This is the third out of four Ator films, and the sequel to MST3K's Cave Dwellers. This is probably the best shot but least entertaining film in the series. It was directed by someone other than Joe D'Amato who tried to take the subject matter seriously and make a dark, brooding Ator film. However, Ator and seriousness do not get along well at all. All Ator films are horrible. However, the other three are so horrible that they become funny because of their plagiarized plots, cliché characters, toy quality props, and outrageous dialogue. This movie has hardly any of these. It seems like there is nothing to this movie except for Ator and a Princess running around on a beach and getting into sword fights with the same group of extras over and over again. There is almost no plot to this movie: Ator has to defeat an evil witch by finding the "Golden Chest of the Ages". The movie's ending is not satisfying and does not resolve any elements of the plot; it's more like the movie just stopped when they ran out of budget. There is also little dialog; although the lines that are present are among the worst in the entire Ator Series. The evil witch character gets more dialogue and screen time than Ator, and she really gets annoying after a while. Much of the movie's running time is taken up with scenes where the witch takes the form of almost every other character in the movie just to trick Ator and make him flabbergasted.The best part about this movie is the filming locations and the cinematography. It was filmed on scrub deserts and ancient ruins on the islands of Malta and Gozo, including some of the oldest stone structures made by humans. In fact, the buildings in which Ator cavorts about are far more interesting than anything that happens to him in this movie. You might get some enjoyment out of the scenic backdrop if you turn off the sound to avoid the terrible music and witch cackling.

I must admit to being quite a fan of the B-movie magic that the first two Ator movies possessed. Granted they were no masterworks for sure, but they held a curious fascination in their muddled execution that somehow made them innately enjoyable.Sadly the same enjoyment is not heavily abundant in this the third film in the series, which also serves as the last to feature the always great value for money Miles O'Keeffe (there is a fourth film, 'Quest For The Mighty Sword' but it has a different actor in the role of Ator)The very first problem with this movie becomes evident as soon as the films score begins to play.....it is merely a resequenced version of Gerry Goldsmith's theme to Star Trek: The Motion Picture! (and also the main theme to the series of Star Trek: The Next Generation) In fact, as the movie progresses we also hear that the 'composer' for this film has also ripped off some of John Barry's score to Bruce Lee's movie, 'Game Of Death', again slightly re-sequencing it in a pathetic attempt to cover his unscrupulous tracks.It quickly becomes apparent that it isn't just the music that has been stolen however.....the whole film has been compiled from scenes from other (infinitely better) movies!For instance, we find a scene in which the movies evil sorceress is imprisoned within some spinning hula hoops whilst being judged by an external council: Hmmmm Superman 2 anyone?Still....one could argue that this IS after all a B-movie, which usually by their very nature are shall we say, HEAVILY inspired by bigger, better films, so we could perhaps overlook such blatant piracy - erm, I mean inspiration.OK then, so what of the actual plot?This had a plot? If there was one then I'll be damned if I could decipher it. It just seemed like a series of random, unconnected scenes that flowed briskly past my eyes rendering me into a gormless stupor.Well OK, I've been a bit harsh, I'll attempt to relay what I THINK was happening......At the start we see Ator and his twin brother as children (yes this film completely throws out of the window the events of the first two films) Ator's brother is subsequently kidnapped by an evil witch who's motive is to prevent a prophecy that together, the two brothers will overthrow her.You can probably guess that the brother is then possessed by the witch's evil and that he and Ator years later will end up battling each other to the death.There is more to the 'plot' than the above of course but the boredom this movie carried really proved a herculean obstacle in me paying particular attention to it.I realise that I've painted a universally negative picture of this flick so far but in fact this movie does have a few things that actually work well for it.Despite all it's plot/screenplay weaknesses, the movie does admittedly look fantastic. It was shot on location in the splendour of Malta and the locations used are truly stunning to behold.Additionally, the film itself is rather interestingly shot, with virtually every cinematic trick in the book being used at one point or another. It has a very arty feel to it with lots of unusual lighting and fog for greater atmosphere in many of the scenes. In fact with the above combined with the extensive usage of slow motion, one could be forgiven for believing that one was watching an eighties conceptual rock music video!Finally we have the welcome presence of Miles O'Keeffe who looks great in his role of Ator (although, the distinct lack of any continuity between his character in this film and the previous two would surely suggest that this is indeed a DIFFERENT warrior named Ator altogether) Overall then, aside from the aforementioned positive aspects, this really is somewhat of a confused mess that I could not recommend to anyone.However, I suppose one good thing came out of watching this film..... looking at the beautiful scenery where this was shot, I might just book myself a holiday in Malta this year.

I can understand why fans of Sword and Sorcery films might be disappointed with this film. However it is a distinctive tale with some genuinely artistic direction. The Maltese locations are inspired especially when you consider the mystique surrounding those early cultures.The action sequences don't stand up to modern scrutiny, but the hero certainly looks the part. Trogar isn't the worst unstoppable creature I've seen. The two leads are restrained - you might say 'wooden' but that works well if you accept the film's legendary feel.The real liveliness of the film comes from the Witchy bad girl who is clearly having fun; and the Timelord-style goddesses who oppose her.The film isn't exciting but neither is it predictable. The script isn't bad at all and seems to have some ambitions with regard to dualism and the need for balance in the universe.I won't throw my copy away.

"Iron Warrior" introduces a new style both for Ator (he has black hair now, in a ponytail, and barely utters more than fifty words in the entire movie) and for the series itself. Director Brescia drops the silliness and campiness of the two D'Amato-directed "Ator" flicks in favor of a pseudo-arty approach. He employs every trick in the book: slow-motion, fast-motion(!), wide-angle lenses, cheap editing tricks to make people "disappear", etc. But the result in nothing more than a ponderous, often incomprehensible film that you may have to struggle to get through. The Malta locations are admittedly very beautiful, though. (*)