Between 1957 and 1965 over 300 “sword and sandal” (aka “peplum”) movies were made by Italian studios. They were cheaply made, of poor quality and notable for featuring a number of acting bodybuilders (Steve Reeves being the most famous) along with evil tyrants, angry beasts, scenes of torture, trials of strength, damsels in distress and scheming queens, all badly acted and terribly dubbed. They were largely forgotten…until now !

On Monday, August 14th Depot’s own Robert Senior will be presenting a free talk on the history of the Peplum followed by a screening of Pietra Francisci’s Hercules, Samson and Ulysses (1963), in which Hercules (Kirk Morris) battles it out with Samson (Richard Lloyd) while Delilah (Liana Orfei) attempts to seduce them both. Expect rippling biceps, polystyrene rocks and probably the worst sea monster ever created.