Introduction
Ulysses (Italian: Ulisse) is a 1954 Italian fantasy-adventure film based on Homer’s epic poem Odyssey.
In the film Silvana Mangano plays two roles, as Penelope, the faithful wife of Ulysses and the sorceress, Circe.
American star Kirk Douglas plays the Greek hero, Ulysses. Anthony Quinn plays Antinous.
The tremendous success of this film led to the making of Hercules (1957), which was credited with igniting the Italian peplum craze of the 1960s.
Outline
The story is about Ulysses’ efforts to return to his home after the end of the Trojan war, and the adventures that befell him.
The movie begins with Eurycleia saying to some women in Ulysses’ home that Penelope is in charge of the household. Eurycleia tells the women not to consort with the suitors. Penelope has promised under pressure to marry one of her many suitors, who squander the wealth and land of Ulysses. She holds them off by telling them she first wants to finish her tapestry, but she unweaves it every night to stall. Telemachus, the son of Ulysses and Penelope, is sick of the suitors’ behaviour and decides to search for his father. Ulysses has stranded in the land of Alcinous and is found by Nausicaa.
Trivia
The movie was directed by Mario Camerini, who co-wrote the screenplay with writer Franco Brusati.
The original choice for director was Georg Wilhelm Pabst but he quit at the last minute.
The film’s cinematographer Mario Bava co-directed the Polyphemus Cyclops segment (uncredited).
Production & Filming Details
- Director(s): Mario Camerini and Mario Bava (uncredited).
- Producer(s): Dino De Laurentis and Carlo Ponti.
- Writer(s): Franco Brusati, Mario Camerini, Ennio De Concini, Hugh Gray, Ben Hecht, Ivo Perilli, and Irwin Shaw.
- Music: Alessandro Cicognini.
- Cinematography: Harold Rosson and Mario Bava (uncredited).
- Editor(s): Leo Catozzo.
- Production: Lux Film.
- Distributor(s): Paramount Pictures.
- Release Date: 06 October 1954 (Italy) and 17 August 1955 (US).
- Running Time: 117 minutes.
- Country: US.
- Language: English and Italian.
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