MovieChat Forums > Ulisse Discussion > A Wonderful Film !

A Wonderful Film !


I saw this gem back in the middle 50's and the images and the sound never leave me.
This film was done exceedingly well w\perfect casting in the guise of Kirk Douglas:somehow he gets under the skin of the character and breathes life into him !
The color is beguiling and there is poetry throughout with scenes which take a person to another dimension...another time...an exotic distraction.
I like Tony Quinn though he receives short shrifting because he appears too little.But he nevertheless struts his machismo and that is duly noted !
This version has never been improved on;Armand Assante's 1997 effort is more than passable but feels not as dreamlike as it could be.
Be that as it may,Kirk's the Man and Italy spent some serious money in this 1954 undertaking...and the ending with Penelope is heartachingly moving with a tinge of bittersweet;

Sadly,they don't quite make'em like this "no more"
>

reply

Absolutely charming. Kirk Douglas' physicality is as exciting as that of the acrobatic Burt Lancaster's in his Crimson Pirate days, although Lancaster camped up those films for maximum humorous effect. It's amazing how beautifully rendered this adaption is of such a difficult tale to spin. The locations were gorgeous and they convinced you to believe that you actually were in ancient times. But the acting itself was so well choreographed it's become a recognizable classic of the mid-fifties. And Kirk Douglas was as remarkable as he usually is. Never once can you catch him as a Jewish New Yorker "acting" as an ancient Greek sea captain and warrior. He's always true to his character.

reply

...good point : Kirk is totally in the role-which is why i think his career is not lauded even more than it has been...sure he has garnered awards,but his smooth(authentic)acting sometimes make it appear too easy as,for example,Cary Grant's persona and elan,which,again,i believe,people as a whole take for granted(no pun intended).

reply

...as has been stated previously,Kirk is in character and perfectly cast as Homer's epic hero.

The 50's were good to Monseuir Douglas and after Spartacus the good roles dried up-so,in a sense,we are seeing Kirk in primo form : unforgettable and formidable >>>

reply