La Charge de Syracuse

SWORD AND SANDAL or 'pepla/peplum' is a enduring genre of the Italian Cinema. It dates back to the beginning of their efforts and comes and goes in waves. The wave best remembered in the U.S.A. started with STEVE REEVES in HERCULES (1958) released here in 1959 and died out in the mid 1960s'. Hollywood would also make contributions and it's films would generally be better financed and produced. Some becoming enduring Classics.

L'assedio di Siracusa (1960) 'THE SIEGE OF SYRACUSE' is a ambitious attempt to illustrate a era of Historical importance, The Second Punic War (218-201 B.C.E.). It was a divergence from the typical fantasies involving 'Hercules, Goliath, Maciste, Ursus' or whatever the 'Strong-Man' was called for that particular 'minor epic'. Rather it's 'Hero' was one who used brain not brawn to achieve his ends. SYRACUSE is at the apex of the confrontation between ROME and CARTHAGE. ROME has the best Army and has mastered the Sea and wants SYRACUSE to control the Mediterranean and defeat CARTHAGE. SYRACUSE has ARCHIMEDES (287-212 B.C.E.), Genius and Inventor, whose ambitions are to thwart ROME's will and maintain the independence of his State.

International Star Rossano Brazzi issues forth as ARCHIMEDES with his romantic lead DIANA/ARTEMIDE/LUCREZIA played by Tina Louise. Yes, GINGER GRANT of GILLIGAN'S ISLAND (1964-1967). These two (2) characters weave their romantic story through the Military and Political struggles of the time. In in his spare time ARCHIMEDES whips up his 'Solar Death Ray' to defend SYRACUSE by setting fire to the Roman Fleet. In the end SYRACUSE does fall, but true love is not denied. For details watch the film.

Whether ARCHIMEDES did all the things portrayed in the film is problematical. In addition he was killed at the end of the siege and did not go off into the Sunset with his main squeeze. The main problem with the film was the Italian Cinema's 'Reaching Beyond Their Grasp'. The concept of the film was fine and there is nothing wrong with Rossano Brazzi's interpretation of ARCHIMEDES. What was needed here was Hollywood MONEY and production values. Compared to BEN HUR (1959) or SPARTACUS (1960) it comes across as just another Italian 'B' effort with all the typical shortcomings.

A decent peplum loosely based on historical events, dealing with the valiant hero Archimedes : Rossano Brazzi , the man who was 2500 years ahead of his time , concerning his adventures , invents and lovers : Tina Louise , Sylva Koscina in the location of Syracuse . As Syracuse is a neutral place in the long war between Roman Empire and the Chartaginians ; however , things go wrong when at the island a dispute takes place and then Syracuse government and Archimedes are coerced to intervene against Rome . As Syracuse holds a Roman siege between 214 and 212 B. C. resulting in fateful consequences. Amazing Secret Weapon of Archimedes ! . He harnessed the sun's energy to destroy the entire Rome armada !

Acceptable Sword and Sandal movie containing fights , thrills , sword-play , romances and breathtaking sea battles with passable scale model ships . Rossano Brazzi gives a functional acting as the inventor and warrior who faces off betrayals and battles Romans . Depicting the process of creation of the legendary invent that looks like a satellite dish by reflecting the sun's rays and emerging a destructive beam of lights , strong enough to fire the Roman fleet , as well as the famous sentence : ¨ Give me a support point and I will move the world¨. Here stands out the two gorgeous female protagonists , Tina Louise and Sylva Koscina in their total splendor and wearing attractive mini-skirts . Along with a good support cast such as : Alberto Farnese or Albert Farley as Roman consul Marcello , Enrico Maria Salerno , Luciano Marin and Gino Cervi .

