In
"Hercules prisoner of Evil" Antonio
Margheriti create a well made mix between Horror
and Peplum. But the atmosphere it's
more similar to an Horror film, for the presence of a mysterious and
ghostly character, a sort of a Lycanthropic killer, which we'll discover
to be the victim of a magic potion able to transform a man in a beasts,
like a Dr. Jeckill e Mr. Hide in a barbaric
era. The same Hercules will become victim of this potion offered by Aniko (Mireille
Granelli) a beautiful princess, who will reveal herself to be a
terrible witch full of hanger of power.
Antonio
Margheriti has direct this film with the collaboration of Ruggero
Deodato, his assistant director for many years, in "Hercules
prisoner of Evil" as co-director. In fact, while Antonio
was busy preparing another project "The
Giants of Rome", which, as usual, was suppose to be shot
right away, Ruggero direct more than half of this feature film. Knowing
well the style of Antonio, and having watch this film recently, I can say
that it can be divided at fifty percent between the two directors. The
difference of style it's easily recognizable also on the scenes in which
Antonio was specialized: like the battles, the scenes in the caves of
Palazzolo (his favourites) and all the
special effects.
Even
if the film was released only with the name of Antonio Margheriti, (at
that time the Distribution companies did not like films directed by two
different names), I'm sure that Antonio would like that Ruggero's
work was recognized even by the public. For this reason I place both names
to share the Director credit in this page.
Edoardo
Margheriti
