L'assedio di Siracusa (1960)

It's sad that I'm the first one to review this film,which appears to have been entirely forgotten even by those few who have actually seen it. It's an interesting combination of factual historical epic and romantic drama that really deserves to be rescued from obscurity. Taking place over about 20 years,it's about the Greek inventor Archimedes,who lives on the island of Syracuse and is promised to be married. However,he falls in love with a gypsy dancer. When she is kidnapped and taken to Rome,a knock on the head causes her to lose her memory and she marries a Roman general. I'll not reveal any further plot twists,so to keep some surprises,but the turns are many and often strange.

For what initially seems like a historical actioner there is very little action until the final quarter,which has some impressive scenes on probably a limited budget,especially a scene where Archimdes uses sunlight and mirrors to burn the Roman fleet. Despite showing some historical events which probably did happen,it's more than anything a love story,oddly reminiscent of Random Harvest in it's amnesia theme. Despite being pretty unbelievable,it really works in a old-style,corny way if you surrender to it. Towards the end,a powerful sense of sadness and loss pervades the film and it's ultimately quite moving. Perhaps the final scenes are a little rushed though.......In fact there is the odd awkward edit every now and again,as if the film had been cut down somewhat.

Rosanno Brazzi convinces as the love-struck inventor,and there is some beautiful photography {such as when Archimedes first sees his love swimming in a pool},but probably even more notable is the great score from the neglected composer Francicso Lavagnino,which contains a truly gorgeous love theme. Indeed there are so many good things about this film that it's near invisibility beggars belief.

I first saw this film nearly 15 years ago on British television {in a season of mainly rather dull Italian sword and sandal movies}subtitled,and it left a great impression. Luckily,I managed to find somebody who had taped it and copied it. I've since managed to obtain a DVD,but this film demands a legitimate release on DVD with English subtitles so more people can know of this movie.