Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageErcole alla conquista di Atlantide (1961)
Director: Vittorio Cottafavi
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Some extreme claims have been made for Cottafavi's sword and sandal epics, but essentially this example impresses by its simplicity and excellent pictorial values. Reluctant hero Hercules (Park) is hoodwinked into serving the Greek cause by quashing the scheme of the Queen of Atlantis (Spain) who, under the influence of the god Uranus, is producing a race of supermen. The knockabout comedy is unexceptional and most of the cast only adequate, though Spain delivers a high camp performance as the arrogant queen, letting off coloured puffs of smoke for her pleasure. Best of all is the dynamic design: deep and mysterious hallways, a team of white horses flying through subterranean tunnels, and a wholly identical super-race revealed from beneath their equally identical armoured visors.Author: DT
Cast & crew
Director: Vittorio Cottafavi
Producer: Achille Piazzi
Cast: Reg Park, Fay Spain, Ettore Manni, Luciano Marin, Laura Altan, Enrico Maria Salerno, Ivo Garrani, Gian Maria Volonté full cast
Genre(s): Epics
Duration: 101 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Our verdict on Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones
Peter Jackson ends a triumphant decade with a sentimental misfire with this lush Alice Sebold adaptation
On the set of Ken Loach's 'Route Irish'
Dave Calhoun meets Ken Loach on the set of his forthcoming Iraq war movie
Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'
Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Glorious 39’ is his first film for cinema since ‘Food of Love’ in 1997. Dave Calhoun met him
Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?
How does a film go from DIY experiment to box-office smash? 'Paranormal Activity' director Oren Peli explains
Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'
We talk to Steven Soderbergh about his two forthcoming films: one featuring a porn star, the other a chubby Matt Damon
A gateway to all things 'New Moon'
In anticipation of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon', Time Out is offering the chance to pick up a limited edition pack with three exclusive magazines and a free poster.
London Children's Film Festival
Read our exclusive reviews of films playing at the 2009 London Children’s Film Festival
The films that deserve a TV spin-off
With Roland Emmerich suggesting he'd like to make a '2012' TV spin-off, we propose some more movie-to-TV serialisations
The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'
Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’
Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam
In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations
What do you think?
Post your review now