"Ulysses" is a dated film that was an Italian/French/American production and this wasn't unusual in the 1950s. Many American stars, particularly second and third tier stars, were lured to Europe to appear in films in order to increase the international marketability of the projects. And, at this time, Douglas was definitely a second-tier actor....with his greatest successes on film to come very soon over the next few years. I say dated mostly because the print looks poor...with the color quite faded and yellowed.
The film starts off unusually and confused me at first. All the crap Ulysses (Odysseus) went through over the last few years has already passed and he washes up on the shores of a kingdom near his own. But he has no memory...and has no idea who he is nor how he came to be there. Over time, he slowly remembers...and that is how you then see his tale. Now understand...you only see a small portion of "The Odyssey"...many portions are skipped or severely truncated. And, after he recalls who he is, he heads home in time to see a bunch of jerks vying for his wife, Penelope, and they plan on murdering Ulysses' son and taking over his kingdom.
Is this a great film? No. Only a mini-series could do the original tale justice. And, the special effects, though decent for the 1950s are not great and could stand improvement. Overall, it's a good 'Cliff Notes' sort of version--hitting many of the highlights but also, oddly de-emphasizing the gods and Ulysses' arrogance in all this.
By the way, if you are confused, the original story starred Odysseus. Ulysses is the Romanization of Odysseus.
The film starts off unusually and confused me at first. All the crap Ulysses (Odysseus) went through over the last few years has already passed and he washes up on the shores of a kingdom near his own. But he has no memory...and has no idea who he is nor how he came to be there. Over time, he slowly remembers...and that is how you then see his tale. Now understand...you only see a small portion of "The Odyssey"...many portions are skipped or severely truncated. And, after he recalls who he is, he heads home in time to see a bunch of jerks vying for his wife, Penelope, and they plan on murdering Ulysses' son and taking over his kingdom.
Is this a great film? No. Only a mini-series could do the original tale justice. And, the special effects, though decent for the 1950s are not great and could stand improvement. Overall, it's a good 'Cliff Notes' sort of version--hitting many of the highlights but also, oddly de-emphasizing the gods and Ulysses' arrogance in all this.
By the way, if you are confused, the original story starred Odysseus. Ulysses is the Romanization of Odysseus.