Hercules, Prisoner of Evil

Directed by Antonio Margheriti (Cannibal Apocalypse), with help from assistant director Ruggero Deodato (Cannibal Holocaust), this mid '60s horror/peplum gives very little indication of the future gory delights to come from either film-maker: Terror of the Kirghiz is strictly family friendly fodder, as brave warrior Ursus (muscleman Reg Park) protects his people from a marauding monster (a man in an unconvincing mask and hair glued to his torso), wicked tyrant Zereteli (Furio Meniconi), and a scheming witch, Amiko (Mireille Granelli).

Lots of dull dialogue and badly choreographed fight scenes make for a really boring viewing experience, with Park putting in a forgettable central performance as the bland hero: the bodybuilder might have the physique, but he sure lacks the charisma. Mind you, with such an uninspired script and flat direction from Margheriti, he never really stood a chance.

This movie begins with a monster that is terrorizing the surrounding countryside which is divided between two different tribes. One side is led by "Hercules" (Reg Park) while the other has a regent named "Prince Zerah" (Furio Meniconi) temporarily in charge until "Princess Amiko" (Mireille Granelli) is ready to assume the throne. However, Prince Zerah doesn't want to surrender his power and being jealous of Hercules he decides to blame him for the monster's destruction. He also attempts to kill Hercules on more than one occasion with no success. Meanwhile, the monster's reign of terror continues. Now rather than reveal any more of the plot I will just say that this movie was a bit underwhelming for a couple of reasons. First, although he has played the part several times previously, it didn't seem like Reg Park was as fully committed or utilized for this particular effort. Additionally, the reasoning for the monster's presence wasn't demonstrated very well either. Even so it wasn't a terribly bad movie with both Maria Teresa Orsini (as "Katya") and the previously mentioned Mireille Granelli providing some beauty to an otherwise drab affair. Slightly below average.

Ancient peplum hero Ursus is now doing his thing in Eastern Europe where the Mongol conquerors are running things but with arrangements with the locals. Not anyone in the cast looks remotely Asian however, especially one who as it turns out is the lost princess daughter of the Great Khan who was murdered in a palace coup.

Anyway the usurper and his partner who is a sorceress have the common serfs under control, but for Ursus who leads one of the tribes. The sorceress gets the big guy under her control and turn him into some kind of ravenous beast.

Good thing the good guys have someone skilled in the black arts who brings Ursus around.

Just like Hulk Hogan going over to the dark side.

Quite rare stuff. Two masters of Italian horrors Antonio Margheriti and young Ruggero Deodato directed this film in 1964. It has a lot to do with antique fairy tales and the screenplay is really original. Ursus is the prototype of Conan and other muscled heroes of fantasy movies. He is real hero in this film, fighting against evil, black magic, selfish king with a small number of friends, like Robin Good. Good fighting scenes really liked them. Good costumes and rather progressive score. Bewitched fighters turn in to werewolves like monsters. So this is a real epic fantasy with wise dialogs and 60s colors. Andrey Tripod "www.myspace.com/neizvest" Quite rare stuff. Two masters of Italian horrors Antonio Margheriti and young Ruggero Deodato directed this film in 1964. It has a lot to do with antique fairy tales and the screenplay is really original. Ursus is the prototype of Conan and other muscled heroes of fantasy movies. He is real hero in this film, fighting against evil, black magic, selfish king with a small number of friends, like Robin Good. Good fighting scenes really liked them. Good costumes and rather progressive score. Bewitched fighters turn in to werewolves like monsters. So this is a real epic fantasy with wise dialogs and 60s colors. Andrey Tripod "www.myspace.com/neizvest"

URSUS, THE TERROR OF THE KIRGHIZ (aka: HERCULES, PRISONER OF EVIL) stars Reg Park as Ursus / Hercules.

After a caravan is decimated by a werewolf (aka: a hairy man in a cape, shrieking like a hyena that's being electrocuted), Ursuscules jumps right in to help get to the bottom of things.

Meanwhile, the sinister Prince Zereteli uses the incident as an excuse to kill his enemies, and to get Hersuscules out of the way.

The werewolf continues its rampage, while Urcules goes shirtless, eventually getting his chance to toss the Prince's soldiers around like ping pong balls!

A later entry in the muscleman epic craze, the addition of the "monster" is novel, though not that effective. Still, Park does his best with the material...