ODE TO GRECIAN SPORTS

In their never-ending quest for realism the motion picture companies travel to the ends of the earth for authentic locales and spare no expense in obtaining technical consultants to coach actors for their roles. Thus, when an Oklahoma! is to be filmed, the company does not sit in Hollywood; it goes to Arizona. Similarly, when Robert Rossen, an independent American producer, decided to film Alexander the Great, a story of the man who conquered the Middle East and penetrated India, Rossen hied his crew to Spain. The script for this United Artists release called for some colossal coverage of Greek games and sports. To be certain actors such as Richard Burton showed proper form for the ancient sports, several prominent Spanish athletes were hired to instruct the thespians in their specialties. Actor Burton, for example, was painstakingly coached in throwing the discus by Miguel Quadra, three-time amateur discus champion of Spain, even though today's discus style is quite unlike the toss of antiquity. Realism was further advanced by having Spanish athletes actually perform in the film. Spanish acrobats became gymnasts; muscular José Del Pino, twice Spanish shot-put champion, hurled a discus; basketball player Mario Camus tossed the javelin and Alfonso Abelanda, a leading rugby performer, jumped hurdles. Outside expertise, in fact, was lacking only in the swordplay, but the company was quite confident that it could supply its own authentic swashbuckle.

PHOTO

ARISTOTLE (BARRY JONES, LEFT) CHATS WITH ALEXANDER THE GREAT (RICHARD BURTON) WHILE SPANISH ATHLETES APE THE GREEK WAY CRITICAL EYES OF FILM-MAKERS

PHOTO

ACROBATIC ACTORS, members of a professional Spanish troupe, perform for the benefit of movie technicians before taking roles as Greeks.