Sword-and-sandal - Sword-and-sandal Films From The 1980s

Sword-and-sandal Films From The 1980s

After the peplum gave way to the Spaghetti Western and Eurospy films in 1965, the genre lay dormant for close to 20 years. Then in 1982, the box-office success of Arnold Schwarzenegger's Conan the Barbarian spurred a second renaissance of sword and sorcery Italian pepla in the five years immediately following. Most notable among them were the four Ator films, starring Miles O'Keefe in the lead role.

Most of these films had low budgets, focusing more on barbarians and pirates so as to avoid the need for expensive sets. The filmmakers tried to compensate for their shortcomings with the addition of some graphic gore and nudity. Many of these 1980s entries were helmed by noted Italian horror film directors, and many featured Lou Ferrigno or Sabrina Siani. Here is a list of the 1980s peplums:

• Ator, the Fighting Eagle (1983) a.k.a. Ator the Invincible, starring Miles O'Keefe & Sabrina Siani, directed by Joe D'Amato
• Ator 2: The Blademaster (1985) a.k.a. Blademaster, a.k.a. Cave Dwellers, starring Miles O'Keefe, directed by Joe D'Amato
• Ator 3: Iron Warrior (1986) a.k.a. Iron Warrior, starring Miles O'Keefe, directed by Alfonso Brescia (Joe D'Amato disowned this entry in the Ator saga since it was done without his involvement)
• Ator 4: Quest for the Mighty Sword (1989) a.k.a. The Quest for the Mighty Sword, starring Eric Allan Kramer (as the Son of Ator), Laura Gemser & Marisa Mell, directed by Joe D'Amato
• Barbarian Master (1984) a.k.a. Sangraal, the Sword of Fire, a.k.a. Sword of the Barbarians, starring Sabrina Siani
• The Barbarians and Co. (1987) a.k.a. The Barbarians, semi-comedy starring Peter and David Paul, directed by Ruggero Deodato
• Conquest (1984) a.k.a. Conquest of the Lost Land, starring Sabrina Siani, directed by Lucio Fulci
• Genghis Khan: The Story of a Lifetime (1993) starring Charlton Heston & John Saxon (this film was only released years later in 2004)
• Hercules (1983) starring Lou Ferrigno and Sybil Danning, directed by Luigi Cozzi
• Hercules 2 (1984) a.k.a. The Adventures of Hercules, starring Lou Ferrigno, directed by Luigi Cozzi
• The Invincible Barbarian (1982) aka Gunan, the Warrior, starring Sabrina Siani, directed by Franco Prosperi
• Ironmaster (1983) a.k.a. The War of Iron, co-starring Luigi Montefiore, directed by Umberto Lenzi
• Seven Magnificent Gladiators (1985) starring Lou Ferrigno and Dan Vadis
• She (1983) starring Sandahl Bergman and Gordon Mitchell
• Sinbad of the Seven Seas (1988) starring Lou Ferrigno, directed by Luigi Cozzi
• Thor, the Conqueror (1983)
• Throne of Fire (1983) starring Sabrina Siani, directed by Franco Prosperi