Goliath and the Dragon (1960)

La vendetta di Ercole (literally Revenge of Hercules), better known as Goliath and the Dragon, is a 1960 Italian/French international co-production widescreen peplum film starring weight lifter and gymnast Mark Forest in his debut film role and Broderick Crawford as the villain. The identity of the title character was changed from Hercules to Emilius known as Goliath for release in North America by American International Pictures to tie in with their previous use of "Goliath" in Goliath and the Barbarians (1959). The film features special make up by Carlo Rambaldi.

This version, the most widely seen today, was produced by James H. Nicholson and Samuel Z. Arkoff, with Lee Kresel serving as dubbing director. This version was significantly re-edited and contains a stop-motion dragon sequence by Jim Danforth and Wah Chang, which was not part of the original release. Like other American International Pictures releases of Italian made sword and sandal films, it features a new score by AIP's house composer Les Baxter. This version was remastered and distributed by Something Weird Video.

Synopsis

The film begins with Hercules/Goliath/Emilius entering the underworld and defeating several monsters including Cerberus to retrieve the Blood Diamond of the Goddess of Vengeance. It is later revealed that King Eurystheus has sent Hercules/Goliath on this task to ensure his death to gain allies who after Hercules' death will join the King in an attack on Thebes. The episode is loosely based on the twelfth of the Labours of Hercules.

Actors