Vulcan, Son of Jupiter (1962) - full transcript

Tired of the sexual escapades on earth by his daughter Venus, Jupiter, the god of Lightning, decides he shall marry her soon to one of the candidates: Maciste, a mortal working in Vulcano's cave, and Mars, the god of War. But Mars abducts Venus, allied with Pluto and Eris, and works out a plan involving a bamboo tower high enough for the soldiers of the Thracian King to attack Jupiter in the high Olympus. The gods' contend will be resolved in human fashion on Earth, where even gods are mortal.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-All the gods of Olympus,
Jupiter, our great father,

and you, Juno, mother bountiful
of the immortals, hear me.

Once again, Venus
has fed to Earth.

-Venus, my love.

-Adonis.

-A long I've awaited you.

-You must decide, Jupiter.

Make her return to
Olympus and punish her.

-It is difficult for the
great king of Olympus

to punish the most beautiful
woman in the universe.



Perhaps you are afraid
of the adverse reaction

of gods and mortals.

-Enough.

Your words, Pluto, are
as revolting as the fumes

from your kingdom.

-Why have you made
me wait for you?

Where were you?

Who were you with?

-Don't tire me with
your questions.

Don't ask me constantly what
I've done and what I shall do.

-But I have to know.

I suffer too much.

You prefer one of the
gods, Mars, even Vulcan.

You must tell me.



-Stop it.

You're jealous and stupid.

Why are you jealous, Adonis?

Do you believe I
could deceive you?

-Yes, I believe it.

In fact, I'm certain of it.

-Well then, why do
you wait for me?

I won't let you suffer for me.

Forget me if you can.

Do you think you
could forget me?

-No, don't say that.

It is impossible.

Venus, I love you.

And if you desire it, I'll
never be jealous again.

I'll wait for you always.

Promise me that
you'll come again,

that you'll return to me.

-But you know I will.

And even if you see
me with another man,

I won't have forgotten you.

-I'll show you, Pluto,
that I'm afraid of no one.

Venus!

-And now it's Father Jupiter.

That means he's
spying on me, too,

listening to all the gossip--

-Venus.

---on Olympus.

-Venus, don't forget me.

-Wait for me every sundown.

-You, Jupiter,
enjoy spoiling her.

And Venus takes advantage of it.

Her frivolity is
revolting, vulgar.

You'll see she'll disgrace us.

Jupiter, she needs discipline.

-Or a husband.

-You're right, Mercury.

A husband.

But where to find
one who can tame her?

-Let me.

Choose her a god brave
and patient, like Vulcan,

or a god who is brave
and forceful like Mars.

-All right, I'll see to it.

Now calm yourself.

I'm sure Venus
will see the light.

The idea of Vulcan doesn't
displease me, or even Mars.

-She'll love him.

-Well, Venus, do you intend
to be a good goddess?

-Father Jupiter,
I'm certain of it.

I promise.

VENUS (VOICEOVER):
The fires of Vulcan.

If in close quarters, you're as
ardent as you are at you forge,

you might be a good husband

-All Olympus speaks
of your workshop.

Beautiful.

Gigantic.

Worthy of a god.

Are you always alone?

Mmm?

Always alone.

-None of your business.

-Don't women ever
come to visit you?

-Venus, you mustn't provoke me.

When Father Jupiter has
decided who is to marry you,

Mars or myself, then I'll play.

Not now.

-I'd be content to
have you as a husband.

-Oh, you're so desirable.

-No, not now.

I'll be back.

-Why did you go to Vulcan?

Answer me.

No one else can have you.

You must come with me.

You will be the new
queen of Olympus.

Wait for me.

Tonight.

-I'll wait.

-Magnificent.

This shield is the one I want.

-I can't give it to you.

It's for Achilles.

-The god of war is more
important than a mere warrior.

-Don't insist.

-Vulcan, you heard me.

I mean to have that shield.

-No.

-Dirty blacksmith.

-Get out.

-You'll have to
force me to leave.

-Get out, I said.

-Stop!

Stop it.

Enough.

