So, before Enzo Castellari, Lucio Fulci etc, we have a nutso film where muscle man Maciste is drawn to hell to be corrupted. A silent film, no less, but full of mental imagery that is worth a look.
For instance, at one point Maciste punches a guy's head clean off, only for it to land on a pitch fork, re-heal itself, then get tossed back to the headless body to be re-attached! That's good stuff right there. Also, Maciste takes a ride on a dragon at some point and meets Lucifer and other folk.
At first I thought this silent film was a bit too heavy on the text, but you've got to admire the sheer ambition in the old visionary aspects, so I've marked the film up for that. I've watched quite a few silent films recently and there's always an emphasis on spectacle that makes them worth watching. This is no exception.
Docked points for a) Not having built a time machine to get Massimo Vanni in it and b) Not having Edwige Fenech in it.
Made before the Cinecitta existed!
For instance, at one point Maciste punches a guy's head clean off, only for it to land on a pitch fork, re-heal itself, then get tossed back to the headless body to be re-attached! That's good stuff right there. Also, Maciste takes a ride on a dragon at some point and meets Lucifer and other folk.
At first I thought this silent film was a bit too heavy on the text, but you've got to admire the sheer ambition in the old visionary aspects, so I've marked the film up for that. I've watched quite a few silent films recently and there's always an emphasis on spectacle that makes them worth watching. This is no exception.
Docked points for a) Not having built a time machine to get Massimo Vanni in it and b) Not having Edwige Fenech in it.
Made before the Cinecitta existed!