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Hercules in the Valley of Woe

Original title: Maciste contro Ercole nella valle dei guai
  • 19611961
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
5.3/10
88
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
128,519
16,767
Hercules in the Valley of Woe (1961)
ComedyFantasySci-Fi
Two boxing promoters travel via time machine back to the days of Hercules, who must save them from Genghis Khan and the Mongol Horde.Two boxing promoters travel via time machine back to the days of Hercules, who must save them from Genghis Khan and the Mongol Horde.Two boxing promoters travel via time machine back to the days of Hercules, who must save them from Genghis Khan and the Mongol Horde.
IMDb RATING
5.3/10
88
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
128,519
16,767
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Mario Mattoli
    • Writers
      • Marcello Marchesi
      • Vittorio Metz
    • Stars
      • Kirk Morris
      • Frank Gordon
      • Bice Valori
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Mario Mattoli
    • Writers
      • Marcello Marchesi
      • Vittorio Metz
    • Stars
      • Kirk Morris
      • Frank Gordon
      • Bice Valori
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 3User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • Photos7

    Frank Gordon and Kirk Morris in Hercules in the Valley of Woe (1961)
    Kirk Morris in Hercules in the Valley of Woe (1961)
    Franco Franchi, Frank Gordon, and Kirk Morris in Hercules in the Valley of Woe (1961)
    Hercules in the Valley of Woe (1961)
    Hercules in the Valley of Woe (1961)
    Hercules in the Valley of Woe (1961)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Kirk Morris
    Kirk Morris
    • Maciste
    Frank Gordon
    • Hercules
    Bice Valori
    Raimondo Vianello
    • Rusteghin
    Mario Carotenuto
    • Comendatore
    Liana Orfei
    Liana Orfei
    • Dejanira
    Carlo Croccolo
    Carlo Croccolo
    • Fetonte
    Franco Franchi
    Franco Franchi
    • Francheo
    Gino Bramieri
    • Il Osservare
    Ciccio Ingrassia
    Ciccio Ingrassia
    • Ingrassiade
    Ave Ninchi
    Ave Ninchi
    Sandra Mondaini
    Gino Buzzanca
    Gianni Cajafa
    Gianna Cobelli
    Fanfulla
    Fanfulla
    Renato Maddalena
    Francesco Mulè
      • Director
        • Mario Mattoli
      • Writers
        • Marcello Marchesi
        • Vittorio Metz
      • All cast & crew
      • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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      Storyline

      Edit

      Did you know

      Edit
      • Trivia
        Italian censorship visa #35926 delivered on 10/14/61.
      • Soundtracks
        Ciao, tesoro
        Performed by Jimmy Fontana

      User reviews3

      Review
      Top review
      5/10
      Italian peplum comedy for those in a forgiving mood
      A refreshing comic take on the sword and sandal era that swept Italy during the period, MACISTE AGAINST HERCULES IN THE VALE OF WOE has a thin plot which is basically an excuse to throw two 20th-century characters into an ancient period setting, giving them ample opportunity to make fun of the peplum clichés and characters we are used to seeing from the time. Once you get over the fact that this film is an out-and-out comedy that doesn't even attempt to be serious, it becomes strangely entertaining. The comedy duo of Franchi and Ingrassia (think a kind of Italian Abbot and Costello) provide lots of quick-witted humour, even if most of it is quite dated and specifically cultural these days; their stupid antics are impossible to dislike too much.

      At least the film has plenty going on to keep it watchable. Various characters include the obese usurper of the throne and his wicked aide, complete with a pointy-beard thing going on; lots of silky female beauties filling up the court; bronzed and oiled muscleman Hercules (as played by Frank Gordon, who is particularly wooden AND muscular) going around fighting the Minotaur and Cyclops; a blue-wigged witch by the name of Circes, who can turn men into talking pigs with a single kiss and jealous rival muscleman Maciste (genre regular Kirk Morris, doing his bit but not appearing until an hour in, and even then only used as set decoration) who has a score to settle with Herc. Then there's dwarf wrestling, human candles, and even some 'cha cha cha' dancing!

      The special effects are particularly poor, and the time machine itself is simply a table with two chairs and an umbrella sat on it, which disappears in a single puff of smoke! The corny animated credits set the scene well and the film's sheer wealth of plot ingredients - all achieved on an obvious low budget - make it worthwhile stuff. Only the Italians could come up with something as offbeat and weirdly-plotted as this mess of a film, and yet still make it work.
      helpful•1
      0
      • Leofwine_draca
      • Aug 20, 2016

      Details

      Edit
      • Release date
        • October 19, 1961 (Italy)
      • Country of origin
        • Italy
      • Language
        • Italian
      • Also known as
        • Hercules in the Vale of Woe
      • Production company
        • Cinesecolo
      • See more company credits at IMDbPro

      Technical specs

      Edit
      • Runtime
        1 hour 30 minutes
      • Color
        • Color
      • Sound mix
        • Mono
      • Aspect ratio
        • 2.35 : 1

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