The very idea.

No one in Olympus can
resort to violence

without my express order.

You, Mars, will be
deprived of your powers

for two full months.

And you, Vulcan,
may not construct

arms for the same
length of time.

-Without the gods of fire
and war, how will we manage?

-Hmph.

-What about Venus?

-Keep quiet, Mercury.

Let's see which one
is the most deserving.

Venus will have to wait.

-Give my dagger back.

Thief!

Thief.

-Quickly, go to
the king of Thrace.

He'll help you.

-Thanks for your help, Pluto.

-(WHISPERING) Let's hurry.

-Vulcan!

Vulcan, I just saw Mars and
Venus flee from Olympus.

-The fools.

-Vulcan, you will join them on
Earth, but by the faster route.

[MANIACAL LAUGHTER]

-Aetna, there's a man here!

-Hm?

-He's a god.

-A god.

-Venus.

Venus.

-Why, it's Vulcan.

Vulcan.

-Vulcan.

[SCREAMING]

-Mars and Venus in my camp.

Gods of Olympus, why
do you honor me so?

-Milos, king of the Thracians,
great enemy of my father,

Jupiter, I, Mars,
god of war, am here

to propose to you a great plan.

-God of war when protected by
Jupiter, but when here on Earth

you're just a common mortal.

A great plan, hmph.

A great battle, you mean to say.

Against whom?

Why haven't you proposed
this to your father?

-My father's mind is very
far from ideas of war.

He is tired.

I am here to give you
more power, more honors.

-What do you want?

-I want your help to
fight my father Jupiter.

-No, silence.

Jupiter is the king of Olympus.

I am his enemy.

I don't accept his orders, but
I don't intend to attack him.

He's too powerful for me.

-With my plan, it
is possible for you

to become the greatest
king on Earth.

-How can I?

-In the third moon, I
will explain you my plan.

-That's enough.

There's plenty time
to think of war.

It isn't polite to think of war
when there's a lady present.

I'm certain that Vulcan
would be more gallant.

-Don't mention the name
of that dirty blacksmith.

[SCREAMING]

[MANIACAL LAUGHTER]

LIZARD MAN: So these are
the daughters of Neptune.

-I'll make you pay
for the malediction

the gods have placed on us.

Monsters we are.

You've condemned
us, and you'll pay.

Torture him.

LIZARD MAN: Tie him up.

-You can't leave him in the
hands of those monsters.

Help him, I beg you.

-No.

For so long as they are
on Earth, he and Mars,

they'll share the
fate of mortals.

-No, anything but that.

-But I don't understand why
you ever came into this valley.

-We wanted to care for Vulcan
before bringing him to Neptune.

Instead, he--

-It's a long time
since we've been here,

prisoners of these
terrible monsters.

They've invaded all of
the Earth that we know.

-If only we could warn Neptune.

-Why is Vulcan on Earth?

-I don't know.

We found him on the seashore.

He was murmuring
the name of Venus.

-Venus?

Even he dreams of Venus.

-Be quiet, you.

You're never to
pronounce that name.

For you, I must be the
only Venus in the world.

Do you understand?

-Please, you mustn't quarrel.

Let's be concerned
only with our escape.

-It's impossible.

Never has a prisoner
succeeded in leaving

this gruesome
cavern of monsters.

-We must wait until
Vulcan recovers

and regains his strength.

Vulcan, do you hear me?

How can we escape?

-Try to get a
message to Neptune.

-But no one can leave this
grotto, only the undines.

-I have an idea.

Bring the basket of refuse.

Geo, Geo.

-What can he do?

-He can blow a signal
on the conch shell.

-Oh, wake up.

Geo.

-What do you want?

-You must go to Neptune.

-Me?

No, no, no, no, no, no, no.

I don't know how to swim.

I don't intend to drown for you.

Go away.

Leave me alone.

-You try.

-Geo, Geo, Geo.

-Quit pushing, you bully you.

-Well, here goes.

You asked for it.

-No, no, no.

Don't throw me in there.

[GIGGLING]

[SCREAMING]

-Curses on Vulcan!

