A typically dark and brooding Norse saga from Mario Bava, who had previously successfully contributed to the costume adventure genre with 1961's ERIK THE VIKING (and also uncredited on the same year's LAST OF THE VIKINGS). Although this is a small-scale film lacking in the spectacular battle sequences which highlighted many other European adventure films of the period, KNIVES OF THE AVENGER is nonetheless a powerful, human-focused drama with complex characterisation and a great visual look. Bava inserts lots of footage of the lonely and desolate countryside which gives the movie a really good setting and plenty of atmosphere, enhanced by some lush music.
The numerous fights in the movie are invariably suspenseful and well-staged, with a cat and mouse battle in a tavern being particularly suspenseful. Bava wrings above average performances from his cast, in particular Mitchell once again as the would-be "hero" of the film, who has a dark and deadly secret in his past this time. Mitchell undeniably bears traces of Eastwood's Man With No Name and Nero's Django with his mysterious stranger on horseback character and his performance strengthens the film as a whole. Elissa Pichelli is a strong-willed female (the only in the cast, aside from a wizened old crone) and David Warbeck lookalike Fausto Tozzi has fun playing the slimy villain, Aagen. Giacomo Rossi-Stuart also makes a dashing Harald, King of Norway.
Bava tends to keep the gore to a minimum in the film (aside from a couple of shocking severed heads) but has fun with some minor moments, like a playful scene in which a dog hides and whimpers under a table when the villain enters the room. KNIVES OF THE AVENGER is an intense and gripping saga worth seeking for fans of the costume adventure film, Mario Bava addicts, or just simply those looking to see lots of bad guys being killed by having knives thrown at them.
The numerous fights in the movie are invariably suspenseful and well-staged, with a cat and mouse battle in a tavern being particularly suspenseful. Bava wrings above average performances from his cast, in particular Mitchell once again as the would-be "hero" of the film, who has a dark and deadly secret in his past this time. Mitchell undeniably bears traces of Eastwood's Man With No Name and Nero's Django with his mysterious stranger on horseback character and his performance strengthens the film as a whole. Elissa Pichelli is a strong-willed female (the only in the cast, aside from a wizened old crone) and David Warbeck lookalike Fausto Tozzi has fun playing the slimy villain, Aagen. Giacomo Rossi-Stuart also makes a dashing Harald, King of Norway.
Bava tends to keep the gore to a minimum in the film (aside from a couple of shocking severed heads) but has fun with some minor moments, like a playful scene in which a dog hides and whimpers under a table when the villain enters the room. KNIVES OF THE AVENGER is an intense and gripping saga worth seeking for fans of the costume adventure film, Mario Bava addicts, or just simply those looking to see lots of bad guys being killed by having knives thrown at them.