It displays a colorful cinematography in Technicolor by Carlo Carlini . As well as an evocative and rousing musical score by Angelo Francesco Lavagnino who composed a lot of soundtracks on all kinds of genres as colossals , Spaghetti Westerns and dramas . The motion picture lavishly produced by Enzo Merolle was professionally directed by Pietro Francisci . He was a good craftsman who directed various historical and Peplum films regarding mytholical and known characters , such as : Anthony of Padua (1945) , Salomon and the Queen of Sabah , Hercules (1958) with Steve Reeves and Sylva Koscina , Hercules and the Queen of Lidia or Hercules unchained (1959) and Athila the scourge of God (1954) with Anthony Quinn and Sophia Loren . The three later films launched the very successful career of Joseph E Levine as a presenter/producer of international films , being hits in the US and all over the world . Rating : 6/10 . Worthwhile watching . The flick will appeal to Peplum enthusiasts .

Archimède's private life is not known .Neither is Marcus Claudius Marcellus's . So a story can be invented from start to finish..And the screenwriters smartly opt for a melodramatic tale , a gripping script,certainly better than that of the average sword and sandals (peplum)standards ;there's no muscle man-which spares us endless fights- but a scientist whose works revolutionized physics and mathematics ,notably about the transcendental number pi.There's no filler ,no exotic erotic dances ;only statuesque Sylva Koscina reminds you of the classic peplum.

Of course there are implausibilities (a Roman patrician adopting an illigitimate child and marrying an unknown woman ,certainly not a high-born lady) ,but the story is well written and sustains interest till the very end .Marcus Claudius Marcellus was a historic figure who really wanted to spare Archimede's life (though their private lives never interfered) but he could not ,because of one of his soldiers' awkwardness .

Tina Louise gives a pretty good performance: her amnesia,cured by the sun which reminds her of her youth with her childhood's friend Archimède,is credible .Rossano Brazzi and Alberto Farnese are convincing as her love interests.On the other hand ,the son (Luciano Marin ) is rather sluggish.

The episode of the attack of the city and the use of the mirrors (using an inclement weather and a rather ominous guy is another good idea) remains impressive even today when special effects go from strength to strength . However many historians think that this episode is pure legend : the scientist did not have at his disposal the means to set the Roman fleet on fire .

But nevertheless,an entertaining peplum ,a must for fans of this genre.

This movie started out as a Historical Action Epic but ended up as a soap-opera with more story about who sleeps with whom instead of battle action. Even though this movie played widely in North America, there doesn't seem to be an English Language print available. (There is an English sub-titled copy on Y/T). This movie looks like a dismal failure after the smashing success of Hercules and Hercules Unchained. Also the later box office hit Hercules, Samson & Ulysses in 1964. The experiments with the "harnessing of the Sun's rays in the movie is the basis of many of today's technologies. Watch it just for the spectacle.

After all the complex love affairs settle. The end line in the movie is DREAMS CANNOT BE REPEATED.

Around the late '50s-early '60s, Tina Louise left Hollywood for Italy to make movies there. She made a couple for director Pietro Francisci of which this was the first. Depending on the condition of her character and whoever addresses her, she's known as either Artemide or Diana or Lucrezia. As Diana, she falls for an inventor named Archimedes (Rossano Brazzi) who works for the king of Syracuse. Archimedes, however, is promised the hand in marriage to the king's daughter, Clio (Sylva Koscina). Since Diana's step brother, Gorgia (Enrico Maria Salerno), is politically ambitious, he makes sure Diana doesn't stay with Archimedes by having her drugged and taken away. On that ship, she loses her memory and lands in Rome where she then falls for General Marcello (Alberto Farnese). It's there that her and Archimedes' son, Marco (Luciano Marin), live with the general as family. While I knew Archimedes was a real-life figure, I wasn't sure about the others so I looked up on Wikipedia and found out many of the characters were made up, not to mention some events as well. Still, even knowing that, I was quite entertained especially during the battle scenes though I detected an amateurish quality among the soldier extras when they were wailing in pain while dying. Otherwise, the dialogue (In Italian with English subtitles) and acting were pretty good for this sort of thing and Ms. Louise isn't too much of a sticking-out figure among Italians except where it counts-her sexiness when she's dancing or her figure when some skin is shown when wearing skimpy clothing. What I didn't like was that the YouTube upload I watched had some abrupt cuts especially since that also abruptly edited some of the beautiful score by Angelo Francesco Lavagino. Still, like I said, I highly enjoyed this movie so on that note, I highly recommend L'assedio di Siracusa or Siege of Syracuse.