Main Cast: Steve Reeves, Mylène Demongeot, Daniela Rocca, Ivo Garrani, Philippe Hersent
Release Year: 1959
Country: FR/IT
Run Time: 90 minutes
Plot
Rather than telling a dramatized version of the exploits of the Greek runner Phidippides (or Philippides, as used here), this standard Italian costume drama has the great athlete almost single-handedly defeating the Persians. Set in 490 B.C. when the Persian armies were ready to finish conquering Greece and head into Europe, Phidippides (Steve Reeves, who else?) rallies the Athenians and they fight a series of spectacular, massive battles. In reality, Phidippides had run 140 miles to Sparta and back to ask for their help before any battles began. The Persians had already landed on the plains of Marathon, 26 miles from Athens but thanks to Phidippides forewarning, they were defeated by advancing Athenian forces. Phidippides' final run from Marathon back to Athens to warn them about a second attack by the Persian forces is not depicted in this drama -- that last run on top of the futile, 280-mile round trip to Sparta, cost him his life. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
Sergio Fantoni - Teocrito; Alberto Lupo - Milziade; Miranda Campa - Un'Ancella
Credit
George Djurkovic - Art Director, de Marcello Prato - Art Director, Marisa Crimi - Costume Designer, Pier Luigi Pizzi - Costume Designer, Jacques Tourneur - Director, Mario Serandrei - Editor, Roberto Nicolosi - Composer (Music Score), Mario Bava - Cinematographer, Bruno Vailati - Producer, Massimo Tavazzi - Set Designer, Ennio de Concini - Screenwriter, Augusto Frassinetti - Screenwriter, Bruno Vailati - Screenwriter
The Giant of Marathon (or Giant of Marathon, or Italian: La battaglia di Maratona) is a 1959 Italian sword and sandal film. It was directed by Jacques Tourneur and Mario Bava (Bava had to step in to complete the film). It starred Steve Reeves as Pheidippides (Phillipides in the film).
In 2007, The Giant of Marathon was released on DVD with a mockumentary track by The Film Crew.
Tout Ça ne Vaut pas l'Amour (1931) ·Pour Être Aimé (1933) ·Les Filles de la Concierge (1934) ·Romance of Radium (1937) ·The Man in the Barn (1937) ·They All Come Out (1939) ·Nick Carter, Master Detective (1939)
