Le tyran de Syracuse

It's 400 BCE Greece. Protheus led the peaceful freedom-loving Pythagorian society in Athens until his death. Pythias is ordered to Syracuse, and recruit Arcanos to be their new leader. Only, Arcanos is hiding from city dictator Dionysius the Tyrant and and Cariso, the captain of the guards. In Syracuse, Pythias gets robbed by bandit Damon and they end up escaping together from the guards.

This is an Italian spaghetti toga epic based on an ancient Greek story. The first half of the movie is too slow. A spaghetti sword and sandal needs to have more action. It's an hour before there is a truly good action scene and it's a really good one. I love the western-like stunts. Some of them actually look dangerous. The stuntman could have been hurt by the flipping cart. Otherwise, I never connected with these characters.

Although I had heard of the titular historical characters – probably from a Greek mythology class I sat for in Secondary School – I had never read or seen their tale until now, via this rather lifeless and turgid peplum that was, until some time ago, a staple of TCM UK's schedule. The leads are likable enough as played by Guy Williams (from Disney's "Zorro" TV-series in his penultimate theatrical feature) and Don Burnett (also in his next-to-last film, he was a dead ringer for Rock Hudson but much less charismatic), their inevitable love interests are, respectively, attractive (Liana Orfei) and histrionic (Ilaria Occhini), while the villainous Tyrant of Syracuse (the film's original Italian title) was portrayed by a favorite Italian character actor who made his fair share of these things – Arnoldo Foa' who also speaks his own lines in serviceable English! Actually, the latter's belated introduction breathes new life into the film making the second half far more compelling as Greek Burnett defies his Sicilian enemies to prove that his Pythagorian creed of "The Brotherhood of Man" (perpetrated by persecuted philosopher Andrea Bosic) by replacing Sicilian thief Williams who has, uncharacteristically, exchanged places with Burnett on the executioner's block because of the latter's impending fatherhood! Therefore, it is rather unfortunate that, despite some interesting international credentials in the direction (German Bernhardt, who would curiously himself retire after making just one more film!) and screen writing (British playwright Bridget Boland and Hollywood veteran Samuel Marx) departments, DAMON AND PYTHIAS does not emerge a better movie in the long run – even when compared to most of the less-than-inspired product along the same lines being churned out by contemporary Italian B-grade film-makers.

Face the punishment of death or a friend that is a thief and liar (willing to lie and pretend to be a hostage). Not much of a choice, the only other choice I can think of would be suicide or to get the heck out of there fast, leave the country quickly and forget both. lol.

This is the story of "all men are brothers", treat each other right. Damon and Pythias of Greek mythology - the story of morality.

It's okay but moves at a snail's pace. I guess because there wasn't quite enough material for a typical full length film of the time era so they drug out the original story.

2/10

This ambitious "sword and sandal" film gives a retelling of the story of two men, Damon and Pythias, brought together despite their two very opposite personalities. Damon, played with some heart and pluck by Guy Williams, is a wastrel, a thief, and beloved by all the people that have like lives. He has, initially no love for things like honor or duty. Pythias, played decently by Don Burnett, is the epitome of the honorable Roman out to do what is right no matter what hardships lie ahead. Well, the two become friends and face a common foe - to spin a long story short. Damon and Pythias is not a bad film despite its sluggish opening pace. The director tries to give his characters depth though they really are never explored deeply because of the limitations of the two actors. Williams is always fun to watch, however. After the first two-thirds of the film, things start to heat up - but really not enough to recommend this film. It does at the very least have a message and is full of heart - not something one sees a lot in this genre. If you are looking for lots of fighting and supernatural beasts, look elsewhere!

Damon And Pythias the retelling of the legendary friendship from Greek mythology is a cut above the usual peplum product from Italy at the time. It benefits a bit from Hollywood director Curtis Bernhardt although the film is way too slow. A lot from the first half of the movie could have been cut.

Pythias as played by Don Burnett is on a mission from Athens to Syracuse where he's to fetch back the Pythagorean field man in Syracuse back to the home office in Athens. In Athens the school of Pythagoras is a respected form of philosophy, Syracuse they're considered a dangerous cult and hunted down by its ruler Dionysius played by Arnaldo Foa.

While in Syracuse Burnett meets up with Guy Williams playing Damon who is a rogue in a manner befitting Errol Flynn. But Williams is a jaded sort and he sees Burnett really walks the walk in the philosophy of universal brotherhood that the Pythagoreans preach. It's not quite as simple as that, but the Pythagoreans here are presented as a forerunner of Christianity.

It all gets put to the test when Burnett is caught by Foa and Williams offers himself up as hostage in his place so Burnett can return to Athens to care for his sick wife. Foa decided to let him go through with it, thinking that no one would be dumb enough to return once free and that would discredit the philosophy which is finding favor in Syracuse.

Williams and Burnett were a pair of refugees from television, Burnett had done the Northwest Passage television show and Williams had just finished his run with Walt Disney's Zorro. Damon And Pythias never did establish them as film stars. Williams came along twenty years too late, in the thirties he could have been another Errol Flynn. He would have a run with Lost In Space after this film. Both their careers had petered out by the Seventies.

Damon And Pythias is a bit more literate than the usual peplum item. But it is also sluggish and dull in spots. It's a curiosity nevertheless and might be worth a look.