Zorro contro Maciste (1963)

User Rating:

4.0/10   

Director:

Umberto Lenzi

Writers:

Umberto Lenzi (writer)
Guido Malatesta (writer)

Release Date:

18 December 1963 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Drama

Plot:

The king of Nogara dies, leaving behind a will naming one of his nieces as his successor. Will it be blonde and virtuous Isabella or evil...

Plot Keywords:

Arrow In Chest | Strongman | Will | Whipping | Cousin

Cast

Pierre Brice	...	Zorro / Ramon
Sergio Ciani	...	Samson / Maciste (as Alan Steel)
Moira Orfei	...	Malva
Maria Grazia Spina	...	Isabella de Alazon
Andrea Aureli	...	Rabek
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Gianni Baghino	...	Paco
Ignazio Balsamo	...	Joaquim
Aldo Bufi Landi	...	Deikor
Antonio Corevi	...	Don Manuel
Rosy De Leo	...	Carmencita (as Rosy di Leo)
Franco De Simone
Attilio Dottesio	...	General Saveria
Loris Gizzi	...	Don Alvarez
Renato Malavasi	...	Alonzo
Nello Pazzafini	...	Rabek's Henchman
Sina Relli
Gaetano Scala
Andrea Scotti	...	Pedro
Massimo Serato	...	Garcia de Higuera
Attilio Torelli
Amedeo Trilli	...	L'Oste
Nazzareno Zamperla	...	Sadoch

Directed by
Umberto Lenzi

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Umberto Lenzi		writer
Guido Malatesta		writer

Produced by
Fortunato Misiano	....	producer

Original Music by
Les Baxter		(US version)
Angelo Francesco Lavagnino

Cinematography by
Augusto Tiezzi

Film Editing by
Jolanda Benvenuti

Set Decoration by
Salvatore Giancotti

Costume Design by
Walter Patriarca

Production Companies

• Romana Film

Distributors

• American International Pictures (AIP) (1963) (USA) (theatrical) (dubbed)
• Film Regina
• e-m-s the DVD-Company (2007) (Germany) (DVD)

Also Known As:

Samson and the Slave Queen (UK) (USA)

Runtime:

USA:86 min

Country:

Italy | Spain

Language:

Italian

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-16

Company:

Romana Film

Quotes:

Samson: I have a strange destiny. I seem to always be searching for new adventures, new dangers.

Movie Connections:

Edited into 42nd Street Forever, Volume 2: The Deuce (2006) (V)

A cinematic jewel!

This rare costume adventure differs from other Italian films made in the same era, for it actually takes place in a setting highly reminiscent of 16th century Spain. When the king of Nogara dies of the plague, his two nieces, Malva and Isabella, find themselves in a bitter deadlock for the throne. Malva, the evil one, gets Garcia, the captain of the guard, to intercept the king's troops and confiscate the scroll-case containing the king's will. To this end, Garcia employs Samson (Alan Steel) to steal the scroll-case and deliver it to Malva. Of course, Samson does not know what she has in mind. Meanwhile, Isabella enlists the aid of Zorro (Pierre Brice) to get the scroll-case himself, and thus thwart Malva's evil plans. I really enjoyed this film because it contains lots of action and vibrant colors, as well as a nicely done soundtrack. Alan Steel is at his best, and Pierre Brice is perfect in his role as Zorro. Lenzi has created a worthy film, and it will survive many viewings. It is a shame that this is unavailable on VHS or DVD. Well, maybe soon!