{"id":80736,"date":"2022-01-30T13:23:21","date_gmt":"2022-01-30T20:23:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=80736"},"modified":"2022-01-30T20:55:07","modified_gmt":"2022-01-31T03:55:07","slug":"ulysses-1954","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=80736","title":{"rendered":"Ulysses (1954)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;There&#8217;s part of me that&#8217;s always homesick for the unknown.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Poster-196x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"196\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-80737\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Poster-196x300.png 196w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Poster-668x1024.png 668w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Poster-84x128.png 84w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Poster-176x270.png 176w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Poster.png 733w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 196px) 100vw, 196px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nIn Ancient Greece, Queen Penelope of Ithaca (Silvana Mangano) is besieged by suitors &#8212; including persistent Antinoos (Anthony Quinn) &#8212; while awaiting the return home of her long-lost husband, Ulysses (Kirk Douglas). Meanwhile, amnesiac Ulysses prepares to marry a new wife (Rossana Podesta) while flashing back on memories of the Trojan War and being lured by the goddess Circe (also Mangano).\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Amnesia<\/li>\n<li>Ancient Greece and Rome<\/li>\n<li>Anthony Quinn Films<\/li>\n<li>Kirk Douglas Films<\/li>\n<li>Royalty and Nobility<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nPerhaps best known for sparking the &#8220;swords and sandals&#8221; <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sword-and-sandal\"><em>peplum<\/em><\/a> subgenre of Italian-American movies &#8212; beginning with the enormously popular <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=12235\"><em>Hercules<\/em> (1958)<\/a> a few years later &#8212; this adaptation of Homer&#8217;s epic poem <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Odyssey\"><em>The Odyssey<\/em><\/a> will likely appeal to those who recall reading and studying this classic work in high school (my hand is raised). Douglas is well cast as adventurous Ulysses: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Douglas5.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Douglas5-1024x745.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"466\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-80747\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Douglas5-1024x745.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Douglas5-300x218.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Douglas5-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Douglas5-768x559.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Douglas5-371x270.png 371w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Douglas5.png 1277w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and gorgeous Italian actress Mangano effectively toggles between two key roles (Penelope and Circe), easily convincing us she&#8217;s different women yet eerily similar in Ulysses&#8217;s mind. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Douglas-Mangano.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Douglas-Mangano-1024x746.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"466\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-80744\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Douglas-Mangano-1024x746.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Douglas-Mangano-300x219.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Douglas-Mangano-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Douglas-Mangano-768x560.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Douglas-Mangano-371x270.png 371w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Douglas-Mangano.png 1275w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Ulysses&#8217;s ongoing state of amnesiac confusion is nicely handled through the use of flashbacks; we understand that his entire journey back from the Trojan war has been somewhat of a blur, punctuated by moments of drama. (Those unfamiliar with the story may feel, appropriately so, like things are bouncing around a lot.) Scenes of note include Ulysses and his men outwitting the cyclops Polyphemus: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Cyclops.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Cyclops-1024x743.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"464\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-80748\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Cyclops-1024x743.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Cyclops-300x218.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Cyclops-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Cyclops-768x557.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Cyclops-372x270.png 372w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Cyclops.png 1283w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; Ulysses foolishly asking to be tied to the mast of his ship in order to hear the song of the sirens: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Bound.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Bound-1024x751.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"469\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-80749\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Bound-1024x751.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Bound-300x220.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Bound-128x94.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Bound-768x563.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Bound-368x270.png 368w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Bound.png 1283w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; Circe turning Ulysses&#8217;s men into swine: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Swine.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Swine-1024x743.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"464\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-80750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Swine-1024x743.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Swine-300x218.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Swine-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Swine-768x557.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Swine-372x270.png 372w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Swine.png 1291w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and Ulysses&#8217;s stealthy return home in the guise of a beggar: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Stranger2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Stranger2-1024x735.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"459\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-80756\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Stranger2-1024x735.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Stranger2-300x215.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Stranger2-128x92.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Stranger2-768x551.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Stranger2-376x270.png 376w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Stranger2.png 1291w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The sets and cinematography (some by Mario Bava) are fine throughout. Fans of classic adaptations will likely want to check this one out. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> Quinn&#8217;s role as Antinoos is minor and doesn&#8217;t have much impact: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Quinn5.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Quinn5-1024x742.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"464\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-80751\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Quinn5-1024x742.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Quinn5-300x217.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Quinn5-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Quinn5-768x556.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Quinn5-373x270.png 373w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Quinn5.png 1277w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Kirk Douglas as Ulysses<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Douglas2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Douglas2-1024x748.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"468\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-80739\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Douglas2-1024x748.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Douglas2-300x219.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Douglas2-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Douglas2-768x561.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Douglas2-370x270.png 370w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Douglas2.png 1283w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fine cinematography and sets<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/ULysses-Cave.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/ULysses-Cave-1024x751.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"469\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-80740\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/ULysses-Cave-1024x751.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/ULysses-Cave-300x220.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/ULysses-Cave-128x94.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/ULysses-Cave-768x564.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/ULysses-Cave-368x270.png 368w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/ULysses-Cave.png 1285w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Cinematography3.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Cinematography3-1024x741.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"463\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-80755\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Cinematography3-1024x741.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Cinematography3-300x217.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Cinematography3-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Cinematography3-768x555.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Cinematography3-373x270.png 373w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Ulysses-Cinematography3.png 1279w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo, but it&#8217;s recommended and well worth a look. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0047630\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/trailersfromhell.com\/ulysses-1954\/\">DVD Savant Review (spoilers alert)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.com\/movies\/ulysses\/review\/2030347154\/\">TV Guide Review (spoilers alert) <\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1955\/08\/18\/archives\/screen-ulysses-wanders-into-globe-kirk-douglas-portrays-bewhiskered.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s part of me that&#8217;s always homesick for the unknown.&#8221; Synopsis: In Ancient Greece, Queen Penelope of Ithaca (Silvana Mangano) is besieged by suitors &#8212; including persistent Antinoos (Anthony Quinn) &#8212; while awaiting the return home of her long-lost husband, Ulysses (Kirk Douglas). Meanwhile, amnesiac Ulysses prepares to marry a new wife (Rossana Podesta) while flashing back on memories of the Trojan War and being lured by the goddess Circe (also Mangano). Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Amnesia Ancient Greece&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=80736\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-80736","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80736","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=80736"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80736\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":80771,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/80736\/revisions\/80771"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=80736"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=80736"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=80736"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}