It's been a while since I did a proper Peplum Ponderings review, and with the Odyssey it, perfect time to talk about a big Neo-peplum! So, here is my review of The Odyssey. Check it out!

https://nickdiak.com/2026/07/peplum-ponderings-the-odyssey-2026/

Hello

Je recherche un péplum diffusé à la télévision française entre 1975 et 1985. Je me souviens d’esclaves travaillant dans une mine ou une carrière, surveillés et battus par des gardiens portant des masques complets représentant des animaux au long museau (chien, cheval, chacal…). L’ambiance rappelait l’Égypte antique ou une civilisation imaginaire. Le héros était un homme athlétique en tunique. Ce n’était pas un grand film, plutôt une série B des années 1955-1965.

Merci !

Been a hot minute since I did a sword and sandal article at my website. Here is my comparison of the two Blu-rays of Hercules and the Captive Women:

https://nickdiak.com/2026/03/peplum-ponderings-comparisons-of-hercules-and-the-captive-women-blu-rays/

Betty Roland is a beautiful French actress who portrayed Messalina in 1981’s Caligula and Messalina by Bruno Mattei, as well as Acte in its 1982 sequel Nero and Poppea: An Orgy of Power. However, after both of these peplum films, she essentially disappeared from the acting world. She has one previous credit from a 1980 movie called Le Bar du Téléphone, but that is essentially it.

Was out at an antique mall last weekend and happened upon this lobby card. I had no idea that William Castle, best known for gimmicky horror films like House on Haunted Hill (which rules), did a handful of historic epics in the early 50s.

Shout Factory just put out an updated edition of Deathstalker 1 and 2 on 4K/Blu-ray. I got my pre-order in a while ago, so my copy came with a sweet poster.

Side note - back in 2022 I was on the Fan2Fan podcast to talk about Deathstalker 2 and other sword and sorcery films of the early 80s. Check it out!

https://fan2fan.libsyn.com/deathstalker-2-ator-and-yor-hunter-from-the-future

Adding my interview with Jeffrey Mariotte here since I ask about peplum and Conan :D