A man could get wet here.

Oh, please, Mr. Neptune.

-I'm just a Triton.

-Ooh, I'll wait for Neptune.

-A mortal?

In my kingdom?

Of what species?

-It is a man, sir.

-Is that possible?

But so brief.

Why then doesn't he move?

Is he dead?

-Release me, you Triton you.

-You have sounded
the conch shell why?

-Vulcan and Aetna are
prisoners to the monsters.

They sent me here to notify you.

But I didn't want to come.

I didn't want to come.
I didn't want to come.

I didn't want to come.

I didn't want to come.

-Enough, mortal.

Enough, I say.

-Do you know you're
rather nervous?

-And remove that thing
to Earth at once.

Proceed with your men to
the grotto of the monsters

and free immediately
Vulcan and Aetna

and bring them here to me.

-Punish Vulcan.

He alone is the culprit.

Venus loves Mars, so
why should he be exiled?

Only Vulcan should
remain powerless.

-Be still.

Their fate lies
in their strength.

I shall leave Vulcan and
Mars right there on Earth

until they decide to fight
it out between themselves.

-Wise is thy decision.

-Shut your mouth, Mercury.

These are not things
which concern you.

-So lose thyself.

-I don't share your opinions,
and I intend to intervene.

-It is I who am in command here.

I order you to keep
silent and don't even

comment upon my
manner of governing.

-It's too much.

-The tower will reach
the top of Olympus.

No mortal has ever hoped
to reach such heights.

When you and your warriors are
in front of the royal palace

of Jupiter, his
power will diminish.

I then, with all of my
forces and assisted by all

the other gods, will attack him.

-But don't you think
Pluto will impede

the construction of your tower?

-Pluto is my friend.

He's with me.

It is he who helped me
to flee from Olympus.

-Your plan is audacious.

Let me have time to decide.

-Please, Vulcan, be strong.

The Tritons are here.

Take my example.

Be strong.

[GRUNTING]

-Five months are not enough
to erect this great tower.

It is madness, folly.

You will need to find other
workers, strong and healthy,

men who are used to heavy
work, like the Sicilian slaves.

Of course, we could
steal the monsters.

-Good.

The more working
on it, the sooner

we'll reach Olympus, our goal.

I shall be the new
king of Olympus,

and you, Venus,
will be my queen.

-I shall sent my strongest
warriors before sundown.

They'll be ready.

-No, Milos.

I'll go alone.

Assure me of your
support, and I'll

make him kneel in
front of your throne.

-Now Mars dares to
rebel against me.

I shall destroy them all.

I shall wait until they
are prepared, and then--

-Then you could
try to stop them.

You are powerful.

But you don't have the
courage to fight now.

-Bear this in mind.

It's not my intention
to stop them now.

When in Olympus, all the
gods must obey my orders.

I am always the
strongest of the gods.

-How I'll miss you.

-You know how to
defend your liberty.

I'll soon be back to stay.

I'll be back.

[GIGGLING]

-Hail, Vulcan.

I am happy to have you with us.

I will have a celebration
in your honor,

and Aetna will dance for you.

MILOS: Venus.

Venus.

-So why don't you
sleep, king of Thrace?

Your eyes are so strange.

What are you thinking?

I can read your mind.

It's not a bad idea.

-Then you'll be mine.

-You must be patient.

You must wait.

Not long.

I'll tell you when the
right time has come, Milos.

-After years of being in chains,
you can now begin a new life.

Together we will
work hard because we

must for the future
of our people.

Our destiny assures
us of of prosperity.

And with the help
of the gods, we

can at long last be free men.

Once we are free--
run, the Thracians!

THRACIAN: Take him away.

-Yulo, Yulo, Yulo!

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Mercury.

Other than being the
greatest thief on Olympus,

you're the greatest
lecher as well.

Why did you interrupt
the dance of Aetna?

-Do calm yourself, all
powerful god of the sea.

I, Mercury,
messenger of the gods

have dared to interrupt the
beautiful dance of Aetna,

it is true.

