Ever likable B-movie star Miles O’Keeffe dons fur rimmed boots in this the first of three films in which he plays the character of Ator (although in the third movie it is actually debatable if it is the same character)

This is an interesting entry in the sword and sorcery genre in that it’s screen violence is extremely mild in comparison to many of it’s brethren. In fact it comes across in many ways as a sort of Conan for a younger audience. This is even more surprising considering that it was directed by the late, great Joe D’Amato, -an incredibly prolific director who is probably best remembered for filming both some of the most notorious ‘video nasties’ around and a very long list of porno films!

So what of the quality of the film itself?

Well, actually it’s rather good in fact!

The numerous challenges that Ator faces as the film progresses, are each like miniature stories within themselves so the proceedings luckily never get dull. One particularly effective scene for instance, involves Ator and his sword swinging female companion being pursued by an undead army who are accompanied by an ever present and ominous fog (obviously inspired by John Carpenter’s film) Another (this time rather amusing) scene has Ator actually battling his own shadow! But the very best bit is at the films climax when Ator battles a rather embarrassing looking giant spider which flails around in much the same manner as a fish out of water!