The Giant of Marathon (1959)

Set against the turbulent backdrop of 490 BC, during the tumultuous era of the Medic Wars, "The Giant of Marathon" weaves a mesmerizing epic tale. The film introduces us to Philippides, an Athenian hero, who, fresh from his Olympic victory, is entrusted with the command of the Sacred Guard, Athens' last line of defense against the sweeping Persian forces. The city-state's liberty hangs in the balance, just a year on from the expulsion of the tyrant Hippias. A labyrinth of political intrigue unfurls as those still loyal to Hippias conspire to divert Philippides from his sacred duty. They plan to entangle him in a marital alliance with Charis, a high-priced servant to Theocrites, thereby incapacitating the guard. Despite their schemes, Philippides remains unwavering, his heart already claimed by the enigmatic Andromeda, daughter of Creuso, whose identity he discovers only later. The narrative intensifies as news reaches Athens of the Persian King Darius's formidable army advancing towards Greece, banking on internal strife to ease their conquest. Amidst this chaos, Theocrites advocates for negotiations with Darius, while others propose an alliance with Sparta as the Hellenic nation's salvation. Philippides embarks on a perilous journey to Sparta, surviving a treacherous assassination attempt, and secures Sparta's commitment to aid Athens in the looming battle. Meanwhile, Charis, left for dead after stumbling upon Darius's plans, manages to relay crucial information about a Persian fleet, led by traitor Theocrites, setting course for Piraeus to seize Athens. In response, Miltiades dispatches Philippides and the Sacred Guard to thwart the invaders until Athenian reinforcements can arrive. What follows is a display of exceptional athleticism and strategic superiority, demonstrating that the Sacred Guard's prowess extends far beyond traditional naval combat.

The Giant of Marathon is an adventure movie featuring Steve Reeves and directed by Bruno Vailati.

The Giant of Marathon is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Tubi TV.

It is also possible to buy The Giant of Marathon on Amazon Video.