Why?

Because a terrible crisis
has threatened Olympus.

Mars has rebelled against
our father, Jupiter.

-What news do you have of Mars?

-Be calm.

Mars and the Thracians have
imprisoned the Sicilians.

The My informant was a tiny
man, the only survivor.

Jupiter is in a great rage.

-Almighty Neptune, I
must return to Earth

to fight it out with Mars.

I shall mete out
justice for you,

for Jupiter, for Olympus itself.

-Very well, Vulcan.

You may leave tomorrow.

And to cheer you
on your way, I give

you all my faith and goodwill.

Go.

Mercury, if you can tear
yourself away, return

to Jupiter and tell
him that from me

he can expect the
loyalty of a brother.

-Vulcan.

Vulcan, don't leave
me here alone.

Take me with you, I beg you.

-No, Aetna.

You must remain here in your
own kind of world, far away

from danger.

Agreed?

-Why, Vulcan?

You love Venus.

-No.

Venus has caused
nothing but trouble.

-But I love you.

-Don't pout.

Don't insist.

-Vulcan.

-Aetna.

-Leave me alone.

-Why must you follow
me into the danger?

This venture is
far too perilous.

A woman couldn't
possibly face it,

and your presence would be
more a hindrance than a help.

Return, Aetna, to the
protection of the ocean

and of your own people
and try to forget me.

There's bound to be a
showdown between Mars and me,

and I don't want
you involved in it.

Leave me, Aetna, to take
care of this myself.

Geo!

Geo, it's Vulcan.

GEO: No.

-Why are you hiding?

-Oh, I'm afraid, Vulcan.

Mars and the Thracians
have imprisoned

Yulo and all the others.

But I'm afraid to go.

-You must come to
Thrace with me.

-Put me down.

Put me down.

As for Thrace, you can go alone.

I'm afraid.

The Thracians are terrifying.

I want nothing but peace with
the men, with the ladies,

with the gods.

Oh, please.

I'm afraid, I'm
afraid, I'm afraid.

-Afraid or not,
you'll come with me,

even if I have to use force.

-No, no, no, no, no.

Let me down.

Let me down.

Let me down.

Let me down, let me
down, let me down.

[GROANING]

-No, no, no, no, no.

You let me down, you big bully.

You're too stubborn.

No.

(SOBBING) Beware my wrath.

No, let me go!

[SOBBING]

-Let me down, you.

Let me--

[SPUTTERING]

-Let me down.

[SPUTTERING]

-Oh, you're so
stubborn, you big bully.

If you want my help, you'd
better treat me better.

I want to be left in one piece.

You understand?

-I understand.

-There are some horses.

They must belong
to the Thracians.

-Well, quiet.

-Yeah.
-We mustn't frighten them.

-Yeah, yeah.
-Come on.

-Come on.

Come along here.

[GRUNTING]

-Oh, you horse, you, you're
more stubborn than a mule.

-Good boy.

Easy does it.

That's right.

[GRUNTING]

-That's it.

Here I go.

Oh!

-What's so funny?

Come here and give me a hand.

You see what a little
cooperation will do?

Lead on, Vulcan.

-Get going.

-As you see, Mars is
faithful to his word.

Put them to the whip.

-Here is their leader.

-Filthy renegade.

-Insult me.

Go ahead.

I'll have my revenge.

I'll have my revenge!

-Dog.

-You who are goddess
of discord, sow

seeds of hate between
Venus and Aetna.

-Powerful god of
the darkness, it's

my duty to incite hatred
between gods and mortals.

-Hm, certainly.

-I like to.

-Agreed them, sweet sister mine.

You'll be richly compensated.

-They refuse to work.

-Miserable curs.

You'll need all the help
from your Vulcan you can get.

Take that.

[GROANING]

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[SCREAMING]

-Help me.

[WHIMPERING]

AETNA: Help me.

Help me!

-That's Aetna's voice.

I must go back there.

Turn around, you.

[AETNA SCREAMING]

[MEN SCREAMING]

-Boing.

Ding dong.

