Maciste et les filles de la vallée

Absolute tripe. Don't bother.

Find yourself something constructive to do.

Kirk Morris is in the best shape of his career in this odd story about Muslims fighting over land in the middle east. I should say trying to steal it from other tribes in the area. HERCULES is formed out of a "puff of smoke" and leads the oppressed on the path of justice. The title is clear when he has to stop slaves in a cave who bang on large metal sheets all day in the hope of keeping out intruders. That entire cave sequence was very well staged. Nadir Baltimore, who was a late comer to the Hercules era, has a small part as a chieftain. Kirk Morris (Adriano Bellini), usually looks too young in his movies but here he looks fitting in his role as the hero. Unfortunately the story doesn't even fit in with the Hercules legend. Morris is WASTED in this story.

Led by an attractive young woman named "Selina" (Spela Rozin) the Gameli tribe has wandered the desert in search of a land which was prophesied to them long ago. Unfortunately, they are barred from entering it because the only way to get there is through an extremely deadly pass known as the "Valley of the Thundering Echo". On top of that, a greedy queen named "Farida" (Helene Chanel) wants this land for herself and has ordered the complete annihilation of the Gameli tribe so that she can have it. However, the high priest of the Silver Temple knows all of this and summons "Hercules" (Kirk Morris) to guide the Gameli tribe to their rightful homestead. Now, as far as this movie is concerned I have to admit that it wasn't the best "Sword and Sandal" film ever produced. Far from it as the story meandered all of the place with some parts being more than a little odd. Still, it had a few good-looking women most notably Rosalba Neri (as the sorceress "Ramhis") along with the aforementioned Spela Rozin and Helene Chanel so I suppose it wasn't a complete waste. Still, it wasn't necessarily that good and I rate it as slightly below average.

Land of green pastures is protected from invasion by the mysterious Valley of the Thundering Echo. Queen Farida draws together the desert tribes to conquer the land, even though a prophecy has promised the land to the Gameli tribe. The Gameli journey to the Silver Temple, where the High Priest summons the legendary Maciste from the mountain rock to defeat their enemies and guide them to their promised land. Maciste materializes magically from a rock wall in a cave in this film, tying in with Maciste's claim in earlier films that his name means born of the rock.

There's another evil princess/ruler, well played by Helene Chanel, and she, like the other female players - Spela Rozin, Rosalba Neri and Genevieve Audrey- are a sight for sore eyes and a distraction from the tale - not that it's difficult as this Machiste set in the Arabian nights time is below average. It has too many characters and it seems to be a bit lethargic in its execution, however there are grand costumes and sets, rugged scenery. And beautiful horses! The idea of the thundering echo is good but I feel it needed more mystery and investigation - it concentrates too much on politics of the rulers. But hey it's not totally awful, but it's not spellbinding either.