Venus_Against_the_Son_of_Hercules Knowpia

Venus Against the Son of Hercules
Venus Against the Son of Hercules
Directed by	Marcello Baldi
Screenplay by	Marcello Baldi; Sandro Continenza;
Story by	Ernesto Gastaldi; Ugo Guerra;
Starring	Roger Browne; Joceyln Lane; Linda Sini; Dante DiPaolo;
Cinematography	Marcello Masciocchi
Edited by	Maurizio Lucidi
Production; companies	Galatea Film; Incei Film; SpA Cinematografica;
Release date	24 June 1962 (Italy);
Running time	98 minutes
Country	Italy

Venus Against the Son of Hercules (Italian: Marte, dio della guerra, also known as Mars, God of War and The Son of Hercules vs. Venus) is a 1962 Italian peplum film written and directed by Marcello Baldi and starring Roger Browne and Jackie Lane.^[2]^[3]

Plot edit

Mars descends from Mount Olympus to earth to defend a kingdom besieged by invaders led by an African warlord named Afros. The warlord threatens to destroy the kingdom's capital unless they surrender. Antarus, a corrupt and ambitious member of the king's court conspires to become king. His plans include a deal with Afros and marrying Ecuba, daughter of the king. He is distracted by the beautiful maiden Daphne, whose father the king's emissary was recently killed by Afros during the midst of a parley. Afros is killed in a duel with Mars and his army is scattered during a siege. Antarus continues his plot to become king while maneuvering his pawns in court.

Mars rescues Daphne from a couple of Afros' men during her attempt to recover her father's body on the roadside. After falling in love at first sight with Daphne, Mars reluctantly returns to Olympus to reunite with Venus, who he accuses of deceiving him to look like Daphne on earth. Venus releases Ares, explaining her beauty and grace exists in all mortal women including Daphne who she recognizes Mars is profoundly in love with. He returns to earth in time to learn that Daphne has been condemned to be sacrificed to a carnivorous plant monster alongside a deaf-mute slave girl accused of murdering Ecuba (who was killed by Antarus). Mars arrives with heroic timing to save the women from sacrifice but Daphne is fatally shot with an arrow by Antarus who followed after Mars to kill him. The two fight and Antarus is subsequently cornered and devoured by the monstrous plant. Recognizing Mars' eternal love for Daphne, Jupiter answers his son's prayer and spares her life as she appears waiting in a white chariot. Mars joins her and bids farewell to the king and his people who arrived at the sacrificial site in time to see the pair ride off into the heavens presumably to live on Mount Olympus forever.

Cast edit

Release edit

Venus Against the Son of Hercules was released in Italy on 24 June 1962.^[1] The film was also released as The Son of Hercules vs. Venus and Mars, God of War.^[1]

References edit

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ Kinnard & Crnkovich 2017, p. 113.
^ Michele Giordano. Giganti buoni. Gremese Editore, 1998. ISBN 8877421835.
^ Marco Giusti, Steve Della Casa. Il grande libro di Ercole. Il cinema mitologico in Italia. Edizioni Sabinae - Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia, 2013. ISBN 9788898623051.