GOLIATH AND THE SINS OF BABYLON

Mark Forest as Goliath

GOLIATH AND THE SINS OF BABYLON (aka Maciste, l'eroe pui grande del mondo/1963). Director: Michele Lupo.  

Having lost a war to Babylon, the price of peace for the nation of Nefer is to have thirty virgins sent to the Babylonian king where they are to be sacrificed. Maciste (Mark Forest) -- known as Goliath in this dubbed American print -- joins a group of rebels who are going to take the fight back to Babylon. One of the rebels is Xandros (Giuliano Gemma), who is in love with the Neferian princess Regia (Jose Greci), the niece of King Pergasos (Piero Lulli). Another one of the rebel group is the midget Areto (Arnaldo Fabrizio) who makes a better soldier than expected. But can they win against the whole Babylonian army?

Guiliano Gemma and Mark Forest

Goliath and the Sins of Babylon is a somewhat more elaborate Italian "peplum" movie although this doesn't prevent it from being somewhat cheesy at times. Born in Brooklyn, Mark Forest makes a handsome and muscularly impressive Goliath. The best scene has him tied to a massive slab as spears drop from holes in the ceiling, nearly puncturing his mostly naked body. The battle sequences are realistically chaotic. The production values are at times impressive, but the sets still look like they were set up the day before filming. It's hard to judge the acting in this sort of thing, but everyone at least looks the part. A good score by Francesco De Masi. 

Verdict: More than passable peblum with some good action scenes. **3/4.