Today let’s
take a view on two Italian Peplum film. Siege
of Syracuse
(1960) and The Giant of Metropolis (1961) “Sword and sandal” films were very popular during the 60´s. Most of them
filmed in Italy and Spain.
These two with matte paintings by Joseph Natanson,
Poland born surrealistic painter
that started his career as matte artist in London
with The red Shoes (1947) He moved
to Italy
during the early 50´s and became the principal matte painter at Cinecitta. There were only a few Italian artists whom
from time to time executed matte paintings, so eventually Joseph Natanson could be
recognised as the main matte artist working at the Italian film Industry.
Siege of Syracuse was
filmed at Cinecitta using his huge water tank with full scale replicas of roman ships.
Syracuse walls with the legendary burning mirrors that Archimedes
is said to have used to defence the city. Huge baking with sky and far away
city walls painted.
Joseph Natanson matte paintings to extend the sets.
For The giant of Metropolis Joseph Natanson was again in charge of matte
paintings.
Italian
constructor Sergio Scalia was responsible for the model miniatures.
