Magic Lantern Video & Book Store
Muscle-Head Film Festival
![still of Steve Reeves in "Hercules" [1957]](images/SteveReeves-Hercules-b&w.jpg) |
books about 'muscle-head' movies |
Sword & Sandals movies, Sword & Sorcery movies, heroic Rocky & Rambo movies,
and tales based on the mythologies of the Greek & Roman & Norse gods,
mostly starring bodybuilders with their shirts off . . .
'Sword & Sandals' movie genre entry at Wikipedia
'Sword & Sorcery' movie genre entry at Wikipedia
Books About Muscle-Head Movies
 | "With Fire and Sword: Italian Spectacles On American Screens, 1958-1968" [1994] by Patrick Lucanio Comprehensive study of the English-dubbed 'sword & sandal' Italian spectacles produced in the 1960s, with a filmography of over 300 films, bibliography & index. Scarecrow Press hardcover [6/94] for $79.11 |
 |
"Retro Stud: Muscle Movie Posters From Around The World" [2002] by David Chapman Collectors Press hardcover [10/2002] out of print/used |
 | "The Vikings On Film: Essays On Depictions of The Nordic Middle Ages" [2011] Edited by Kevin J. Harty McFarland & Co. 10x7 pb [4/2011] for $38.00 |
 |
"Of Muscles and Men: Essays On The Sword and Sandal Film" [2011] Edited by Michael G. Cornelius Mcfarland & Co. 9x6 pb [8/2011] for $40.00 |
 | "Classics On Screen: Ancient Greece and Rome On Film" [2012]  by Alastair A. L. Blanshard & Kim Shahabudin Through analysis of ten influential films, this book examines the pervasive representation of Greece and Rome in popular and art-house cinema – a world of virtuous Christians, depraved pagans, gladiators, and muscle-bound demigods – an ancient world mythologized thru a potent mix of sex, violence and art. Duckworth Publrs pb [DUE Jan 2012] for $29.95 |
Muscle-Head Stars
Lou Ferrigno
official Lou Ferrigno site
http://www.amazon.com/Hercules-Adventures-Lou-Ferrigno/dp/B00094ARU0/
"Hercules" [1983]
"The Seven Magnificent Gladiators" [1984]
Italian 'swords & sandals' remake of "The Magnificent Seven" [1960]
"Adventures of Hercules" [1985]
Mickey Hargitay [1926-2006]
also famous as husband (1958-64) of Jayne Mansfield [1933-67]
Bruce Lee [1940-73]
http://www.amazon.com/Bruce-Ultimate-Collection-Dragon-Death/dp/B000A9QK9Q/
Dolph Lundgren
listed as Amazon bestselling action star in 2008
Victor Mature [1913-99]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demetrius_and_the_Gladiators
http://www.amazon.com/Demetrius-Gladiators-Victor-Mature/dp/B000056AXZ/
Brigitte Nielsen
Steve Reeves [1926-2000]
http://www.amazon.com/Steve-Reeves-His-Legacy-Films/dp/B0011V2EU6/
http://www.amazon.com/Steve-Reeves-Jr-Milton-Moore/dp/0960813802/
http://www.amazon.com/Hercules-Collection-Steve-Reeves/dp/B001NFNFK8/
http://www.amazon.com/Steve-Reeves-Collection/dp/B000ZM1MI2/
"Athena" (1954) made in Hollywood
"Hercules" (1958) (The Labors of Hercules)
http://www.amazon.com/Hercules-Steve-Reeves/dp/B00005LKHN/
"Hercules Unchained" (1959) with Sylva Koscina
"Goliath and The Barbarians" (1959) (Terror of the Barbarians)
"The Giant of Marathon" (1959) /tt0052604/
"The Film Crew: The Giant of Marathon" (2007) (V) /tt1177909/
"The Last Days of Pompeii" (1959) (The Last Days of Pompeii)
"The White Warrior" (1959) (Hadji Murad, The White Devil) directed by Riccardo Freda
"Morgan, The Pirate" (1960) (Morgan, the Pirate)
"The Thief of Baghdad" (1961)
"The Trojan Horse" (1961) (The Trojan War)
"Duel of The Titans" (1961) (Romulus And Remus)
"A Long Ride From Hell" spaghetti Western [1968] as star & co-writer
Eugene Sandow [1867-1925]
The first famous performer to appear in front of Edison's camera (in 1894); considered the father of modern bodybuilding.
