Mythology a la Italiana

This film I remember seeing in elementary school and what fun now to introduce it to my own class.  Part of the culmination of our unit on Greece is to watch this classic film from 1955.  It is a great film to show as there is not only dialog, but action and at least two mythological creatures: Polyphemus the Cyclops and Circe the Sorceress.  The actors in this film were at one time world class actors.  But to my students, they are men and women who bring the saga of Ulysses to life.  There are the inevitable chuckles of seeing grown men in very short tunics, and women in gaudy but colorful gowns.  There is the inevitable question, "Did they use green screen for some scenes?"  God bless this tech savvy generation!  The story held their interest; and this class has not complained about dialogue laddened films.  They even wanted to see for a second time the cyclops episode.  Towards the end of the film, the kids were so caught up in this adventure, that it was most pleasing to see that even in 2009, a simple film from 1955 could enthrall the most critical of audiences.  After the film, one of my brighter students said, "You show the best movies."  And if it piqued their curiosity, thank you Hollywood.  And Hollywood, you will always have children enjoying the films that inspired today's storytellers.

Let's hope you make more films that celebrate the mythology of all cultures!!