Director: Antonio Margheriti

Cast: Tab Hunter, Rossana Podestà, Umberto Melnati

Synopsis: Genies help an Arabian bandit locate a magic arrow he needs to claim heirship to the sultan’s kingdom.

The Golden Arrow was a pleasant surprise: having seen a number of cheaply produced, and poorly scripted and acted Italian adventure movies from the 60’s, I was expecting more of the same when I started watching this Tab Hunter vehicle. However, right from the start it’s clear that this movie’s budget is far superior to others of its kind. Set design is colourful and imaginative, and the film is crammed with special effects that, while they may look a tad clunky today, must have been pretty close to cutting edge back in the mid-sixties.

The script is mediocre, to say the least, but no more than you would expect from a film that is primarily aimed at kids, and, although the story is full of holes, it is imaginative and entertaining enough to be forgiven. In fact, the only real cause for complaint is the irritating theme music that is played every time Tab Hunter’s three celestial guardians appear on the scene. Watch The Golden Arrow without any lofty expectations and you should find it quite enjoyable.

(Reviewed 3rd May 2002)