IMDb listing [1894-96] •
Wikipedia
http://www.amazon.com/Sandow-Magnificent-Beginnings-Bodybuilding-Society/dp/0252073061/
http://www.amazon.com/System-Physical-Training-Eugene-Sandow/dp/1456458256/
watch Library of Congress 1894 silent clip [0:57] free online on YouTube
watch "Eugen Sandow: The Perfect Man" [3:57] free online on YouTube
Arnold Schwarzenegger
listed as Amazon bestselling action star in 2008
"Red Sonja" [1985] starring Arnold Schwarzenegger & Brigitte Nielsen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Sonja_(1985_film)
"Last Stand" [LionsGate/Roadshow 2012? release]
Being filmed in Belén, New Mexico during October 2011; produced by Lorenzo Di Bonaventura; directed
by Jee-Woon Kim; starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jaimie Alexander & Peter Stormare • latest info at IMDb
Steven Seagal
listed as Amazon bestselling action star in 2008
new "Seagalogy" book by Vern ??
Sylvester 'Sly' Stallone
browse DVDs •
official website •
IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
Magic Lantern's Rocky Balboa Page
'Rambo' Movies Section below
Jean-Claude Van Damme from Belgium
listed as Amazon bestselling action star in 2008; known as the 'Muscles From Brussels'
browse Van Damme on DVD • posters • IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
"Bloodsport" []
"Universal Soldier" []
 | "J.C.V.D." [France June 2008, USA Nov 2008]
Action-packed, comedic satire; what will an aging action movie hero do when a gun is put to his head by a real-life bank robber? Co-produced by & starring Jean-Claude Van Damme; co-written & directed by Mabrouk El Mechri Peace Arch Home Ent. widescreen color DVD [4/2009] for $14.99 Peace Arch Home Ent. widescreen color Blu-ray [4/2009] for $25.99 full credits from IMDb • official movie site • movie entry at Wikipedia |
Muscle-Head Characters
Magic Lantern's Rocky Balboa Page
Conan The Cimmerian
Robert E. Howard and Conan the Cimmerian Pages at Spirit of America Bookstore
"Conan 3-D" feature film
[Paradox/LionsGate for Aug 2011 release]
 | Repeat of the basic Conan origin myth, with more/better special effects and in stereoscopic 3-D.
Directed by Marcus Nispel; starring Jason Momoa, Mickey Rourke, Said Taghmaoui, Stephen Lang, Rose McGowan, Rachel Nichols, Ron Perlman & Leo Howard DVD/Blu-ray not yet available full credits at IMDb • official movie site • movie entry at Wikipedia |
G.I. Joe
“G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” []
sequel set for 2011? release
'Maciste' Movies
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maciste
Former strongman Bartolomeo Pagano portrayed Maciste in twenty-eight films from Italy between
1914 and 1927, based on the character introduced in "Cabiria" [1914]. "Maciste In Hell" [1925]
was the most popular film in the silent Maciste series.
