Julius Caesar Against the Pirates (1962) review

JULIUS CAESAR AGAINST THE PIRATES 1962 aka GIULIO CESARE CONTRO I PIRATI

Gustavo Rojo (Julius Caesar), Gordon Mitchell (Hamar), Abbe Lane (Plaudia), Erno Crisa (Silla), Piero Lulli (Edom), Mario Petri (Nicodemus), Franca Paris (Cornelia), Silvana Jachino (Quintilia)

Directed by Sergio Grieco

The Short Version: This peplum/pirate adventure based on true events is a decently mounted production kept afloat by a kinetic performance from Gordon Mitchell and a plethora of busty female cast members. The women here get lots of screen time, too. For Italian cult fans and Gordon Mitchell followers. For curiosity seekers, there's better examples of the genre out there.


After learning of a deadly conspiracy against him by his subordinate, Silla, Caesar flees Rome and is lost at sea with his servant and his doctor, Plubio. The trio are eventually captured by Edom, under the command of King Nicodemus. The king wishes to use Caesar to help him make military strategies under his employ. Nicodemus shares allegiance with Silla much to Caesar's chagrin. Meanwhile, a band of pirates led by the maniacal Hamar learns his treaty with the king has been broken and his promised bride, Plaudia has been kidnapped and made a slave in the king's court. While he's allowed to sail for Melato, Nicodemus secretly plots against Caesar as well, but his plan is to have the Roman ruler cut down by Hamar as he sets sail the following day taking Plaudia with him unaware that the female prisoner is the pirate leaders woman.


Surprisingly adept pirate/peplum picture made even more curious in that it was directed by sleaze specialist, Sergio Grieco. The movie isn't the best of its type, but the picture is shockingly well made when compared to some of the directors other works such as VIOLENCE FOR KICKS (1975) and BEAST WITH A GUN (1977). The level of misogyny present in Grieco's above mentioned works is non existent here. Some of the women are luscious in the statuesque forms of both Abbe Lane and Franca Paris. Some others aren't much to look at, but were apparently chosen for their expansive assets. A strong sexual vibe is present throughout this movie. It's as if the makers were itching to toss in a gratuitous sex scene, or show more skin than they could get by with at the time. Grieco is remarkably restrained here, only to cut loose later in his career.


Even in this early adventure picture, Grieco takes several opportunities to exploit his bosomy female cast. Definitely not a bad thing, but during the final years of his career, those later films showed an incredible amount of disdain for the fairer sex. The film itself gets by on its action and minor league spectacle. The production was able to afford some big ships and there's also some miniature work present. But the laughable matte painting representing Rome looks like a drawing from a slop artist. It's not a bad film by any stretch, but it offers nothing that hasn't been seen before, but at least Grieco keeps things moving along at a fair clip. The action scenes are sloppily handled although it's obvious Mitchell throws himself into the fights and does his best to make them look as good as possible.


This Yugoslavia lensed film is based on actual historical accounts. Caesar was in fact captured by Cilician pirates of the Eastern Mediterranean and held for ransom. Treating his captives with contempt, he personally upped his own ransom and also brazenly threatened that should he be set free, he would return and lay his vengeance upon them. Entertained by his brash attitude, the pirates were oblivious to the fact that Julius Caesar meant every word he said. Upon his release, Caesar then returned to the Cilician buccaneers location and captured the lot of them. Later, he personally had them all crucified.


Grieco's movie isn't quite as gloomy as that, nor is Gustavo Rojo's interpretation of Caesar remotely close to the historical ruler. He does, however, raise his ransom along with a few others which is met with contempt by Hamar. Caesar also threatens Hamar that when he escapes, he will return and settle with him. Caesar's merciless nature is ignored here instead showcasing him as a romantic hero fighting against an injustice. Although Rojo has presence, his character is virtually overshadowed by the manic performance of Gordon Mitchell as Hamar, the loony leader of the pirates.


Both Erno Crisa and Mario Petri play villains here; the former as a power hungry usurper and the latter as an orgy loving king. Piero Lulli as Edom is also a villain under the employ of Nicodemus. While this version is widescreen and runs 96 minutes, the fate of both Silla (Crisa) and Edom is not shown. We hear that Silla is killed, but we never see this. That's a bit odd considering he's Caeser's usurper and we never see him pay for his conspiracy and attempt on Caesar's life. Edom's disappearance is a bit more understandable, but also a bit strange considering he figured into the story in an important way towards the end. The last we hear of him is his ambush of Hamar's men whose ship returns with all aboard dead save for Akeem, Hamar's close subordinate.


