Figure 1.--Tommy Rettig is seen herewith Peter Ustinov on the set of "The Egyptian". I'm not sure about the accuracy of the costuming.

Many films have been made with classical settings, especially Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Reflecting the importance of religion in America, quite a number of films have been made with biblical settings. Generally boys have small roles in these films. In some cases the openings scenses has children representing the major protagonists.

Egypt

(The) Egyptian - (US,1954)

Reasonable historical drama. Hollywood made several biblical films during the 1950s. This one was based on the book by Mika Walrari. This one was panned by reviewers as wooden. Tommy Rettig appears as a small boy at the end of the movie with his usual overacting. He wears a tunic. I'm not sure about the accuracy of the costuming. I think for example a poor boy would have been unlikely to wear sandals--especially leather sandals.

Greece

Mikres Aphrodites - (Greece, 1963)

"Mikres Aphrodites" (Young Aphrodites) was made in 1963. The cast included Takis Emmanuel, Stathis Giallelis, Yannis Jeannino, Vangelis Joannides, Constantin Papacostantinou, Eleni Prokopiou, Kleopatra Rota, Anestis Vlahos, and Zannino. It is set in ancient Greece, about 200 B.C. The movie focuses on a wandering band of shepards. They happen into a small village where there do not happn to be any men because they are away fishing. Two romances follow. Two of the shepards (a man and boy) fall in love with a oman and girl from the village. Many of the actors were acually sheepherders. The film is based on the fable of Daphnis and Chloe. The film won the Berlin Film Festival, and the International Film Critics Award. There is an English narative.

Rome

Created: August 9, 2001
Last updated: August 9, 2001