It should no longer be any news to anyone that showing films in an aspect ratio other than the one in which they were shot is not a good idea. That maxim applies to good and bad films alike, and in the case of a film as poor as Ursus and the Tartar Princess is especially relevant. After all, if widescreen spectacle isn't available to atone for a multiple of other sins--bad dubbing, poor acting, unimaginative direction, bland story--you're really not left with much at all. Whoever did the telecine work on this film was probably being paid at piece rate, because their efforts were minimal at best. Almost every scene includes either action or dialogue (or even both) that occurs off-screen, thus rendering much of the film incomprehensible. As for the story, it's the usual ahistorical hokum about sinister Eastern hordes threatening angelic Europeans. Perennial bad guy Andrea Aureli puts in an appearance, Akim Tamiroff punches the time clock, and Yoko Tani looks nice. And as for star Joe Robinson as Ursus--well, let's just say he's no Dan Vadis.
Review of Tartar Invasion