Other pirate themed peplum adventures include the so-so THE PIRATE & THE SLAVE GIRL (1959) starring Lex Barker, Chelo Alonso and Massimo Serato; the slow, but epic feel of MORGAN THE PIRATE (1961) starring Steve Reeves and Chelo Alonso; the action packed excitement of THE LION OF ST. MARK (1963) starring Gordon Scott and Gianna Maria Canale; the lame low budget SAMSON & THE SEA BEASTS (1963) starring Kirk Morris and Margaret Lee and the spirited action of HERCULES & THE BLACK PIRATE (1964) starring Alan Steel and Rosalba Neri.


Compared with the best of the genre, CAESAR AGAINST THE PIRATES doesn't stand up coming off as an average entry bolstered by plentiful action, an energetic performance by Gordon Mitchell and some pretty girls all vying for the affections of the testosterone fueled male cast members. Unusually, the female cast figure into the story in a huge way, and that's not a reference to the bust size of some of the female stars. Their extended presence here are definitely a worthy addition to maintain interest when the story lags. Still, Grieco hints at the exploitation to come--his film contains two dance sequences that lead to orgies, forced (implied) sex, a cat fight, misogyny and numerous shots of heaving bosoms from Gordon Mitchell and the quartet of "evenly matched" lovelies.


Sword & Sandal fans and those who enjoy Italian style adventure movies will be the best audience for this mild diversion as well as those with an affinity for the movies starring Gordon Mitchell. He had just burst on the scene the year prior, but was already playing bad guys. His granite features were suited more to an antagonist than a hero, anyways. This film is also of value for those familiar with Sergio Grieco's work, a director of little consequence outside of showcasing cheap exploitation with a high degree of violence and alarming levels of misogyny. You can see traces of that here, but this is one of the directors better made productions and an average picture altogether. Thanks to Sean M. for providing this film.

The Undertaker & His Pals: Death Becomes Them

Genre stars big and small have been dropping like flies lately so this new column aims to keep up with those who have passed into the great beyond, but whose cinematic legacy lives on both in their films and the minds of those who remember them. Regardless of how big a star some of these people were, their participation in various horror, science fiction, fantasy, action adventure and exploitation cinema will never be forgotten.

***NOTE: This first list covers some of the genre thespian deaths between 2008 up to the present. If readers can help add to future lists, please do so in the comments below***

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PETE POSTLETHWAITE (Feb. 7, 1946-Jan. 2, 2011) lost a long battle with cancer, but left behind a slew of fantasy and horror roles from 1992's ALIEN 3 up to a brief role in the new CLASH OF THE TITANS (2010). Other roles include THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK (1997) and the remake of THE OMEN from 2006.

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ANNE FRANCIS (Sept. 16, 1930-Jan. 2, 2011) starred in FORBIDDEN PLANET (1956) and also featured in two episodes of the original TWILIGHT ZONE--The hour long 'Jess-Belle' from season 4 and 'The After Hours' from season 1; the former a witch story and the latter about mannequins that come to life. She also featured in Don Knott's sorta saucy 1969 risque comedy THE LOVE GOD? She died of pancreatic cancer.

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JUAN PIQUER SIMON (Feb. 16, 1935-Jan. 7, 2011) was a Spanish director of various genres from children's monster fantasy pictures like MYSTERY ON MONSTER ISLAND (1980), FABULOUS JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH (1976) and THE SUPERSONIC MAN (1979) to gruesome, gore soaked horror schlock such as PIECES (1982), SLUGS (1988) and ENDLESS DESCENT (1990). The cause of death was lung cancer.

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PETER YATES (July 24, 1929-Jan. 9, 2011) will be remembered by many for directing Steve McQueen in BULLITT in 1968, but to many fantasy fans, his 30 million spectacular, KRULL (1983) from Columbia will keep his memory alive. Yates also guided MOTHER, JUGS & SPEED (1976) with Bill Cosby, Raquel Welch and Harvey Keitel and also THE DEEP (1978) with a mostly naked Jacqueline Bisset, Nick Nolte and Robert Shaw. Yates' cause of death was not released.

