Goliath and the Dragon

Goliath and the Dragon

Year: 1960

Runtime: 87 mins

Language: Italian

Director: Vittorio Cottafavi

AdventureFantasyAction

A heroic warrior returns to his homeland only to find it threatened by monstrous foes—a swarm of giant bats, three‑headed dogs, and a ferocious dragon. He embarks on a perilous quest across rugged lands, battling each creature with skill and courage. To rescue his wife and protect his people, he must confront these beasts and thwart the schemes of a tyrannical ruler.

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Timeline & Setting – Goliath and the Dragon (1960)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Goliath and the Dragon (1960). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Ancient mythological era

Set in a mythic, ancient world of gods, monsters and heroic quests. The Twelve Labours frame the era as a time of tests, prophecies and divine interference. The period is defined by heroic feats, divine schemes, and fatal destinies rather than modern chronology.

Location

Underworld, Thebes, Arena, Hercules Home

Set against a mythic landscape that spans the Underworld, Thebes, a public arena, and Hercules' home. In the underworld, Hercules battles monsters to retrieve the blood diamond. Thebes is the center of royal plots where Eurystheus schemes against him. The arena and the hero's home anchor the story, contrasting public spectacle with private peril and the looming prophecy.

🌌 Underworld 🏛 Thebes 🏟 Arena 🏠 Hercules Home

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:38

Main Characters – Goliath and the Dragon (1960)

Meet the key characters of Goliath and the Dragon (1960), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Hercules (Goliath)

A mighty demigod whose legendary strength drives the action. He enters the underworld, defeats monsters, and retrieves the blood diamond, all while torn between protecting his family and resisting Eurystheus's deadly orders. His steadfast bravery surfaces as he rescues friends, fights for love, and struggles with a looming prophecy that could alter his life forever.

💪 Hero 🗡️ Warrior 🗡️ Monster-slayer

Eurystheus

The cunning king who engineers Hercules's death to gain leverage against Thebes. He manipulates Hyllus and pursues marriage to Thea, using political plots and manipulation to try and control the hero. His schemes set the fire of conflict that drives the tragedy forward.

👑 Tyrant 🪙 Manipulator

Deianira

Hercules's wife who embodies devotion and self-sacrifice. She agrees to offer her life to the gods to fulfill a dire prophecy concerning Hyllus. She is also drawn into the danger when a centaur abducts her as a hostage, highlighting the high stakes of the hero's world.

💖 Wife 🕊️ Sacrifice

Alcinoe

A slave girl who aids Hyllus by delivering a potion that Eurystheus intends to weaponize. She is later spared by Hercules during a bear incident, showing her precarious position in a power struggle built on fear and manipulation.

🗝️ Ally 🐻 Survivor

Ilus

A young figure marked for execution in a public display, threatened with being crushed by an elephant. Hercules intervenes to rescue him, underscoring the brutal show of power at stake and the protective instinct of the hero.

🏟️ Innocent 🛡️ Rescued

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:38

Major Themes – Goliath and the Dragon (1960)

Explore the central themes of Goliath and the Dragon (1960), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔮 Fate

A central thread is prophecy guiding key choices, such as Hyllus' fate and the cost to be paid by the woman who loves Hercules. Gods and oracles cast a shadow over every decision, pushing characters toward predetermined outcomes. The plot turns on efforts to avert or fulfill a destiny that seems to control the living world.

🗡️ Betrayal

Eurystheus corrupts royal power by manipulating Hyllus and orchestrating plans to weaken Hercules. His schemes hinge on jealousy and political maneuvering, using hostages and threats to achieve his end. The drama shows how ambition can drive friends and family into deadly conflict.

🛡️ Heroism

Hercules battles monsters, rescues allies from execution and bears the burden of protecting his family. His courage is tested by underworld trials, palace intrigues, and personal sacrifice. Despite manipulation and danger, he persists to shield loved ones and counter prophecy.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:38

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Pulpy mythological swashbucklers like Goliath and the Dragon

Heroic quests bursting with monsters, magic, and high-stakes action.If you enjoyed the heroic feats and monster battles in Goliath and the Dragon, you'll love these movies. This thread gathers similar fantasy adventures and mythological epics characterized by fast pacing, intense action, and classic swashbuckling heroes facing larger-than-life threats.

swashbucklingpulpyheroicintensemonster battlesmythologicalquestaction

Narrative Summary

The narrative is typically a linear, episodic quest where the hero must triumph over a series of formidable challenges, often culminating in a final confrontation with a primary antagonist or monstrous foe. Character arcs are straightforward, focusing on the hero's growth in strength and resolve rather than complex internal conflict.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here based on their shared vibe of high-energy, pulpy adventure set in a mythic world. They feature similar pacing, intensity, and a focus on visceral, action-packed spectacle rather than nuanced drama, creating a consistently thrilling and heroic experience.

Heroic quests with a cost like in Goliath and the Dragon

Victories are hard-won, tempered by sacrifice and lingering threats.For viewers who appreciated the mixed ending and themes of sacrifice in Goliath and the Dragon, this thread highlights similar adventure movies and fantasy stories where heroism comes at a price. Discover films where victory is bittersweet, marked by personal loss or unresolved dangers.

heroicanxiousdesperateself-sacrificemixed endinghigh stakestense

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a hero achieving their primary goal—often saving loved ones or a community—but at the expense of something personally valuable, such as a relationship, their innocence, or their own safety. The conclusion acknowledges the win but underscores its price, leaving a sense of sobering reality amidst the celebration.

Why These Movies?

This thread unites movies that share a specific emotional arc: the blend of heroic success with tangible consequence. The similarity lies in the 'mixed' feeling of the ending, where the excitement of victory is balanced by a medium level of emotional weight from sacrifice or ongoing conflict.

Unlock the Full Story of Goliath and the Dragon

Don't stop at just watching — explore Goliath and the Dragon in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Goliath and the Dragon is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Goliath and the Dragon Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Goliath and the Dragon, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Goliath and the Dragon Summary

Goliath and the Dragon Timeline

Track the full timeline of Goliath and the Dragon with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Goliath and the Dragon Timeline

Goliath and the Dragon Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Goliath and the Dragon that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Goliath and the Dragon Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Goliath and the Dragon

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Goliath and the Dragon: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

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