When Alessandro Cicognini composed the superb
orchestral score for Ulysses he was anticipating the Peplum
genre, and now it comes back on CD with much better quality
optimized sound than ever.
Cicognini alternates dramatic and mysterious themes to epic
and romantic ones.
This OST after 56 years from its first recording maintains
intact its perfect splendour.
This new CD contains At The Court Of King Alcynous, a recently
discovered unreleased track, which was only partially used
in the movie. |
This very expensive Italian-made adaptation
of Homer's The Odyssey stars Kirk Douglas as seafaring hero
Ulysses.
The story begins, as ever, with Ulysses leaving his faithful
wife Penelope (Silvano Magnano) behind as he goes off to fight
in the Trojan Wars.
Having the poor taste to set himself above the gods after
a stunning military victory, Ulysses is doomed to journey
aimlessly across the sea until he can make amends.
Along the way, our hero battles a cyclops, resists the fatal
singing of the Sirens, and enjoys a brief interlude with pig-fancying
enchantress Circe (also played by Silvano Magnano).
Years and years later, Ulysses returns to Penelope, where
he must meet and master a final challenge.
Acceptable enough when first released in 1954, Ulysses pales
in comparison to the high-tech, all-star 1997 TV miniseries
version of The Odyssey.
Cast:
Jacques Dumesnil, Silvana Mangano, Rossana Podestà,
Kirk Douglas, Anthony Quinn, Mario Feliciani, Franco Interlenghi,
Daniel Ivernel, Piero Lulli, Michele Riccardini
Director:
Mario Camerini |
