Silent Peplum/Sword and Sandal Films
Extant silent films set in antiquity
List activity
292 views
• 0 this weekCreate a new list
List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
60 titles
- DirectorMario CaseriniEleuterio RodolfiStarsFernanda Negri PougetEugenia Tettoni FiorUbaldo StefaniTwo love triangles intersect in ancient Pompei.
- DirectorCharles L. GaskillStarsHelen GardnerPearl SindelarMiss FieldingThe fabled queen of Egypt's affair with Roman general Marc Antony is ultimately disastrous for both of them.Setting: Egypt
Where to get: Web Archive - DirectorEnrico GuazzoniStarsGianna Terribili-GonzalesAmleto NovelliIgnazio LupiAfter the murder of her lover Julius Caesar, Egypt's queen Cleopatra needs a new ally. She seduces his probable successor Mark Antony. This develops into real love and slowly leads to a war with the other possible successor, Octavius.
- DirectorErnst LubitschStarsEmil JanningsHarry LiedtkePaul BiensfeldtThe Ethiopian King offers his daughter to a powerful Pharaoh to secure peace between the two countries.
- DirectorEnrico GuazzoniStarsRina De LiguoroGianna Terribili-GonzalesLucia ZanussiSpectacle in the expected silent Italian style with elaborate sets, athletic events, and a notorious Roman empress lusting after a Persian slave who drives chariots.Re-release with sound available
- DirectorEnrico GuazzoniStarsAmleto NovelliBruto CastellaniIrene MattaliaThe growing ambition of Julius Caesar is a source of major concern to his close friend Brutus. Cassius persuades him to participate in his plot to assassinate Caesar but they have both sorely underestimated Mark Antony.
- DirectorEnrico GuazzoniStarsAmleto NovelliGustavo SerenaCarlo CattaneoAn epic Italian film, "Quo Vadis" influenced many of the later movies.
- DirectorGiovanni Enrico VidaliStarsMario Guaita-AusoniaCristina RuspoliEnrico BracciSpartacus sold as a slave rises up and battles the evil Crassus.
- DirectorGabriellino D'AnnunzioGeorg JacobyStarsEmil JanningsElena SangroRina De LiguoroIn Rome, during the reign of Nero, a young pagan general named Marcus Vinicius falls in love with a beautiful Christian hostage named Licia. Their love appears to be impossible, because of the conflict of their religions. Nero burns the city of Rome and blames the Christians, already hated by the pagan Romans.Partially available
- DirectorArturo AmbrosioLuigi MaggiStarsAlberto CapozziLydia De RobertiMirra PrincipiRoman emperor Nero is used to getting what he wants. He has grown tired of his wife Octavia, and has become infatuated with Poppea. He succeeds in making Poppea the new empress, but soon he faces opposition from an outraged populace.
- DirectorCarmine GalloneAmleto PalermiStarsVictor VarconiRina De LiguoroMaría CordaEpic, melodramatic and rather risque adaptation of the British novel about ancient Roman decadence, culminates in the eruption of a nearby volcano.Partially available on cheapo DVD with the Steve Reeve's version
- DirectorUgo FalenaStarsCiro GalvaniCarlo DuseClotilde De MariaRomulus, the founder of Rome, and his compatriots are entertaining the daughters of their neighbors, the Sabines, at a feast when at a given signal the Sabine women are made prisoners. Ersilia, the daughter of the Sabine king, falls in love with Romulus and man of the others marry the Roman warriors. Ersilia's father makes an attack on Romulus and is killed by him. The Sabines decide to avenge the death of their ruler and are assisted by a Roman girl, daughter of the custodian of the citadel. She poisons the sentries and leads the Sabines into the city, where they attack the Romans. The Sabine maidens, however, seeing their fathers and brothers fighting with their husbands, interfere and stop the battle and join the hands of the two bands of enemies in friendship. The real scenes where the events actually took place are given, for the film was made in Rome amidst the most beautiful natural scenery.
- DirectorLouis FeuilladeStarsYvette AndréyorRenée CarlLuitz-MoratThe son of Emperor Nero's poisoner drinks the fatal potion prepared by his mother.
- DirectorLouis FeuilladeStarsJean AyméLouise LagrangeLuitz-MoratThe dissolute Emperor Heliogabalus dresses as a woman, and looses lions among his guests.
- DirectorFrancesco BertoliniGiuseppe de LiguoroAdolfo PadovanStarsGiuseppe de LiguoroEugenia Tettoni FiorUbaldo Maria Del ColleFilm adaptation of Homer's 'The Odyssey.'
- DirectorManfred NoaStarsEdy DarcleaVladimir GajdarovAlbert SteinrückHelena is a 1924 German silent drama film directed by Manfred Noa and starring Edy Darclea, Vladimir Gajdarov and Albert Steinrück.
