Drakut il vendicatore

Somewhere in between the sword-and-sandals and spaghetti-westerns, the Italian film industry of the 1960s turned out a few costume-adventures which might, very loosely, be termed Renaissancers. They're set in post-medieval Europe and display swordplay, men in tights, buxom barmaids, coaches pulled by teams of horses, masked balls, etc. "Revenge of the Conquered" is a passable but undistinguished example of this minor genre, featuring the underused and now forgotten Burt Nelson, who only takes his shirt off once, and the lovely, always-watchable Wandisa Guida. To date, this is the movie's only review. It doesn't quite deserve such borderline oblivion but then, there's little reason to remember it.

(Note: the English-dubbed DVD print under review is in b&w rather than color and runs 90 minutes.)

"Drakut" (Burt Nelson) is riding back to his home when he espies a coach being attacked by some bandits. He rescues the occupant - a girl who is maid to the local Princess and he quickly discovers that his people - the Gypsies, and her's are being manipulated into a conflict that maybe only he can thwart. It is pretty obvious from the start who the maiden really is, but Luigi Capuano makes us wait a while before both that is confirmed, and before "Drakut" must face down the evil Grand Duke Atanas (Mario Petri) who is scheming to have his mother - the Queen of his people, burned as a witch. Things complicate further when the Princess's father is killed and she must nominate a regent - perilous times for all. It's quite a decent little peplum, this one. It moves along quite entertainingly with plenty of chases and swordplay. The combat scenes are way too choreographed, though - the fighting scenes wouldn't look out of place in a "Tom and Jerry" cartoon. The dubbing is fine, it does the job, and the characters offer just enough for 90 minutes to keep it watchable, if also entirely forgettable.

Drakut encounters and saves a pretty young gypsy on his return home from war, unaware that the gypsy girl is actually Princess Irina, and likewise she is not aware that Drakut is the son of the gypsy queen.

Princess Irina's father, Nicholas, is the fair ruler of the local kingdom, however, is often influenced by the evil Grand Duke, Atanas. Chaos ensues when Atanas has Drakut's mother burned at the stake after speculation that she is a witch. None-the-wiser to Atanas' evil motives Drakut blames Irina for his mother's death. Atanas then has Nicholas killed and blames it on Drakut.

When Drakut eventually learns the true identity of the gypsy girl as Princess Irina, he intends to kill her ...

Dragut the Avenger reminds me why I love costume swashbucklers as it has a gripping plot teeming with diabolical schemes, misunderstandings, thanks to an imposing and menacing Mario Petri and the duplicitous gypsy babe Moira Orfei - there's plenty of twists, lots of pretty cinematography of the Italian countryside and some exciting action, though a little on the overly choreographed side. The duel between Burt Nelson and Petri in the finale is excitingly done. Far from mediocre, it's quite an enjoyable feast with so much going on. Liked the romance and the good old fashion good vs evil theme. Maria Grazia Spina looks hot as a gypsy woman who fancies the hero. Wandisa Guida is enchanting as the princess.