The Secret of the Colossus

Leone's debut film was a huge success in Italy. It is the story of a slave revolt against the corrupt leaders of ancient Rhodes. A bumbling warrior (Rory Calhoun) joins a group of freedom fighters, but is captured and put into the large Kollos statue, which serves as a secret prison and torture chamber. A violent earthquake turns everything upside down. Leone's debut film is not least worth seeing for the beautifully choreographed battle scenes and the impressive decorations, including the model of the “Colossus of Rhodes”, which was one of the seven wonders of antiquity that stood in the port of Rhodes between 280 and 224 B.C. Leone erected two 30-metre-high sections of the statue, allowing for the final dramatic fencing scenes that take place on the statue's shoulders and arms, could be filmed without the use of trick footage.

Director: Sergio Leone
Starring: Rory Calhoun, Lea Massari, George Marchal
Country/year: Italy, 1961
Running time: 126 min.
Formato: 35mm
Language: Swedish subtitles
Age limit: Allowed for children over 15
Original title: Il colosso di Rodi

Part of the series: Sergio Leone
Experience all of Segio Leone's feature films in Cinematek and enjoy the intense ultra-closeups, magnificent overall shots and Ennio Morricone's underpinning music.