- DirectorLuigi Romano BorgnettoGiovanni PastroneStarsLuigi Romano BorgnettoGiovanni CasaleggioMadame DavesnesOne of the first epics on the History of Movies, it tells the story of the Fall of Troy: Paris seduces Helen, queen of Sparta, and takes her to Troy, city state of his father, King Priam. The Greeks declare war against the Trojans, and after ten years of siege finally manage to invade the city with a wooden horse.
- DirectorOtis TurnerStarsWilliam WorthingtonHerbert RawlinsonCleo MadisonAfter a prologue which shows several aerial views of the Acropolis, the story begins. The friendship of Damon, the senator, and Pythias, the soldier, is famous in Ancient Syracuse. Because the general Dionysius is infatuated with Calanthe, Pythias' sweetheart, he sends the soldier to fight the Carthaginians at the Battle of Agrigentum. Pythias returns in triumph, and then angers Dionysius even further when he defeats Aristle, the general's favorite, in a chariot race. During the wedding ceremony for Pythias and Calanthe, Dionysius has himself proclaimed sovereign while Damon is absent from the Senate. Shocked, Damon attempts to assassinate Dionysius, but he fails and is sentenced to death. In order for Damon to say goodbye to his wife and son, Pythias leaves Calanthe and takes his friend's place in prison, offering to die in Damon's place if he does not return. Despite several tests of the strength of their friendship, they remain loyal to each other and so impress Dionysius that he allows them both Free.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsBrief "trick film" in which Zeus and two other gods romp with dancing girls on Olympian clouds.
- DirectorRaoul WalshStarsDouglas FairbanksJulanne JohnstonSnitz EdwardsA recalcitrant thief vies with a duplicitous Mongol ruler for the hand of a beautiful princess.
- DirectorD.W. GriffithStarsLillian GishRobert HarronMae MarshThe story of a poor young woman separated by prejudice from her husband and baby is interwoven with tales of intolerance from throughout history.
- DirectorD.W. GriffithStarsConstance TalmadgeTully MarshallAlfred PagetIn the last days of ancient Babylon, a tomboyish mountain girl fights for her king when the city is attacked.
- DirectorGiovanni PastroneStarsItalia Almirante-ManziniLidia QuarantaBartolomeo PaganoCabiria is a Roman child when her home is destroyed by a volcano. Sold in Carthage to be sacrificed in a temple, she is saved by Fulvio, a Roman spy. But danger lurks, and hatred between Rome and Carthage can only lead to war.
- DirectorDomenico GaidoStarsSuzanne De LabroyMario Guaita-AusoniaCristina RuspoliThe story relates how Salambo, daughter of Amilcar, ruler of Carthage, and Priestess of Tanit, is the keeper of the Sacred Veil "on which human eyes must not gaze." She falls in love with Matho, a slave, who becomes the leader of a band of mercenaries, fighting for Carthage against Rome. Matho steals the sacred veil and Salambo is ordered by the priests to reclaim it. The lovers meet in Matho's tent and Salambo recovers the sacred veil. Matho is made a prisoner by the Carthaginians through the treachery of Narr Havas, who is rewarded by Amilcar for his treachery by the hand of his daughter, Salambo. Matho escapes from prison and death, and the Oracle of Tanit is made to declare, by the instrumentality of Spendius, Matho's faithful slave, that Matho is acceptable to the God and one day shall govern Carthage. Salambo, who has protested against her marriage to Narr Havas, whom she does not love, is thereupon given by Amilcar, her father, to Matho and the marriage ceremony is celebrated with much pomp.
- DirectorMichael CurtizDarryl F. ZanuckStarsDolores CostelloGeorge O'BrienNoah BeeryThe Biblical story of Noah and the Great Flood, with a parallel story of soldiers in the First World War.
- DirectorCharles BryantAlla NazimovaStarsAlla NazimovaNigel De BrulierMitchell LewisSalome, the daughter of Herodias, seduces her step-father/uncle Herod, governor of Judea, with a salacious dance. In return, he promises her the head of the prophet John the Baptist.
- DirectorD.W. GriffithStarsBlanche SweetHenry B. WalthallMae MarshA religious woman seeks to save her people from destruction by seducing and murdering the enemy leader, but her plans get complicated once she falls for him.
- DirectorFred NibloCharles BrabinChristy CabanneStarsRamon NovarroFrancis X. BushmanMay McAvoyA Jewish prince seeks to find his family and revenge himself upon his childhood friend who had him wrongly imprisoned.