Robert Culp (left) with Bill Cosby from I, SPY (1965-1968);google images

ROBERT CULP (Aug. 16, 1930-March 24, 2010) featured in all kinds of movies and television shows such as the popular series I, SPY co-starring Bill Cosby. Some of his appearances of interest to genre fans are HANNIE CAULDER (1971), Bob Clark's BREAKING POINT (1976), THE GREAT SCOUT & CATHOUSE THURSDAY (1976), BIG BAD MAMA 2 (1987) and SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT 3 (1989). Culp died from a heart attack after collapsing outside his home.

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FRANK FRAZETTA (Feb. 9, 1928-May 10, 2010), aged 82, died from a stroke. The popular painter had already suffered multiple strokes leading up to his death, but his legacy as an extraordinarily talented artist will indeed live on. His surreal sword & sorcery and horror painted covers have graced many a magazine and pulp novel. Fans of Warren's old mags no doubt adore this amazingly gifted artist.

One of Frazetta's most famous drawings were those for Warren's VAMPIRELLA magazine;google images

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DENNIS HOPPER (May 17, 1936-May 29, 2010) lost his near decade long battle with prostate cancer roughly ten days after his 74th birthday. The eccentric actor was one of Hollywood's biggest stars. His genre appearances include MY SCIENCE PROJECT (1985), BLUE VELVET (1986) and his dual chainsaw carrying 'Lefty' Enright from Hooper's TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2 (1986) is memorable. Hopper also co-starred in George Romero's one big studio zombie epic LAND OF THE DEAD in 2005.

Vonetta McGee (left) shared the screen with the great William Marshall in BLACULA (1972);google images

VONETTA MCGEE (Jan. 14, 1945-July 9, 2010) was an attractive actress who starred in an eclectic list of genre fare. These include the gruesome Italian western, THE GREAT SILENCE (1968;according to Klaus Kinski in his autobiography, the two had an affair during shooting), BLACULA (1972), HAMMER (1972) and DETROIT 9000 (1973) to name a few. McGee died in hospital from cardiac arrest after being on life suport for 2 days.

Patricia Neal and Michael Rennie in a publicity photo for DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL (1951); google images

PATRICIA NEAL (January 20, 1926-Aug. 8, 2010) will, to all fans of science fiction, be remembered as the co-star of THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL (1951); the carrier of Gort's message--'Klaatu, Barada, Nikto'. This theatrically trained actress did little work in horror, but fans will also remember her from John Irvin's slightly unnerving GHOST STORY from 1981. Lung cancer took her this past August.

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TONY CURTIS (June 3, 1925-Sept. 29, 2010) was a major Hollywood actor who starred in numerous prestigious productions. He also did a few horror pictures including the cult classic THE MANITOU (1978), a cameo appearance in CHAMBER OF HORRORS (1966) and also in the lower tier THE MUMMY LIVES (1993). He also had a brief role in the truly horrendous and hilarious SEXTETTE (1978) starring Mae West. Curtis died from cardiac arrest at his home in Nevada.

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ROY WARD BAKER (Dec. 19, 1916-Oct. 5, 2010) was a prolific British filmmaker who, among his dozens of credits, will be best known in horror circles for his many Gothic and modern day horror movies. With titles like FIVE MILLION YEARS TO EARTH (1967), THE ANNIVERSARY (1968), VAMPIRE LOVERS, SCARS OF DRACULA (both 1970), DR. JEKYLL & SISTER HYDE (1971), THE VAULT OF HORROR (1973), LEGEND OF THE 7 GOLDEN VAMPIRES (1974) and THE MONSTER CLUB (1980), genre fans have much to seek out from this director who worked at both Hammer and Amicus. He left this world from natural causes.

THE SWORD & THE SORCERER (1982)

SIMON MACCORKINDALE (Feb. 12, 1952-Oct. 14, 2010) was a stage actor who graduated to movie roles and television series'. His genre roles include the 1982 hit THE SWORD & THE SORCERER and JAWS 3D (1983). His fantasy/horror TV credits include QUATERMASS (1979), HAMMER HOUSE OF HORROR (1980) and the short lived US series, MANIMAL from 1983. MacCorkindale had been married to actress Susan George since the mid 1980s. His fight against bowel cancer ended October 14th, 2010.

