The Colossus of Rhodes (1961)December 14, 1961
'Colossus of Rhodes'
HOWARD THOMPSON.
Published: December 14, 1961
THREE men we never heard of before rate the only applause, and it a mild spattering, for the imported "The Colossus of Rhodes," yesterday's new rip-roaring corn harvest on the circuits.
Jesus Mateos, the art designer, and Francisco Assensio, art engineer, have constructed a very effective plastic giant for Rory Calhoun, the warrior hero, hordes of rebellious slaves and sadistic Rhodes royalty to clash around in—complete with a firebearing tower and a labyrinth of torture chambers. What a place! For that matter, what a picture!
Even so, this cunningly fabricated eighth wonder of the old world, straddles a picturesque breakwater of antique appointments, perfectly suited for a bloody track meet of this kind. And Antonio Ballesteros, the color camera man, has adroitly photographed the real hero (the big boy) with some rather awesome, Lilliputian effects. Visually, the picture is okay—otherwise pretty terrible.
It's an Italian-Spanish co-production, with dubbed English, clubbed dialogue, and an absurd plot that has Mr. Calhoun trying to rid the ancient island of Rhodes of tyranny. The American actor is limber and grinning, understandably. Lea Massari, Georges Marchal and Conrado Sanmartin, among the others, bring up the rear.
Under Sergio Leone's direction, blood flows like water. An earthquake finally topples the colossus, although the plot of this Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer release should have been enough to unhinge him.
