By Glenn Erickson
Damon and Pythias
Brief Synopsis
Two men from different cultures forge a strong friendship.
Cast & Crew
Read More
Curtis Bernhardt
Director
Guy Williams
Damon
Don Burnett
Pythias
Ilaria Occhini
Nerissa
Liana Orfei
Adriana
Arnoldo Foà
Dionysius the Elder
Film Details
Also Known As
Damone e Pitias, Il tiranno di Siracusa
Genre
Adventure
Drama
Release Date
Jan
1962
Premiere Information
New York opening: 5 Sep 1962
Production Company
International Motion Picture Enterprises; Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc.
Distribution Company
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc.
Country
United States
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 39m
Sound
Mono
Color
Color (Metrocolor), Color (Technicolor)
Synopsis
In 400 B. C., Pythias travels from Athens to Syracuse to persuade the philosopher Arcanos to come to Athens and teach the Pythagorean theory of the brotherhood of man. Arcanos has been forced into hiding by the tyrant Dionysius the Elder, who is opposed to a doctrine that forbids violence and killing. In Syracuse, Pythias hires Damon, an adventurous outlaw, to help in the search. At first Damon betrays Pythias, but when the latter refuses to do him harm, Damon helps Arcanos escape from the Storian Guard. Arcanos and Damon reach safety, but Pythias is captured and sentenced to death. Damon then offers himself as a substitute if Dionysius will permit Pythias to pay a farewell visit to Nerissa, his pregnant wife. The tyrant accepts the proposition, although he does not intend to allow Pythias to leave. Aided by Damon's band of robbers, however, Pythias overcomes Dionysius' men and returns to Syracuse. Deeply moved by such loyalty, the citizens of Syracuse force Dionysius to spare the lives of both men.
Director
Curtis Bernhardt
Director
Cast
Guy Williams
Damon
Don Burnett
Pythias
Ilaria Occhini
Nerissa
Liana Orfei
Adriana
Arnoldo Foà
Dionysius the Elder
Maurizio Baldoni
Dionysius the Younger
Carlo Giustini
Cariso
Franco Fantasia
Fencing master
Marina Berti
Carla Bonavera
Mereka [see note]
Lawrence Montaigne
Flutist
Andrea Bosic
Arcanos
Osvaldo Ruggeri
Demetrius
Carlo Rizzo
Libia
Gianni Bonagura
Philemon
Aldo Silvani
Digenis
Carolyn Fonseca
Chloë
Giovanna Maculani
Hermione
Enrico Salvatore
Tiberio Murgia
Enrico Glori
Luigi Bonos
Vittorio Bonos
Franco Ressel
Tiberio Mitri
Crew
Adriana Berselli
Costumes
Alberto Boccianti
Art Director
Bridget Boland
Screenwriter
Alberto Cardone
Associate Director
Franco Ferrara
Music Director
Sam Jaffe
U.S. prod
Angelo Francesco Lavagnino
Music
Nicolò Lazzari
Film Editor
Samuel Marx
Associate Producer
Samuel Marx
Story
Paolo Ojetti
Italian vers Screenplay
Barry Oringer
U.S. vers Screenplay
Barry Oringer
Story
Franco Riganti
Italian vers Screenplay
Franco Riganti
Original Story
Franco Riganti
Italian prod
Aldo Tonti
Director of Photography
Film Details
Also Known As
Damone e Pitias, Il tiranno di Siracusa
Genre
Adventure
Drama
Release Date
Jan
1962
Premiere Information
New York opening: 5 Sep 1962
Production Company
International Motion Picture Enterprises; Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc.
Distribution Company
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc.
Country
United States
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 39m
Sound
Mono
Color
Color (Metrocolor), Color (Technicolor)
Articles
Damon and Pythias -
A cut above the average Italian sword 'n' sandal release is 1962's Damon and Pythias, which was co-written and co-produced by Hollywood veteran Samuel Marx and distributed by MGM. TV star Guy Williams (Zorro, Lost in Space) and lesser-known TV actor Don Burnett head an otherwise all-Italian cast in a faithful adaptation of a Greek legend from the fourth century B.C. Departing from the norm of action dramas about evil rulers and muscular heroes, Pythias (Don Burnett) comes to Syracuse to ask Arcanos (Andrea Bosic) to return with him to Athens to teach his Pythagorean philosophy of the brotherhood of man. Pythias hires an outlaw, Damon (Guy Williams) to help smuggle Arcanos out, but is instead captured by the tyrant King Dionysius (Arnoldo Foa;), accused of fomenting rebellion and sentenced to death. Pythias is permitted leave to settle his affairs and bid farewell to his loved ones, but only after Damon offers to serve as a hostage to guarantee his return. As the day of execution nears Dionysius seizes upon Pythias' no-show as proof that there is no such thing as a brotherhood of man. The critics of the Monthly Film Bulletin habitually found favor with Italian genre films, and praised Damon and Pythias for doing without mass battles, gruesome tortures or gladiatorial combat. Even dismissive American critics noted the fine cinematography of Aldo Tonti, the music of Angelo Francesco Lavagnino and the beauty of actresses Ilaria Occhini, Liana Orfei and Maria Berti. They also noted the fine direction of Hollywood veteran Curtis Bernhardt, who uses no gratuitous shocks or violence, and stages the suspenseful execution scene before a setting sun.
By Glenn Erickson
By Glenn Erickson
Damon and Pythias -
A cut above the average Italian sword 'n' sandal release is 1962's Damon and Pythias, which was co-written and co-produced by Hollywood veteran Samuel Marx and distributed by MGM. TV star Guy Williams (Zorro, Lost in Space) and lesser-known TV actor Don Burnett head an otherwise all-Italian cast in a faithful adaptation of a Greek legend from the fourth century B.C. Departing from the norm of action dramas about evil rulers and muscular heroes, Pythias (Don Burnett) comes to Syracuse to ask Arcanos (Andrea Bosic) to return with him to Athens to teach his Pythagorean philosophy of the brotherhood of man. Pythias hires an outlaw, Damon (Guy Williams) to help smuggle Arcanos out, but is instead captured by the tyrant King Dionysius (Arnoldo Foa;), accused of fomenting rebellion and sentenced to death. Pythias is permitted leave to settle his affairs and bid farewell to his loved ones, but only after Damon offers to serve as a hostage to guarantee his return. As the day of execution nears Dionysius seizes upon Pythias' no-show as proof that there is no such thing as a brotherhood of man. The critics of the Monthly Film Bulletin habitually found favor with Italian genre films, and praised Damon and Pythias for doing without mass battles, gruesome tortures or gladiatorial combat. Even dismissive American critics noted the fine cinematography of Aldo Tonti, the music of Angelo Francesco Lavagnino and the beauty of actresses Ilaria Occhini, Liana Orfei and Maria Berti. They also noted the fine direction of Hollywood veteran Curtis Bernhardt, who uses no gratuitous shocks or violence, and stages the suspenseful execution scene before a setting sun.
By Glenn Erickson
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
Filmed on location in Italy. Opened in Rome in September 1962 as Il tiranno di Siracusa; running time: 102 min. Alternative Italian title: Damone e Pitias. Sources conflict in crediting the role of Mereka.