Ding ding dong.

Boing.

Boing.

Boing.

Place is crawling with them.

Look up there.

Hurry up.

[YELLING]

-Your future is not
promising, almighty Mars.

-Silly little man.

Mars does not fear his destiny.

-I predict days
of arduous battle.

The gods are furious.

They're all gathering to
defend the throne of Jupiter.

-(WHISPERING) What's this?

-I see advancing
into the great valley

of Olympus a mighty warrior god.

It is Vulcan.

With him there is
a pygmy-like man

and a woman, Aetna,
daughter of the ocean.

-Is she beautiful?

Tell me.

-So that's it.

You're jealous of that
clumsy blacksmith.

-We must hinder Vulcan's advance
until the tower is finished.

-Right.

Vulcan is faithful to Jupiter.

Give the order to your
warrior to capture him.

-The god of war against
the god to fire.

The victor will be my husband.

-I was wrong in having faith in
you, you pompous little gnome.

And as for leading me into
the valley of the Thracians,

why, you're no help at all.

-I'm sick of your
gripes and groans.

Just who told you I'm
obliged to act as a guide?

I didn't want to.

My hardy courage deserves good
treatment without the griefs.

If you intend to proceed, then
contemplate better manners.

That clear, partner?

Ooh.

You heard me.

What's up?

-Look.

These gloomy mountains,
they frighten me.

I never pictured them like this.

-Oh, you mustn't be afraid.

I'm here.

And then there's Vulcan.

Come, my dear.

-Elia, don't go now.

Wait 'til tonight.

It will be much
easier for you to get

through the Thracian lines.

-No, it isn't possible.

There isn't time.

Yulo must be told
that Vulcan is near.

Work on the tower must be,
simply must be slowed down,

no matter what the cost.

And it might very well
cost suffering and death.

Let's hope fortune is with is.

-Beware of the guard patrol.

It's always on duty
around the tent of Milos.

-Hey, what are you doing?

Why all the mystic movements?

-Quiet.

-Stop wasting time.

We must reach safety
before sunset.

Aetna is worn out.

-Please don't worry about me.

-Worry?

It might have been better if
you had thought of that before.

It's a little late now.

We still have a good three
days' journey ahead of us.

-I've got it.

We'll go on 'til sunset.

Now if I haven't lost
my sense of orientation,

this is the direction.

-Your majesty, I caught her
talking to the prisoners,

inciting them to slow
down work on the tower.

-This is because you
give too much, too much

liberty to these
swiny prisoners.

I'll have you whipped.

-Let me go.

Let me go.

I, I only gave them water.

-Water, eh?

Now you'll go without it for
three days and three nights.

Now ask your Vulcan for help.

-Why not?

He would never abandon us.

You can be sure he
means to avenge us.

He'll destroy you.

-Ha!

In that case, when he comes,
he'll give him a welcome.

Take her away.

Take her away.

-He'll come, and you'll
be destroyed, destroyed!

[GROANING]

-Well?

-He's almost dead.

Let's leave him be.

-Aetna, why are you crying?

Don't be annoyed
with me if I dispel

the silence of this
enchanted night.

I can't seem to sleep.

A voice haunts me.

Could it be that the same
voice torments you too?

-How could I be blamed if I
find it hard to believe you when

for days and days you've treated
me with utter indifference,

when in your heart there is room
only for Venus, who has put you

completely under her evil spell?

-No, Aetna.

For me she no longer exists.

My passion for Venus
was a moment's madness,

comet flashing
through the skies.

-Oh, if what you're saying
comes from your heart of hearts,

I want to be yours, all
yours forever, for all time.

I love you, and I'm so
deeply happy in my love.

-What's this?

I've got it.

Vulcan, unless I'm
a monkey's grandson,

we're not more
than a gallop away

from the Thracian horsemen.

Let's go and see.

-Wait here, Aetna.

Don't move.

We'll be right back.

-Vulcan, look.

Come here.

What did I tell you?

This is the camp
of the Thracians.

-Mars is a strong ally.

Let's go back.

-Halt.

