I was a huge fan of "Helen of Troy" when it came out back in 1956 and even had a Dell comic book, although it had a different ending because Paris survives.  When "Troy" was about to be released, I wondered if it would measure up to the film I remembered and loved so well.  I was so very disappointed in the new movie.  It seemed to be the love story of Achilles and Briseis rather than Helen and Paris. Eric Bana made a very impressive Hector and the combat scene between Hector and Achilles seemed a more even match.  Sean Bean was an excellent choice for Odysseus, friend to Achilles.  But this film did not have the richness and grandeur of the classic.  In "Helen of Troy," the audience sees two unique people who seem to have a natural beauty and elegance and their love story is the background for everything that follows.  We continue to be reminded of how deeply they are in love.  Just at the point we finally want to believe that all is well, as the Greeks seem to be leaving the Trojan shores in defeat, we become drawn into the impending tragedy.  As the revelers drink and dance around the Trojan horse, Max Steiner's exquisite music sweeps us away setting the tone for each change in fortune.  The final ironic twist is when Paris, ever the optimist, tells Helen "the gods are with us," just prior to his battle with Menelaus.  With the death of her beloved, Helen's final memory recalls that "what has been lived and shared is never lost," leaving us to recognize that true love can even transcend death.   Color and re-mastered.  Excellent!

The Red Falcon is something of a Robin Hood story.  Raniero, Jacques, is returning to his home only to witness disturbing events brought about by the evil Barone Godfredo.   He thus hides his identity and pretends to be a meek scholar while setting about to bring the downfall of Godfredo and save his people from tyranny. Even though I did not understand everything that was happening, not being a speaker of Italian, I was still able to appreciate most of the story. The Red Falcon (Raniero) and his daring raiders abduct the evil Barons intended bride and humiliate him when she spends a 'first night' in the Falcons den.  I am still not sure why Raniero was given in marriage to the beautiful Clothilde but for some reason she betrays him to Godfredo and he becomes another victim of Godfredo's torture on the rack.  Happily, Clothilde realizes that she loves the swashbuckling Red Falcon (Raniero) and right does finally triumph.  Jacques is amazing as the meek scholar and displays his great talent at sword play.  Black and white in Italian with a nice sound track by Franco Casavola.  I plan to watch it many times.

Last Plane To Baalbeck involves a sweet paring between Jacques and his leading lady from  Helen of Troy, Rossana Podesta.  This is an enjoyable  tale of intrigue and international gun smuggling. Jacques, as Nick, displays the same kind of arrogance and elegance apparent when he played the prince of Troy although he is more jaded and cynical this time. His involvement in the story is clouded throughout the film, making a nice mystery. Having read the spoiler for this movie, I was waiting for the twist and kept on guessing right up to the end. Unfortunately, nobody asked me, but I would have preferred seeing Nick escape. Sigh! Black & white in English (dubbed)

Barrier of the Law tells of a mysterious young woman who falls in love with a police lieutenant investigating a gang of smugglers with whom her brother is involved.   Jacques is the young, handsome and helpful officer and does not understand her involvement in his case.  The story has all the necessary elements of a good mystery and Rossano Brazzi as the gang leader is just evil enough to be believable.  The music is nostalgic and perfect for the time, although it doesn't detract from the appeal or feel outdated.  I was rather surprised at the Italian police use of machine type guns circa 1950 but perhaps they were a carry over from the war.   A very good movie, one to enjoy again and again.  Black & white and dubbed.                 

Balearic Caper portrays a fanciful mystery taking place on the Balearic Island.  An assortment of adventurers attempt to steal a golden, jewel encrusted scepter for whom three people have already  been murdered.  Jacques is caught in a comedic situation competing with the others trying to replace the real scepter with a fake.  There are many hilarious moments and Jacques is also an inventor with a robot car that  acts like Herbie the love bug (this movie came out first.)  I loved the action and feeling of fun throughout the film, even though some of it did not make sense.   I do not know Italian and that could be some of the problem, but I loved it nonetheless.    In color and Italian.             

Parlez- Moi d'amour is a wonderful comedy with Jacques and singing sensation Dalida.  The film is in French with no subtitles  but after watching it several times I was able to determine that Jacques is trying to sign this woman to an American contract to represent her interests.  And a couple of detectives (?) are trying to determine if she is the heiress to a great fortune.  There is a great deal of slap stick silliness but that does not keep the story from being enjoyable and Jacques seems to be having much fun romantically pursuing Dalida while she does not seem to trust him at all.   I have watched it several times and each time understand more.  Much fun!!  In color and French.         

Jump Into Hell is another story of Jacques in love with a married woman.   Actually, it is a story of the French battle against the communists in Indo China just before the Americans become embroiled in swamps of Viet Nam trying to do one better than the French but failing miserable.  It is a story of courage under fire and though some reviews panned it, I think tells a good story.  It seems we have not learned much about war in the last 50 years.  I was amazed at the awful things the communists did trying to keep the French from obtaining water.  Besides burying themselves underground, blowing themselves up in suicide bombings and using every possible guerilla trick in their attempts to defeat the French.  Hmm. It could be a modern story.   If one can locate the movie, it is definitely worth a look or two.  Black & white in English.

Un Amore a Roma this film has such a wonderful flavor of the 60's.  I have enjoyed watching it just for that reason.  Jacques is not the star of the film and does not get the girl but he does seem to be having an enjoyable time portraying a 'friend' of the leading lady.  In one scene he is looking over the fellow (Marcello) whom Anna is dating.  Probably wondering if the guy was good enough for her.  This story feels very immediate and could easily have been filmed in 2007 but, with different background music.  Black & white in Italian. 

Notti di Lucrezia Borgia, Le a swashbuckling lark with Jacques in a similar situation as Red Falcon where is inhabiting a disguise in the midst of the enemy.  He is obviously an object of desire when Lucrezia sets eyes on him and it rather seems that he is attracted to her as well.  The heroine is long suffering as Frederico rescues her several times.  It seems to me that there was much plotting and betrayals in this Spanish version of the film.  Jacques looks absolutely beautiful and it is fun watching him wield his sword time and again.  Its tough to single handedly take down an enemy whose numbers just keep coming at you.  In color & Spanish.