John McClane
'Die Hard' movies entry at Wikipedia
"Die Hard" [1988] starring Bruce Willis /tt0095016/
adapted from the 1979 novel "Nothing Lasts Forever" by Roderick Thorp
"Die Hard 2: Die Harder" [1990] /tt0099423/
"Die Hard With A Vengeance" [1995] /tt0112864/
"Live Free or Die Hard" aka "Die Hard 4.0" [2007] /tt0337978/
"Die Hard V: A Good Day To Die Hard" [Fox release Feb 2013?] /tt1606378/ 
Announced 2011: Script by Skip Woods; commercials director Noam Murro hired to direct;
in September, director John Moore hired to replace Murro
'Rambo' Movies
film series entry at Wikipedia
Rambo Wiki website
 | "Rambo: The Complete Collector's Set" DVD & Blu-ray Box Sets [2008]
LionsGate Home Ent. widescreen color Blu-ray set [7/2010] 4 disks for $38.99
LionsGate Home Ent. widescreen color DVD set [5/2008] 6 disks for $32.99 contains 4 feature films: "First Blood" [1982]; "Rambo: First Blood Part II" [1985]; "Rambo III" [1988]; and "Rambo 4" on 2 disks [2008]; extras include Survival Mode option, 16 featurettes, audio commentaries by Sylvester Stallone and directors George P. Cosmatos & Peter MacDonald, deleted scenes, theatrical trailers & more |
"First Blood" [1982]
"Rambo: First Blood Part II" [1985]
LionsGate Home Ent. Extended Cut widescreen color Blu-ray [7/2010] for $7.99
"Rambo III" [1988]
Rambo Trilogy
LionsGate Home Ent. widescreen color Blu-ray [5/2008] 3 disks for $24.99
Artisan Home Ent. widescreen color DVD [11/2004] 3 disks for $18.99
"Rambo 4" [2008] on 2 disks
you will also enjoy
Spirit of America Bookstore's
Edgar Rice Burroughs [1875-1950] Page
Tarzan Movies Page
Lester Dent [1904-59] & Doc Savage Page
Robert E. Howard [1906-36] & Conan the Cimmerian Page
Selected Films, A to Z
 | "Warriors 50 Movie Pack Collection" DVD Box Set [2006]
Mill Creek Ent. DVD set [4/2006] 13 disks for $26.99 contains 50 feature films: "Ali Baba & The Seven Saracens" [1964]; "Atlas In The Land of The Cyclops" [1961]; "The Avenger" [1962] starring Steve Reeves; "Caesar The Conqueror" [1962]; "Cleopatra's Daughter" [1960] starring Debra Paget; "Colossus & The Amazon Queen" [1960] starring Rod Taylor; "Colossus & The Head-hunters" [1963]; "The Conqueror of The Orient" [1960]; "Damon and Pythias" [1962]; "David and Goliath" [1960] with Orson Welles; "Duel of Champions" [1961] with Alan Ladd; "Fire Monsters Against The Son of Hercules" [1962]; "Fury of Achilles" [1962]; "Fury of Hercules" [1962]; "The Giant of Marathon" [1959] starring Steve Reeves; "The Giants of Rome" [1964]; "The Giants of Thessaly" [1960]; "Gladiator of Rome" [1962]; "Goliath & |
|
The Dragon" [1960] with Broderick Crawford;
"Goliath & The Sins of Babylon" [1963];
"Hercules Against The Barbarians" [1964];
"Hercules Against The Mongols" [1963];
"Hercules Against The Moon Men" [1964];
"Hercules & The Captive Women" [1961] with Fay Spain;
"Hercules & The Masked Rider" [1963];
"Hercules & The Princess of Troy" [1965];
"Hercules & The Tyrants of Babylon" [1964]; "Hercules The Invincible" [1964]; "Hercules Unchained" [1959] starring Steve Reeves; "Hero of Rome" [1964]; "Herod The Great" [1959] starring Edmund Purdom; "Kindar The Invulnerable" [1965]; "The Last of The Vikings" [1961] with Edmund Purdom; "Maciste In King Solomon's Mines" [1964]; "Mole Men Against The Son of Hercules" [1961]; "Queen of The Amazons" [??]; "Romu-lus & The Sabines" [1961] starring Roger Moore; "Samson and The Seven Miracles of The World" [1961]; "Son of Samson" [1960]; "Spartacus and The Ten Gladiators" [1964]; "The Ten Gladiators" [1963]; "Thor & The Amazon Women" [1963]; "Triumph of The Son of Hercules" [1961]; "Two Gladiators" [1964]; "Ulysses Against The Son of Hercules" [1962]; "Ursus In the Land of Fire" [1963]; "Ursus In the Valley of The Lions" [1961]; "Vengeance of Ursus" [1961]; "Vulcan, Son of Jupiter" [1962]; and "The White Warrior" [1959] starring Steve Reeves |
 | "Muscle Madness: 5 Big Movies" DVD Box Set [2009] Retromedia widescreen DVD set [5/2009] 3 disks for $22.49 contains 5 widescreen color feature films: "The Giant of Marathon" [1959] starring Steve Reeves; "Colossus and The Amazon Queen" [1960] starring Rod Taylor; "The Avenger" [1962] starring Steve Reeves; "Goliath and The Sins of Babylon" [1963] starring Mark Forest; and "Hercules Against The Moon Men" [1964] starring Alan Steele |
"Barbarian Queen" [studio 1985]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbarian_Queen
"Barbarian Queen II: The Empress Strikes Back" [studio 1989]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbarian_Queen_II:_The_Empress_Strikes_Back
"Erik The Conqueror" [studio 1963]
http://www.amazon.com/Erik-Conqueror-Alice-Kessler/dp/B000RIWB2A/
"The Expendables" [LionsGate Aug 2010]
 | A team of mercenaries hired to assassinate a South American dictator discovers that their mission is a ruse ...
