Der schwarze Bogenschütze

THE BLACK ARCHER is a routine Italian swashbuckler made just as the boom for peplum pictures was starting to take off. There's nothing much to distinguish this production from at least a dozen others - no big names, not particularly interesting story, and limited action - but it does pass the time if you're in the mood.

The Black Archer of the title is a Robin Hood-style outlaw who's busy seeking revenge for his father's murder at the hands of some particularly brutish villains. As is invariably the way, he discovers a conspiracy behind the deed, one which is close to home. As with many of the old costume adventures with Louis Hayward and Douglas Fairbanks Jr., the renegade hero sets about righting wrongs and avenging the dead.

The film was directed by Piero Pierotti, very much a second-rate writer and director of the era, whose other works include THE PIRATE AND THE SLAVE GIRL, A QUEEN FOR CAESAR, and HERCULES AND THE MASKED RIDER. Gerard Landry is the acceptable hero, and made a career in many long-forgotten movies. The most fun part of THE BLACK ARCHER is the main bad guy, a crippled, limping veteran who seems to bear much in common with Richard the III.

Lodrosio (Livio Lorenzon) and Lodovico (Erno Crisa) are hatching a dastardly plot that involves -- among other things -- land takeover and murder. A mysterious archer whose father is killed by their plotting is out for vengeance.

There's some good characterisation in this swashbuckler and that is of Lodrisio, a crippled villain with complex issues of feeling ugly and no woman wanting him. He's envious of another villain who is better looking and a lothario who seduces a gypsy girl in order for her to snitch on the hero whom she loves. Conflict surrounding them is interesting- such drama gives this typical swashbuckler a boost. Does tend to drag and it needed much more action, though the sword fights are decent. The strong point in this film is the villainy, their schemes and double crosses.