I’ve seen Ator: The Fighting Eagle (1982) before, the Mystery Science Theatre 3000 version from the Netflix revival awhile back, but I decided to watch it without the commentary, inspired by it being on Tubi (naturally) and it being on this excellent Bong Hit/Van Mural list. Ator is a Conan The Barbarian knock-off by Italian exploitation director Joe D’Amato, which even has a knock-off James Earl Jones as the villain, and a knock-off Sandahl Berghman as the valkyrie warrior companion. Miles O’Keefe is Ator, born with a birthmark that foretells a prophecy where he is destined to defeat the evil ruler known as the Spider-King. Taken from his mother and raised in secret, Ator is now a tall muscular man who wants to marry his sister (wait, he’s adopted so it’s… okay?). With his furs and his leathers, and his big puffed-up blonde hair, Ator looks more like he’s a member of Whitesnake. When his wedding is interrupted, his village massacred and his sister-bride kidnapped by the Spider King, Ator takes off on a perilous quest.
Ator: The Fighting Eagle is not objectively good. It’s cheap nonsense with actors running around with fake swords in the Italian woods during the late afternoon sun. Right up to a climax featuring a giant spider puppet that is very reluctant to be fully seen on camera (an indication of how bad the creature puppet is). And yet the knockabout low-rent effects produces effective medieval fantasy vibes, like a witch revealing her true face that looks like putty zombie make-up applied with a trowel, or undead warriors shuffling out of the sun’s glare blasting through woodland trees. Or Ator claiming his rightful sword from a low angle, and golden light cast across his face. Even to the burning flame in the title credits to the opening narration over snowy mountains hitting you over the head with nonsensical ramblings of lore… I was into it and its generally serious approach to the derring-do, even with the cutesy cutaways to Ator’s baby bear companion (editors working overtime to make it look like the baby bear is helping Ator out).
When I want medieval fantasy, this is the type of schlock I’m into, forever chasing the hazy Fulci’s Conquest vibes, though there will never be another Conquest. Still, this clips along to a full 90 minute run time and while its PG-rating will disappoint those looking for more blood and sleaze, it still gets the paperback fantasy painted cover feeling. Recommended. Keen to check out the other three Ator movies!
VHS Tracking 