screenshots / Son of Samson (aka: Maciste in the Valley of the Kings) / 1960 Unidis Jolly Film SRL.

Released in Italy as Maciste nella valle dei Re (Maciste in the Valley of the Kings), this peplum classic (aka: Maciste the Mighty) was directed by Carlo Campogalliani, whose other credits include Goliath and the Barbarians(1959) and Sword of the Congueror (1961).

American bodybuilder Mark Forest stars as the mighty hero Maciste, who saves the life of a prince and then leads a revolt against an evil queen.

Filming locations included the Valley of the Kings in Egypt (known for it's pyramids and ancient monuments).

Mark Forest had once auditioned for the role of Tarzan and also was one of the musclemen featured in actress Mae West's Las Vegas stage show.

Other sword-and-sandal films starring Mark Forest include Mole Men Against the Son of Hercules (1961), Colossus of the Arena (1962) and Goliath and the Sins of Babylon (1963).

Mark Forest passed in 2022 at the age of 89.