''Knives of the Avenger'' ( it, I coltelli del vendicatore) is 1966 Italian film directed by

Mario Bava Mario Bava (31 July 1914 – 27 April 1980) was an Italian filmmaker who worked variously as a director, cinematographer, special effects artist and screenwriter, frequently referred to as the "Master of Italian Horror" and the "Master of the M ...

. Bava entered production when it was already falling apart and re-wrote and shot the film in six days. It was credited to fictitious director John Hold.

Production

''Knives of the Avenger'' was a troubled production originally directed by

Leopoldo Savona Leopoldo Savona (1922–2000) was an Italian actor, director, choreographer, and screenwriter. He directed 18 films between 1954 and 1976. He was sometimes credited as Leo Colman or Leo Coleman. Life and career Born in Lenola, Latina, he sta ...

. Mario Bava entered into the production to complete it, rewriting and reshooting the film and finishing the production in six days. Film historian

Tim Lucas Tim Lucas (born May 30, 1956) is a film critic, biographer, novelist, screenwriter, blogger, and publisher and editor of the video review magazine ''Video Watchdog''. Biography and early career Lucas, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, was the only ...

described ''Knives of the Avenger'' as a remake of the film ''

Shane Shane may refer to: People * Shane (actress) (born 1969), American pornographic actress * Shane (New Zealand singer) (born 1946) * iamnotshane (born 1995), formerly known as Shane, American singer * Shane (name) Shane is mainly a masculine g ...

'' in a Viking setting. The film was shot at Titanus Studios in

Rome , established_title = Founded , established_date = 753 BC , founder = King Romulus (legendary) , image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg , map_caption ...

Release

''The Knives of the Avenger'' was released theatrically in Italy on 30 May 1966. It received a theatrical release in the United States in January 1968. ''Knives of the Avenger'' was released on DVD by

Image Entertainment RLJ Entertainment (formerly Image Entertainment) is an American film production company and home video distributor, distributing film and television productions in North America, with approximately 3,200 exclusive DVD titles and approximately 34 ...

on 26 June 2001.

Reception

"Byro." of ''

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

'' declared the film "a real surprise: a beautifully designed and exciting Viking tale from pseudonymous Mario Bava. Only subject and cast make this a programmer - but it's a top one."

References

Footnotes

Sources

External links

* 1966 films Italian adventure films 1966 adventure films Films directed by Mario Bava Films set in the Viking Age 1960s Italian films {{adventure-film-stub