Co-written & directed by Sylvester Stallone; co-written by Dave Callaham; starring Steve Austin, Charisma Carpenter, Randy Couture, Terry Crews, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Eric Roberts, Mickey Rourke, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Bruce Willis & David Zayas
DVD/Blu-ray not yet available full credits at IMDb • movie entry at Wikipedia • official movie site |
"The Expendables 2" [LionsGate release 2012?]
Announced 9/2011: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, producer Sylvester Stallone, and director Simon West
are signed; original cast members Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Mickey Rourke, Terry Crews, Steve Austin
& Jet Li are expected to return, with rumors that Chuck Norris & Jean-Claude Van Damme may also participate
"Fire and Ice" animated feature [studio 1983]
collaboration between Ralph Bakshi and Frank Frazetta
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_and_Ice_(1983_film)
"Gladiator" [studio 19xx]
"Return of The Gladiator" [studio 19xx]
http://www.amazon.com/Return-Gladiator-Albert-Farley/dp/B001SGEUD8/
"Spartacus" [Bryna Prodns / Universal Pictures Oct 1960, restored 1991] /tt0054331/
Co-produced by & starring Kirk Douglas; Directed by Stanley Kubrick & Anthony Mann; script by blacklistee
Dalton Trumbo, based on the novel by blacklistee Howard Fast; original music by Alex North; also starring Laurence
Olivier, Jean Simmons, Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov, Woody Strode, Tony Curtis & George Kennedy
When "Spartacus" was restored & re-issued in 1991, a lost audio track required that expert mimic Anthony Hopkins dub the dialogue for Olivier
"Spartacus" [USA Network / Universal April 2004]
3-hour TV movie /tt0361240/
"Spartacus: Blood and Sand" [Starz Media 2010] /tt1442449/
13-episode TV series broadcast Jan-April 2010 http://www.starz.com/originals/spartacus/bloodandsand
"Spartacus: Gods of The Arena" [Starz Media 2011] /tt1758429/
6-episode TV series broadcast Jan-Feb 2011 http://www.starz.com/originals/spartacus/godsofthearena
spinoff "Spartacus: Vengeance" [Starz Media Jan 2012]
"Spartacus {untitled season 3}" [Starz Media 2012]
Announced 11/2011: http://www.starz.com/originals/spartacus/
"Thor" [Marvel Studios 2011]
Kenneth Branagh directed this year’s “Thor”, which grossed more than $448 million worldwide.
"Thor 2" [Marvel Studios 2012?]
Announced 10/2011: Marvel has hired director Patty Jenkins for “Thor 2”; Marvel’s Kevin Feige will
produce; Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman & Tom Hiddleston are signed to star.
