So, you want to delve into Sword and Sorcery films?
To begin, you should probably consider some of the early features…
Arguably the best and earliest example is 1958’s “The 7th voyage of Sinbad“. This film is renowned for inspiring a number of directors and writers to enter the fantasy film industry. This was followed by 1963’s “Jason and the Argonauts”, a production that is held in just as high esteem.
One of the first to find mainstream success was the Hercules series starring bodybuilder turned acting personality Steve Reeves. While Reeves was only in two of these Italian produced movies, they would lay the groundwork for sword and sandal/sorcery muscleman flicks for decades. His roles as the Olympian hero influenced an entire generation, including young Austrian Arnold Schwarzenegger. Take the time to check out both “Hercules” (1958) and “Hercules Unchained (1959). Interestingly, another film of note at this time in Reeves career actually falls in a sub-genre of barbarian films, “Goliath and the Barbarians.” This created a series (although not starring Reeves) of “Goliath” films.
Later, bodybuilder Reg Park would take over for Reeves as Olympian hero in a couple of films, most notably “Hercules and the Haunted World” directed by noted horror cineaste Mario Bava and co-starring Christopher Lee (yes, that Christopher Lee). While these productions were probably not as bad as they could have been they were neither as good as they should have been. Bava was too stylistic a director, Lee was phoning it in and Park just didn’t have the charisma of Reeves.
Disney’s 1963 “The Sword and the Stone” has been forgotten through the ages but it is nevertheless a delightful retelling of the once and future King Athurian legend.
Similar productions were scarce, but 1973’s “Gawain and the Green Knight” is a bizarre and odd chapter but worth finding for a view. Later, Ralph Bakshi’s 1978 “Lord of the Rings” is a stylistically beautiful rendition of Tolkien’s story, sadly, it only represents half of the tale, as part II was never made. A shame, as it is a truly spectacular production.
The 80’s represented a sort of renaissance for sword and sorcery / fantasy films. While mostly low-budget, they were fun and enjoyable. The best of them actually took it seriously and created some cult classics…
Hawk the Slayer (1980)
Black Angel (1980)
Clash of the Titans (1981)
Dragonslayer (1981)
Excalibur (1981)
Heavy Metal (1981)
The Beastmaster (1982)
Conan the Barbarian (1982)
Sorceress (1982)
The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982)
Deathstalker (1983)
Fire and Ice (1983, animated)
Hearts and Armour (1983)
Krull (1983)
The Black Cauldron (1985, animated)
Ladyhawke (1985)
Legend (1985)
Highlander (1986)
Willow (1988)
By the end of the decade, the fantasy film genre had all but disappeared and the 90’s saw only a few, mostly inferior sequels or revisions. By the millennium the epic “Lord of the Rings” production eclipsed everything prior in both production and popularity; however, this was more of a pre-established fantasy concept rather than sword and sorcery. However, the continued success of this genre lives on in the current popularity of productions such as Game of Thrones.
Also, of note…
While in development hell for many years, 1997’s Kull the Conqueror was originally intended to be the third part of the Conan trilogy. After Schwarzenegger refused to return (having turned his back on the sword and sorcery genre after his cameo in the failure of Red Sonja), the title role was changed to Robert E. Howard’s other barbarian character, Kull. Starring erstwhile actor Kevin Sorbo, the film was poorly produced, and far from successful, but does provide at least some closure to the story of Conan. Especially in light of the completely disappointing and entirely forgettable Conan reboot starring what should have been the perfect casting of Jason Momoa as the sullen Cimmerian.
At any rate, these are what I can recommend if you are looking to enter an enjoyable genre and discuss the world of peplum.
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