Mole Men Against the Son of Hercules
Maciste arranges for himself and his new friend Bangor to be captured by a mysterious band of white-clad marauders and taken to an underground city. There the two are forced to turn an enormous wheel along with other captives as part of a gold-and-diamonds mining operation. The underground city's queen, Halis Mosab, takes note of the handsome, muscular Maciste and chooses him to be her consort if he can meet such challenges as saving the kidnapped Princess Saliura from a gigantic ape. Maciste kills the ape and carries Saliura back to the aboveground world. The white-clad marauders can't follow them if it means being caught in the sunlight which instantly dissolves them. Maciste then returns to the underground city to save the other captives. Meanwhile, high priest Kahab informs his son, Katar, that their queen is not one of them but, unbeknownst to her, was kidnapped as a small child from the "world above." If Katar can marry her...
Insights
Plot Summary
In the mythical land of Irindia, the tyrannical King Phorbus seeks to exploit a rich vein of gold discovered by a tribe of subterranean mole-men. He orders his soldiers to enslave the mole-men and force them to mine the precious metal. The Son of Hercules, a powerful and virtuous hero, arrives in Irindia and is immediately drawn into the conflict.
Critical Reception
This peplum film, a staple of the genre in the early 1960s, is generally regarded as a typical, if somewhat low-budget, entry. While it features the expected elements of muscle-bound heroes, ancient myth, and fantastical creatures, it is often criticized for its predictable plot and dated special effects. However, it has garnered a cult following among fans of classic Italian adventure cinema.
What Reviewers Say
- Fans often praise the film's campy charm and the presence of Mark Forest in the lead role.
- Critics frequently point out the simplistic storyline and the less-than-impressive special effects.
- It's considered a quintessential example of the 'sword and sandal' genre of its era.
Google audience: Audience reception on Google is largely unavailable, but those who have seen it often appreciate its nostalgic value and its straightforward, action-oriented plot typical of its genre.
Fun Fact
The film was originally released in Italy as 'Maciste contro i Ciclopi' (Maciste against the Cyclops) and was later re-edited and re-dubbed for its international release as 'Mole Men Against the Son of Hercules', featuring a different protagonist name.
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