Goliath and the Dragon [Special Edition]

"Originally titled La Vendetta di Ercole (The Revenge of Hercules), this Italian and French sword-and-sandal production was quickly imported and ""improved"" by American International Pictures to tap the Italian adventure market opened by the success of Joseph E. Levine and Hercules (Levine may have owned the ""Hercules"" moniker, hence the re-titling). Bodybuilder Mark Forest (born Lou Degni) proves a capable replacement for Steve Reeves, and his physical appearance and prowess more than compensate for his bland performance. A dubbed Broderick Crawford proves a solid (in every sense of the word) heavy as the vicious King Eurytheus, whose plans for conquest are thwarted by Goliath at every turn. The host of monsters Goliath faces throughout the course of the film are woefully threadbare, to say the least, which may prevent younger viewers (the film's target audience) from being truly engaged in the film. However, Jim Danforth's stop-motion dragon (added after the film was brought to America) is an impressive if fleeting moment, and the action is plentiful enough to please most fantasy and Hercules film fans. Something Weird Video and Image Entertainment's DVD provides a gorgeous widescreen print as well as a host of extras, including numerous trailers and a co-feature, the 1965 sword-and-sandal Conqueror of Atlantis, starring Kirk Morris."