THE GOLDEN VOYAGE OF SINBAD

The goddess Kali vs. Sinbad

THE GOLDEN VOYAGE OF SINBAD (1973). Director: Gordon Hessler. 

In the mythical kingdom of Marabia, Sinbad (John Phillip Law of Miner's Massacre) encounters the evil wizard Koura (Tom Baker). The disfigured Vizier (Douglas Wilmer), who always wears a mask and is now the ruler of Marabia, warns Sinbad that Koura is out to take over the kingdom any way he can. Accompanied by the Vizier, young Haroun (Kurt Christian), whose father pays Sinbad to take him along, and the beautiful former slave Margiana (Caroline Munro), among others, Sinbad sets sail for the lost world of Lemuria, an island that is all that's left of the mythical sunken continent. There Sinbad hopes to find the third part of a fabulous necklace or tablet with a map on it, as well as a great treasure. But he will face many challenges and monsters ... 

Caroline Munro and John Phillip Law

The Golden Voyage of Sinbad, with stop-motion FX work by Ray Harryhausen, may not be in the same league as such Harryhausen masterpieces as 7th Voyage of Sinbad and Jason and the Argonauts, but it is still an exciting, entertaining and very colorful fantasy flick. Law gives a personable and amusing performance as Sinbad, even if he may not be as beloved in the role as Kerwin Mathews. Tom Baker is good as Koura, but he lacks that certain flair and sinister charisma of such actors as, say, Torin Thatcher or Christopher Lee. Munro is decorative and adept enough and Christian displays a certain gauche charm. Takis Emmanuel scores as Achmed, Koura's uncertain assistant. An uncredited Robert Shaw plays the Oracle of All Knowledge who appears, unrecognizable, in a burst of fire. 

homunculus, Takis Emmanuel, Tom Baker,

As usual Harryhausen's creations steal the show: the tiny, winged homunculus that spies on the group for Koura; the wooden lady figurehead who pulls free of the ship and barrels across the deck; the slavering horror of the one-eyed centaur, who either wants Munro for his mate or dinner. The griffin is a slight disappointment, but the six-armed Kali statue who comes to life to dance and then battle Sinbad and his crew, is simply magnificent. Another plus is Miklos Rozsa's excellent score. One of the best scenes has nothing to do with monsters but is a suspenseful bit with Sinbad climbing out of a cavern through a hole in the ceiling as he dangles high in the air and nearly falls to his death. 

Verdict: Highly enjoyable adventure-fantasy film with some great FX work. ***.  

BETRAYAL

Amanda Blake

BETRAYAL (1974 telefilm.) Director: Gordon Hessler. 

Gretchen (Tihsa Sterling of The Name of the Game is Kill) makes a living as a companion to older ladies with money, and then robs them with the help of her abusive boyfriend, Jay (Sam Groom), who winds up murdering their latest victim. Gretchen next sets her sights on Helen Mercer (Amanda Blake), who is not quite as helpless as Gretchen might like, and certainly doesn't need her help with her finances. Pretending to be Gretchen's formerly estranged husband, Jay moves in as the two women bond. Gretchen just wants to live a normal life and leave Helen in peace, but Jay has no intention of walking away from a big score.

Tisha Sterling

Betrayal is a fairly standard telefilm that has a couple of twists and holds the attention. The performances are okay. Tisha Sterling is the daughter of Ann Sothern and Robert Sterling -- she's not a bad actress, she's just not very distinctive in this. A major cast surprise is that Helen's male friend who wants to marry her is played by an unrecognizable Dick Haymes, actor, singer and former husband of Rita Hayworth; he's fine. Sam Groom is also capable as the rather slimy Jay. The movie actually has an interesting plot but the execution is mediocre. At times this almost plays like a love story between Helen and Gretchen, and the ending is very satisfying. 

Verdict: Okay TV time-passer with some interesting elements. **1/4.