If you have ever wondered how a costume action movie from Columbia Pictures could look like without the awful Sam Katzman as a producer, with this Phil Karlson's, you have the answer. The difference is obvious if you compare with the other numerous Katzman productions from this era for directors William Castle, Henry Levin... Here the budget is openly larger and you see it on screen. It is as good as the pirates movies made by Sidney Salkow; and the awful music - always the same I guess - from Katzman movies is absent.... John Derek is excellent here and Anthony Quinn exquisite too. A rare Phil Karlson's early material not to miss if you can. Forget the predictable plot.
Review of Mask of the Avenger