"Turok, Son of Stone: A Legend Is Born"
[Starz Media video release Feb 2008]
 | Animated feature based on the popular comics series; film covers the origin story of Turok, with his pals Andar, Nashoba and Catori back in the Stone Age when dinosaurs and brutal cave men roamed the world. Supervising director Tad Stones; voices of Adam Beach, Irene Bedard, Gil Birmingham, Adam G. & Robert Knepper
Classic Media widescreen color DVD [2/2008] for $7.93 full credits at IMDb • Turok entry at Wikipedia |
 | "Turok: Son of Stone Archives" [2009+] by Alberto Giolitti, Paul S. Newman & Matthew H. Murphy Volume 1 (6 issues): Dark Horse 10½x7 hardcover [3/2009] for $31.49 Volume 2 (6 issues): Dark Horse 10½x7 hardcover [7/2009] for $36.45 Volume 3 (6 issues): Dark Horse 10½x7 hardcover [8/2009] for $37.96 Volume 4 (6 issues 1960-61): Dark Horse 10½x7 hardcover [11/2009] for $37.96 Volume 5 (6 issues): Dark Horse 10½x7 hardcover [3/2010] for $36.49 Volume 6 (6 issues): Dark Horse 10½x7 hardcover [7/2010] for $31.49 Volume 7 (6 issues, 1964-65): Dark Horse 10½x7 hardcover [11/2010] for $36.49 Volume 8 (6 issues, 1965-66): Dark Horse 10½x7 hardcover [5/2011] for $31.49 |
"The Vanguard" [release 2012?]
Announced 7/2011: Two Viking warriors banished to North America embark on the dangerous return to
their native Sweden; script by Chris Boal, starring Alexander Skarsgard • not yet listed on IMDb
"The Viking" [1928 color silent feature] /tt0019532/
"The Viking Sagas" [studio 1995]
http://www.amazon.com/Viking-Sagas-Ralf-Moeller/dp/B000FUF7B2/
"The Vikings" [M.G.M. June 1958] /tt0052365/
Directed by Richard Fleischer; script by Calder Willingham & Dale Wasserman, based on the Edison Marshall
novel "The Viking"; starring Kirk Douglas, Tony Curtis, Ernest Borgnine & Janet Leigh
"Vikings" [M.G.M. 2012?]
Announced 5/2011: 10-episode drama series about Viking hero Ragnar Lodbrok
Links
'Sword & Sandals' movie genre entry at Wikipedia
'Sword & Sorcery' movie genre entry at Wikipedia
article "The Many Faces of Hercules"
Visit Our Other Online Film Festival Pages
Afro-American Film Festival Pages at Magic Lantern
Atomic Film Festival Page at Spirit of America
Ayn Rand Film Festival at Magic Lantern
Beatnik Film Festival at Maison d'Être Philosophy Bookstore
'Biker Movies' Film Festival at Magic Lantern
Culver City, California Film Festival
Economics Film Festival at Maison d'Être Philosophy Bookstore
Education Film Festival at Magic Lantern
Existentialist Film Festival at Maison d'Être Philosophy Bookstore
Films Noir Festival at BlackHat Mystery Bookstore
Gangster Film Festival at Magic Lantern
Hollywood Film Festival at Magic Lantern
Human Rights Film Festival at Magic Lantern
Labor Movement Film Festival at Spirit of America
Movie Musicals Film Festival at Magic Lantern
Magic Lantern's Muscle-Head Film Festival «« you are here
Native American Film Festival at 'Readers of The Purple Sage'
Oscar-Winning Western Movies Page at 'Readers of the Purple Sage'
Philosophy Film Festival at Maison d'Être Philosophy Bookstore
Pirate Film Festival at Magic Lantern
Political Film Festival at Magic Lantern
Railroad Film Festival at Spirit of America
'Rat Race' Film Festival at Magic Lantern
Road Movies Film Festival at Magic Lantern
Samurai Films at Magic Lantern
'Shakespeare On Film' Festival at Magic Lantern
Sherlock Holmes Film Festival at BlackHat Mystery Bookstore
Sports Film Festival Pages at Magic Lantern
War [& Anti-War] Film Festival Pages at Magic Lantern
Western Movies Film Festival at 'Readers of the Purple Sage'
... and others on the Online Film Festivals Index Page
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