DEAD & BURIED (1981)

LISA BLOUNT (July 1, 1957-Oct. 25, 2010) passed away at the young age of 53 from what is described as a rare blood disorder. While she will likely be best known in movie circles for the drama AN OFFICER & A GENTLEMAN (1982), horror fans remember her best for a string of obscure and classic genre flicks such as DEAD & BURIED (1981), WHAT WAITS BELOW (1984;SECRET OF THE PHANTOM CAVERNS), CUT & RUN (1985) and NIGHTFLYERS (1987).

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DINO DE LAURENTIIS (Aug. 8, 1919-Nov. 10, 2010) The cause of death for this lover of movies and producer for expensive and modest productions was never released. His expansive resume includes many action, fantasy and controversial spectacles. Titles include--DEATH WISH (1974), MANDINGO (1975), KING KONG (1976), ORCA (1977), FLASH GORDON (1980), two CONAN films, DUNE (1984), MANHUNTER (1986) and three additional entries in the Hannibal Lecter series. Dino also owned a NC based production company coined DEG which handled other horror fare such as CAT'S EYE (1985), KING KONG LIVES (1986) and PUMPKINHEAD (1988). He was also a producer on the long gestating production of TAI-PAN (1986), a film that, at one point, involved the Shaw Brothers of Hong Kong during the late 1970s. Dino was 91.

THE HOUSE THAT DRIPPED BLOOD (1971)

INGRID PITT (Nov. 21, 1937-Nov. 23, 2010) died of undisclosed reasons just two days after her 73rd birthday. The vibrant actress and author had collapsed prior to attending a birthday dinner. Her life story would have made a good movie in itself, but this buxom Polish beauty sunk her teeth into several popular British horror features such as THE VAMPIRE LOVERS (1970) and THE HOUSE THAT DRIPPED BLOOD (1971). She also took the lead in COUNTESS DRACULA in 1971 among other credits.

Director, Kershner and friends from the set of EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980);google images

IRVIN KERSHNER (April 29, 1923-Nov. 27, 2010) was one of Roger Corman's young disciples who eventually went on to mentor George Lucas and even direct the seminal science fiction spectacular, THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK in 1980. Kershner also helmed RETURN OF A MAN CALLED HORSE (1976), NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN (1983) and ROBOCOP 2 (1990). Kershner's cause of death was not revealed.

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LESLIE NIELSEN (Feb. 11, 1926-Nov. 28, 2010) left this world at 84 years of age from pneumonia. Long a favorite for his many hilarious comedic roles particularly as Frank Drebin from the POLICE SQUAD TV show and subsequent NAKED GUN movies, Nielsen played a lot of villains in his early career. Some of these were in the TV shows THE WILD, WILD WEST and Rod Serling's NIGHT GALLERY. He was quite nasty as a shady businessman turned violent rapist/murderer who takes on a Grizzly bear(!) in DAY OF THE ANIMALS (1977). Nielsen can also be seen in the science fiction classic, FORBIDDEN PLANET from 1956.

Leslie Nielsen from DAY OF THE ANIMALS (1977)

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JEAN ROLLIN (Nov. 2, 1938-Dec. 15, 2010) was a French director who specialized in erotically surreal vampire movies directing close to a dozen bloodsucker movies with an accent towards lesbianism and a high sexuality quotient. He also dabbled in other genres such as the unique zombie film, THE GRAPES OF DEATH (1978). Cause of death was not revealed.

STAR TREK season 1: SPACE SEED

RICARDO MONTALBAN (Nov. 25, 1920-January 14, 2009) passed away at 88 years old from heart failure. He will no doubt be remembered for his venerable performance as the villainous Khan on an episode of the original STAR TREK; a role he reprised for the motion picture, STAR TREK 2: THE WRATH OF KHAN in 1982. He will also be remembered for his role as Mr. Roarke in the hit show FANTASY ISLAND (1978-1984).

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ROBERT QUARRY (Nov. 3,1925-Feb. 20, 2009) will forever be remembered as the modern day vampire Count Yorga in two movies and a third vampire feature, THE DEATHMASTER, passed away at age 83 of heart related problems. Some of his other credits include the blaxploitation horror hybrid, SUGAR HILL (1974), MADHOUSE (1974) and DR. PHIBES RISES AGAIN (1972) playing opposite Vincent Price.

