Hercules in the Haunted World [Ercole al centro della terra] *** (1961, Reg Park, Christopher Lee, Leonora Ruffo, George Ardisson, Marisa Belli) – Classic Movie Review 11,471

‘SEE! Creatures of Pluto – evil Lord of the Underworld! SEE! Sunis – the giant from whose land no one returns! SEE! The ten terrifying tasks of Hercules!

Director Mario Bava’s cultish 1961 Italian Technicolor Totalscope Super/100 sword-and-sandal fantasy horror adventure film Hercules in the Haunted World [Ercole al centro della terra] stars British bodybuilder Reg Park as Hercules and Christopher Lee as his nemesis King Lico, along with Leonora Ruffo, George Ardisson and Marisa Belli. It is a good chance for Park to show his muscles, Lee to display his screen villainy, and Bava to show his visual and story-telling skills.

Hercules (Reg Park) learns his lover, Princess Deianira (Leonora Ruffo), has lost her senses and the oracle Medea (Gaia Germani), Daianara’s only hope is the Stone of Forgetfulness in the realm of Hades. Hercules, Theseus (George Ardisson) and Telemachus (Franco Giacobini), embark on a quest for the stone, unaware that Deianira’s guardian King Lico (Christopher Lee) is plotting to have Deianira as his bride.

The cast are Reg Park as Hercules, Christopher Lee as King Lico, Leonora Ruffo as Deianira, George Ardisson as Theseus, Marisa Belli as Aretusa, Ida Galli as Persephone, Mino Doro as Keros, Gaia Germani as Medea, Franco Giacobini as Telemachus, Rosalba Neri as Helena, and Ely Drago as Giocasta.

The story and screenplay are by Mario Bava, Sandro Continenza, Francesco Prosperi and Duccio Tessari.

It is shot by Mario Bava (cinematographer) in Technicolor and Totalscope Super/100.

Hercules in the Haunted World was released in Italy on 16 November 1961 and in the US in April 1964.

It runs 91 minutes (Italy), (84 minutes (US) or (77 minutes (UK).

Unfortunately, Christopher Lee’s lovely voice was dubbed by another actor for the English-language version.

Bava re-uses some of the same sets at Rome’s Cinecittà studios from Ercole Alla Conquista Di Atlantide [Hercules Conquers Atlantis] (1961) that also starred Park.

Reg Park in Hercules Conquers Atlantis (1962).

Roy ‘Reg’ Park (7 June 1928 – 22 November 2007) won the Mr Universe in 1951, 1958 and 1965, and starred in five films, four as Hercules. His films are: Ercole Alla Conquista Di Atlantide (1961) aka Hercules Conquers Atlantis (1962 UK title) Hercules and the Captive Women (1963 US title); Ercole Al Centro Della Terra (1961) aka Hercules in the Centre of the Earth (1962 UK title) and Hercules in the Haunted World (1963 US title); Maciste Nelle Miniere Di Re Salomone (1964) aka Maciste in King Solomon’s Mines (1964); Ursus, Il Terrore Dei Kirghisi (1964) aka Hercules, Prisoner of Evil (1964); and Sfida Dei Giganti (1965) aka Hercules the Avenger (1965).

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,471

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com