The Throne of Fire

There is something quite attractive about those Italian rip-offs. Everything seems to be more dramatic but will less talent. Throne of fire sure is one of those. You get everything you paid for, cheesy lines, inept acting, boring sequences after boring sequences and probably the worst villain ever.

If you're into those kind of films, you'll get what you're looking for and much more. The "pit of madness" scene, whatever is it called was hilarious, a classic Z-grade moment. Personally, I got a kick of watching this, just a glimpse of the cover art and I knew I was in for something "memorable".For the rest, quite a crap fest with some weird entertaining scenes but nothing good really.

The beautiful princess Valkari (Sabrina Siani) must marry the evil Morak (Harrison Muller, whom I remember from "She"), otherwise he cannot sit on the Throne of Fire and become rightful ruler. The hero Siegfried (Pietro Torrisi) goes on a mission to rescue the princess and prevent Morak's rulership.

If the storyline seems familiar to you: yes, we've seen it all before, and much better. This poorly staged movie ticks the usual boxes of the genre, and even other low-budget sword and sorcery flicks of that era shine compared to this ineptitude. It was the last movie Franco Prosperi ever directed and the last top-of-the-bill part in a cinema production for teenage queen Sabrina Siani who is familiar to fans of the genre from "Conquest" and the first "Ator" movie. You can easily give this a miss.

This cheapjack Conan rip-off is so mightily inept that the villain actually comes off appearing more sympathetic, interesting and intelligent, not to mention handsomer, than the hero. Surely this was an unintended consequence of the poor script and bad acting, the seemingly lumbering stupidity of the wooden muscle-bound hero and the obligatory trotting around cardboard sets in g-strings by these supposedly heroic do-gooders. This makes the Conan and Beastmaster films look like Ben-Hur and El Cid in comparison. The only (accidental)redeeming feature is the striking presence of Harrison Muller, Jr. as Morak a surprisingly appealing "bad guy." Both his person and his character stand out, perhaps largely due to the colossally boring nature of those around him. It's hardly his fault that he was warped by destiny as the plot would have it...the viewer can't help but root for him to succeed since he's the only one of any interest or appeal on scene.

A woman gives birth to the devils messenger's child abomination, Morak, who is destined to sit on the Thorne of Fire at any cost and marry Princess Valkari, only Siegfried, a mighty barbarian warrior stands in his way.

The late director Francesco Prosperi returns with another a swords and sorcery film. Prosperi and writers Giuseppe Buricchi and Nino Marino move away from the Conan copies of the time, opting for a more generic fantasy. It plods along like some films made 20 years prior. Disappointingly, there's a few jarring exposition voice overs and unnecessary slow motion scenes synonyms with Prosperi's work.

Lead Pietro Torrisi, in perfect He-Man-esque shape, handles the sword fights and action well, as he hacks his way through the flick, he has plenty of presence despite a lack of lines. Harrison Muller's heartless cocky Morak isn't the usual ugly old evil villian which makes a refreshing change. Although lacking screen time Sabrina Siani as Valkari is on form here and gets some sword play action. To Siani's credit she injects some much needed energy into the film, stealing every scene she's in.

The locations, castles, courtyards and sets; corridors, well/cave offer weight. The stuntmen set on fire and the effects are adequate enough (if dated even for 1983), the devils child puppet, burning throne, Moraks true zombie-like face, opticals visuals in 'the well of madness' to name a few.

Prosperi delivers a film that is reminiscent of swords and sandals old films of the 50s and 60s on a smaller B-movie scale. Due to the direction, pacing and cinematography it uncannily feels of that period, Carlo Rustichelli and Paolo Rustichelli biblical epic score (for the most part), the look of the cast only compounds the feeling.

On the whole, it's a vast improvement on Gunan il guerriero (1982). Intentionally or not, it's callback or homage to mythical tales of films gone by. Torrisi, Siani and Muller work wonders with what they are given. Despite its flaws, more importantly Francesco Prosperi goes out on a final movie high.

If you are like me...you don't mind spending a Saturday watching a poorly made movie with swords, magic, and beautiful leading ladies. The Throne of Fire is just such a movie.

The plot is basically good vs. evil. Satan's messenger and a witch have a son and he is raised believing no one can oppose him. He sets out to rule the kingdom. In order to sit upon the Throne of Fire (made by the Norse god Odin) he must be a rightful heir to the throne and sit upon it first on a solar eclipse. To obtain the right to the throne he kidnaps the princess of the kingdom and forces her to marry him. However, the good-guy barbarian Conan wannabe is there to try to save the day.

Plenty of sword fighting ensues and some pretty bad special effects. In my humble opinion this movie was too long and not worth much to anyone unless you enjoy the genre. The leading lady (Sabrina Siani) is indeed beautiful and I will try to find other movies of hers. Look for errors in this movie such as the Christian wedding ceremony in a Norse Barbaric period.