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LOU PERRYMAN (Aug. 15, 1941-April 1, 2009) L.G. from THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2, Perryman was murdered in his Texas home on April 1st of 2009. He worked as a camera assistant on Hooper's original TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE as well as parts in John Landis' THE BLUES BROTHERS and on POLTERGEIST for Tobe Hooper in 1982. Perryman was murdered by 26 year old Seth Christopher Tatum who had stolen Perryman's car. He later turned himself in to police confessing to the crime.

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DON EDMONDS (Sept. 1, 1937-May 30, 2009) The director of the first two ILSA movies succumbed to liver cancer on Saturday, May 30th. He was 72 years old. As an actor, Edmonds will be recognizable to fans who enjoy old TV shows like GREEN ACRES and THE MUNSTERS. He was also a producer and writer. Among his various behind the screen credits include a number of exploitation features and Tony Scott's TRUE ROMANCE (1993).

David Carradine (right) and Kate Jackson (left) from THUNDER & LIGHTNING (1977)

DAVID CARRADINE (Dec. 8, 1936-June 3, 2009) was found hanged inside a wardrobe in Bangkok, Thailand. With both a cord around his neck and extremities, it had been initially reported his death was a suicide. Later information ruled out suicide and both foul play and accidental death by auto-erotic asphyxiation were bandied about. Details are still not clear. Carradine had been a cult movie icon since the 1970s having appeared in dozens of genre fare particularly for former New World Pictures founder, Roger Corman.

John Phillip Law and Marisa Mell in Mario Bava's DANGER: DIABOLIK (1968);google images

JOHN PHILLIP LAW (Sept. 7, 1937-May 13, 2008) died aged 70 of undisclosed causes although cancer has been rumored. He will be noted for his performances in the violent Italian western classic, DEATH RIDES A HORSE (1967), the super thief in DANGER: DIABOLIK (1968), the winged Pygar in BARBARELLA (1968) and his genre defining, classic turn as Sinbad in THE GOLDEN VOYAGE OF SINBAD (1974).

John Phillip Law and Caroline Munro in the fantastic THE GOLDEN VOYAGE OF SINBAD (1974)

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STAN WINSTON (April 7, 1946-June 15, 2008) Passed away from multiple myeloma (a cancer of plasma cells that develop in bone marrow). He was best known for his make up artistry in creating creatures for a series of blockbusters such as ALIENS (1986), TERMINATOR 2 (1992) and JURASSIC PARK (1993) to name a small few. Some of his early effects work included ZOLTAN, HOUND OF DRACULA (1977), MANSION OF THE DOOMED (1977) and PARASITE (1982).

TRUCK TURNER (1974)

ISAAC HAYES (Aug. 20, 1942-Aug. 10, 2008) was found dead in his home after suffering a stroke. He was 65 years old. Hayes won an Oscar for his genre defining score for SHAFT (1971). He got his own starring role in the superbly sleazy blaxploitation classic TRUCK TURNER in 1974 as well as playing 'The Duke of New York' in ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK (1980). He later found renewed fame on the controversial television animated series, SOUTH PARK.

DOLEMITE (1974)

RUDY RAY MOORE (March 17, 1927-Oct. 19, 2008) Dead at 81 of complications from Diabetes. Moore was a raunchy, wildly popular "underground" comedian in the 70s who crossed over into movies where he brought his comic routine to cinematic life in a string of blaxploitation cult pictures such as DOLEMITE (1975) and THE HUMAN TORNADO (1976). His cult following never dwindled up to his death in 2008.

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FORREST J. ACKERMAN (Nov. 24, 1916-Dec. 4, 2008) The editor in Chief of the much lauded and fondly remembered monster magazine 'Famous Monsters of Filmland' died of heart failure in Los Angeles, California ten days after his 92nd birthday. His magazine and young at heart personality helped inspire and mold a legion of aspiring cinematic artisans. He appeared in some 200 movies in various bit parts and cameo appearances.

STAR TREK season 1: THE NAKED TIME

MAJEL BARRETT-RODDENBERRY (Feb. 23, 1932-Dec. 18, 2008) She played Nurse Chapel on the three seasons of the original STAR TREK television series eventually marrying the creator of the series. She was also featured in the original pilot in a different role. She lost her battle with Leukemia at her California home. She was 76 years old.

UNTIL DEATH CALLS AGAIN, THE UNDERTAKER BIDS YOU A FOND FAREWELL....