[GROANING]

-Aetna?

Aetna!

Vulcan, look.

The Thracians' horses
have passed here.

They've carried away Aetna.

Come on!

-Hurry, go.

-Stay still.

Come here.

She was captured at the river.

She must be the woman who was
seen in the company of Vulcan,

but there was no trace of
him nor of the little fellow.

-Where did you leave Vulcan?

Tell me.

Tell me.

Speak.

Go ahead, answer me.

-I, I don't know what
you're talking about.

-No, don't kill her.

Vulcan's woman.

She'll be a worthy sacrifice
to the gods of Olympus.

[MANIACAL LAUGHTER]

-(SMUGLY) Hmph.

VULCAN: What's going on?

They seem to be celebrating.

What do you think?

-I don't think.

I act.

We'll soon know what's going to.

It won't be difficult
for me, young man.

Have faith in me and
you won't be sorry.

I can handle this.

-Then there's no problem.

-Certainly not.

-Yulo, Yulo.

-Listen, the Thracians
are preparing

for the sacrifice of Aetna.

Now is the moment.

Vulcan can't be far away.

-I promise this will be a
bitter moment for the Thracians

and for Milos.

GODDESS OF DISCORD (VOICEOVER):
Vulcan has forgotten you.

He loves Aetna.

He loves Aetna.

-Where is Vulcan?

When did you see him last?

Answer me.

-Slattern.

Vulcan detests you, and
you're repulsive to me.

-Vulcan, listen to me.

Do you guarantee that--

-Shh.

---(WHISPERING) everything
will be all right?

-Everything will be all right.

Don't worry, little man.

Take your position.

-I'm ready.

-Go on.

-Off to the wars.

Yulo, Yulo.

[BARKS]

-What?

Huh?

Geo.

-Be quiet.

Tell all the others
to get ready.

Tomorrow morning at dawn,
Vulcan will free you.

I'll be there, so take it easy.

Take it away.

-The limit of my patience has
been reached, my dear Pluto.

-And this isn't all,
my dear brother.

-I won't take any more of
this devilry from anybody.

Much less will I accept
it from the likes of you.

Go back to your world of shadow.

-No.

-I, king of Olympus,
command you.

Return to your realm of shadow.

-No.

I don't accept your orders.

No, no.

Never will I return, never.

-Be damned forevermore.

-Jupiter.

Now is the time to intervene.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Vulcan, free me.

-I'll free you.

-I'll take over.

-Thanks.

VULCAN (VOICEOVER):
The Thracians

are waiting for their king
to give the death command.

-When the command is given, go
ahead and attack the Thracians.

I'll take care of my end of it.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Take your positions.

-Minos, run to the chariot.

[YELLING]

-Geo.

[GRUNTING]

-Venus.

-Aetna.

[GRUNTING]

-Welcome, Vulcan.

-Mars.

I've been looking for you.

-Well, now you've found me.

-How dare you?

[GRUNTING]

JUPITER: Stop, Vulcan.

I have spoken my will.

I order you to put
down your arms.

Brother striking brother
defies the law of Jupiter.

[JUPITER CHUCKLING]

JUPITER: You needn't
attempt to escape.

The justice of the gods
demands your punishment.

In your immeasurable pride,
you have dared to defy Olympus.

Electing yourself
judge of your peers,

you have forgotten that only
I, Jupiter, king of Olympus,

father of all the gods,
father of the Earth

and of all mankind,
only I have the power

to judge and to condemn.

-The voice of Jupiter.

-I've had enough.

I'm getting out of here.

Goodbye, faithful ally.

-Hear me then.

It's time that Olympus
return to that state of peach

which you have
attempted to destroy.

To this end, I shall
punish you, Mars.

You have dared to oppose me.

I shall punish you, Venus.

You have abused the
gifts of beauty and love.

And you, Vulcan, who have
found among the mortals

that well-being which has
been denied you on Olympus,

you will remain on Earth
for so long as I wish it.

For so long as I wish it.

[JUPITER LAUGHING]

[MUSIC PLAYING]