- DirectorSidney OlcottFrank Oakes RoseStarsGene GauntierHarry T. MoreyWilliam S. HartThe scene opens with an assembly of citizens who are harangued by one of their number, whose words have great weight with the crowd, and their attitude of approval shows that Roman misrule in Jerusalem has reached its climax. Heralds now approach and Roman soldiers beat back the crowd to make way for the approach of the Roman Procurator. The scene changes to the home of Ben Hur, who is seen with his sister and mother on the house top. The cavalcade of Roman troops approaches, and to get a near view Ben Hur leans from the coping and knocks down one of the stones thereof onto the shoulder of the Procurator. This is seen and misconstrued by the Governor, who orders soldiers to arrest the inmates; they, after ineffectual pleas and struggles, are carried off. Ben Hur is consigned to the galleys, where he is loaded with chains. Here he signalizes himself by saving the life of Arrias, who publicly adopts him as his son and proclaims him a Roman citizen amidst the acclamations of the assembled crowd in the forum. Now comes the scene in the games where Ben Hur is challenged by Messala, and accepts it, to the great delight of the citizens. The chariots and athletes parade before the dais and in due time are arranged, and the chariot race commences. Three times 'round the ring dash the chariots, and at the fourth turn Ben Hur comes out the victor and is crowned with the wreath, to the great, chagrin of Messala, who is borne on a stretcher, wounded to death.
- DirectorMichael CurtizStarsGeorg ReimersVictor VarconiLucy DoraineWhen the old multimillionaire Jackson Harber wants to marry the young model Mary, she hesitates, but her mother convinces her that this is her chance to lead a life in luxury and leisure. The engagement is celebrated with an extravagant party at his estate, which is a gigantic palace and park in oriental style. His son Eduard arrives from Cambridge, accompanied by a priest, who is his tutor. The priest is disgusted by the bacchanalian reveling and womanizing going on everywhere. Mary's adorer, the sculptor Harry Lighton, tries to convince her to break the engagement. When she refuses, he shoots himself and is seriously injured. Mary falls asleep and is transported in her dream to the Biblical story of Sodom and Gomorrah. In the dream she sees herself as the wife of Lot, leaving her husband to play a central role in the excessive rites of the goddess Astarte. An angel arrives and leads Lot and his wife out of Sodom, just when the city starts to collapse. Lot's wife cannot resist looking back, and is because of her disobedience converted into a pillar of salt. The dream opens the eyes of Mary, and when she wakens, she leaves the party and hastens to Harry in the hospital.
- DirectorMichael CurtizStarsMaría CordaAdelqui MigliarArlette MarchalEgypt, circa 1230 BC. Israelites are inslaved, and the jewish girl Merapi falls in love with egyptian prince Seti, son of pharaoh Merneptah., which creates a lot of problems. By the end, Moses leads his people away from Egypt.
- DirectorCecil B. DeMilleStarsH.B. WarnerDorothy CummingErnest TorrenceJesus Christ faces religious and political oppression during his ministry and in the days before his death and resurrection.
- DirectorLucien NonguetFerdinand ZeccaStarsMadame MoreauMonsieur MoreauThe story of Jesus Christ from the proclamation of his Nativity to his crucifixion. Impressive scenes and dynamism of the actors prelude to the Italian colossal movies of the silent period.
- DirectorEdward F. ClineBuster KeatonStarsBuster KeatonMargaret LeahyWallace BeeryThe misadventures of Buster in three separate historical periods.
- DirectorLupino LaneStarsLupino LaneWallace LupinoAnita GarvinBelle-Hure and Horatio Babaorum escape from a Roman galley only to land in a Roman palace where they indulge in their antique antics!
- DirectorLouis FeuilladeStarsLéonce PerretAlice Tissot
- DirectorLarry SemonStarsLarry SemonMadge KirbyPietro AramondoSome villains plan the downfall of Caesar, but the emperor trades places with a young minstrel who looks exactly like him.
- DirectorAlexander KordaStarsMaría CordaLewis StoneRicardo CortezQueen Helen of Troy, in response to her husband Menelaus' lack of interest in her, elopes with Paris to Sparta. Menelaus, egged on by his henchman, starts a war with Paris, finally effecting the return of Helen. The time-honored custom demands that he have the pleasure of killing her, but her seductive loveliness restrains him.Partially survives
- DirectorJacques FeyderStarsJean AngeloGeorges MelchiorMarie-Louise IribeTwo men, lost in the desert, meet Queen Antinea, ruler of Atlantis.Fantasy film so it doesn't quite fit, but it is Atlantis...
