Starring Kirk Morris, Michele Girardon, Manuel Gallardo, Mario Feliciani, Jose Jaspe
Directed by Anthony Dawson
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
After her father is assassinated by an evil usurper, a royal princess flees her city and wins the devotion of the mighty Anthar, who sets out to restore her family to the throne.
Originally titled Anthar The Invincible, per Wikipedia, the film was acquired and repackaged as an episode of The Sons Of Hercules TV series, which is how it gained the "Devil Of The Desert" title. Unlike other sword and sandal efforts, there are no mythical creatures for the musclebound Anthar to fight, but it's not a bad production, with some impressive Italian vistas, a plethora of period costumes, and experienced director Antonio Margheriti at the helm (credited here as Anthony Dawson). The film also has some novel deathtraps for Anthar to face, including a narrow arena featuring a charging rhino, and a hall of mirrors in which villain Feliciani taunts him. Girardon was exceptionally cast as the leading lady, bringing across the true regal bearing of a princess, although for me at least, Morris, didn't come across as well. I'd still call this one of the better films of its genre, although the addition of a monster or two would have charmed me more.
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