Augusto Frassinetti Movies
- 1965
The Russo/Italian coproduction Attack and Retreat was titled Italiano Brava Gente in Italy and Oni Shli Na Vostok in the USSR. This "solidarity" war epic hinges on the plot device of Italian and Soviet WWII troops forming a united front against their one-time ally, the Germans. To drum up business in America, the producers hired two Hollywood stars: Arthur Kennedy (as a fascist leader) and Peter Falk. In some prints of this film, Kennedy and Falk's highly distinctive voices have been dubbed by anonymous actors. Attack and Retreat was gorgeously filmed on location in the Ukraine with an international team of cinematographers. Originally released at 156 minutes, the film has been severely pared down for subsequent reissues and TV showings. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tatiana Samoilova, Andrea Kekki, (more)
- 1962
In this WW II drama, a captain attempts to navigate his Italian submarine through enemy waters. He is stalked by a British commander assigned to destroy the sub. The Italian captain somehow succeeds in getting into neutral waters and is granted permission to stay there a fortnight. The British commander also stays in Tangiers so he can monitor the Italian. During their stay, the two agree not to fight and gradually come to respect each other. Meanwhile an intelligence officer, tries to upset the careful balance between the men. He uses the Italian's lover to get him to make a move. It works, and the Italian accuses his girl of spying and leaves the safety of port. The British commander follows and ends up losing his ship to the Italian's torpedoes. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1962
Filmed in Egypt, The Golden Arrow stars yesteryear's beefcake Tab Hunter as a bold Arabian Nights bandit. He discovers that he's actually the son of a Sultan, and that his kingdom is in danger. In order to save his people and restore his throne, the Tabmeister must locate a magic golden arrow. Or, if you prefer, he must locate "la fraccia d'oro", which was the original Italian title of this film. The Golden Arrow lets us know halfway through that it's not to be taken seriously (as if we had up till then) by offering us two comic genies: One skinny, one lazy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tab Hunter, Rossana Podestà, (more)
- 1962
A Polynesian boy and his beloved pet shark provide the basis of this South Seas adventure. It all begins when the boy finds a helpless baby shark and, with the help of a girl friend, raises it as a pet. After the shark grows up, the boy reluctantly returns it to the ocean; he is sad for he fears he will never see it again. Ten years pass and the natives are being forced to leave their fisheries by modern, more organized fishermen. Leading the way to progress is the girl's brother who sends her to the US for an education. Meanwhile, the boy works as a pearl diver. One day his life is endangered and he is suddenly saved by his shark. He is thrilled until the modern fishermen destroy his village and force the residents to flee. Eventually the girl returns from the States; she, the boy, and the shark leave the island to find a peaceful home of their own. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marlene Among
- 1960
Aimed at the youngsters, this typical Italian fantasy-adventure stars Steve Reeves as Karim, the thief of the title. Karim is not only the strongest, fastest, and smartest of thieves, he also has a magic ring and a cape that makes him invisible. Thus armed, he is well-prepared to face a series of Herculean tests in order to win the hand of the Sultan's beautiful daughter Anima (Georgia Moll). These "tests" purify his past wrongdoings and ultimately lead to a blue rose, the key to winning Anima in marriage. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steve Reeves, Giorgia Moll, (more)
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
- Starring:
- Steve Reeves, Mylène Demongeot, (more)