- DirectorLeander De CordovaG.B. SamuelsonStarsBetty BlytheCarlyle BlackwellMary OdetteIn Africa an explorer is the reincarnated lover of the 2,000-year-old White Queen.Set in the (then) present. Includes because they find an ancient lost civilization
- DirectorGuido BrignoneStarsBartolomeo PaganoUmberto GuarracinoMario SaioThe devil takes Maciste down to hell in an attempt to corrupt and ruin his morality.
- DirectorEdwin J. CollinsStarsHarry NewmanValiaM.D. Waxman
- DirectorCecil B. DeMilleStarsTheodore RobertsCharles de RochefortEstelle TaylorAfter hearing the story of Moses, the sons of a devout Christian mother go their own ways, and the atheist brother's breaking of the Ten Commandments leads to tragedy.
- DirectorCarl Theodor DreyerStarsHelge NissenHalvard HoffJacob TexiereIn 4 episodic tales of human suffering: the temptation of Jesus, the Spanish Inquisition, the French Revolution and the Russo-Finnish war of 1918, Satan attempts to win God's favor.
- DirectorSidney OlcottStarsR. Henderson BlandPercy DyerGene GauntierAn account of the life of Jesus Christ according to the New Testament, told as a series of tableaus interspersed with Bible verses.
- DirectorCecil B. DeMilleStarsThomas MeighanTheodore RobertsRaymond HattonLady Mary Lasenby is a spoiled maiden who always gets her way until shipwrecked with her butler, then learns which qualities are really admirable in a person.Babylonian dream sequence
- DirectorAlice GuyThe life of Jesus Christ in 25 scenes.
- DirectorEugene MooreStarsJames CruzeMarguerite SnowJohn LehnbergThe second of "Thanhouser Big Productions," a monthly schedule, Joseph in the Land of Egypt was a true "feature" film, a new class of film which came to dominate the market by the end of 1914. A feature was an hour or more, heavily advertised, with elaborate production values, often with higher ticket prices, longer runs per theater, strongly promoted star cast and was always a drama. Thanhouser followed up on the enormous success one year earlier of THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM with a familiar Biblical story, large and highly decorated (and highly populated) sets, elaborate costumes and (something new) star promotion. Only a few "Thanhouser Big Productions" in early 1914 included specially-commissioned scores from Tams Music Library. It had been common for accompanists to improvise or use standard selections from theater and classical music, or "cue sheets" of compilations tailored specifically to the film. Beginning in 1915, the biggest features included original scores commissioned by the production studio. The performed score for JOSEPH IN THE LAND OF EGYPT is a combination of the written original music and the musician's improvisation based on its themes. This original music is a transition to the fully-composed scores introduced in Europe and the U.S. a year later. Whether it is another Thanhouser innovation is a subject for research. As in all the other titles in this Thanhouser collection, organist Ben Model exhibits the demanding and skillful art of improvisation.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsWhen Ulysses of the Odyssey is trapped on the island of Calypso, he must fight Polyphemus, the giant monster that lives there.
- DirectorUgo FalenaStarsVittoria LepantoLaura OretteCiro Galvani
- DirectorFerdinand ZeccaDepicting well-known incidents in the life of Jesus Christ, this milestone of early cinema won world fame, huge audiences and a screen life of decades when most secular films of the time measured their commercial life in weeks.
- DirectorRobert WieneStarsGregori ChmaraHenny PortenAsta NielsenBy the director of Cabinet of Dr.Caligari, this is the Passion embedded in a contemporary story. An anarchist jailed for an attempted assassination is told the Passion story by the prison chaplain, who seeks to convince him that it is better to sacrifice ones own life than take the life of ones enemy. The framing story, taken from a novel, is believed to have been intended to give the Biblical story an anti-Bolshevist propaganda function. In any case, it was added without the knowledge of the actors in the Passion story, who included some of the major stars of the period Asta Nielsen as Mary Magdalene, Henny Porten as Mary, Grigori Chmara as Jesus, and Werner Krauss as Pontius Pilate -bampfa.berkeley.edu
- DirectorLotte ReinigerCarl KochA handsome prince rides a flying horse to faraway lands and embarks on magical adventures, which include befriending a witch, meeting Aladdin, battling demons and falling in love with a princess.
- DirectorSpencer Gordon BennetStarsMadame MoreauHenry PettiboneMonsieur MoreauA mother tells the Bible Story to her children, including the life of Christ from the Annunciation to the Ascension. As the mother tells the story, the film fades into a picturization and periodically fades back to show the children's interest and reactions.
- DirectorCecil B. DeMilleStarsLeatrice JoyThomas MeighanLois WilsonThrill-seeking society girl Lydia causes a motorcycle policeman's death and is prosecuted by her fiancé Daniel, who describes in lurid detail the downfall of Rome. While she's in prison, she reforms and Daniel becomes a wasted alcoholic.