Review of Atlas

Atlas (1961)
4/10
As sword-and-sandal flicks go, this one isn't all that bad
20 November 2022
Michael Forest stars as the title character, a strongman who beats an Olympian at wrestling, and then agrees to help out "Proximates the Tyrant" in taking over a city. Of course, Atlas eventually sees the error of his ways, leads the inevitable revolt against the tyrant, and then goes to work for Rand McNally.

Frank Wolff as Proximates steals the show, and has the best lines. He slyly refers to one character's possible bisexuality. In another scene, a soldier appears and says "did you want me?" "No!" Wolff screams sarcastically. "I wanted your Great Aunt Helen from Lesbos!"

Barboura Morris plays the love interest. A staple of Roger Corman films, this is the first time I've seen her in color. Director Corman has a bit as a messenger, while the stalwart Dick Miller appears in the climax as one of the rebels and kicks some serious butt.

The score by Ronald Stein is quite good. But in one embarrassing scene, Atlas is supposed to square off against another muscular opponent as soon as the trumpets sound. Two guys blow into their trumpets, but no sound can be heard ... although I think I saw several dogs covering up their ears.
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