This Italian Indiana Jones inspired adventure, from director Antonio Margheriti, certainly seems to have its fans, but I'm not one of them, finding the low rent action on offer rather tedious.David Warbeck stars as world-class cat burglar Rick Spear who is enlisted to help locate a Turkish temple where, as legend has it, lies the tomb of demigod Gilgamesh, whose jewelled sceptre bestows the bearer with great power. Out to prevent Rick from succeeding is a descendant of the demigod, Prince Abdullah (Aytekin Akkaya), who sends his men to kill the adventurer.With its 'exotic' locations an overcast Istanbul and a drab desert, 'exciting' car chase scenes achieved via remote-control vehicles, two ageing overweight Sallah-style sidekicks, and a 'lost' temple that is so easy to find I'm surprised that there wasn't a tour guide and a gift shop, The Ark of the Sun God is stodgy schlock that rarely kicks into gear, idling away until the predictable ending when the bad guy battles our hero while stone columns collapse around their ears.4.5 out of 10, rounded up to 5 for Susie Sudlow as Rick's eye-candy girlfriend Carol.

Rough'n'tumble professional burglar and safe cracker Rick Spear (the late, great David Warbeck in fine rugged form) is hired by smarmy, crippled British millionaire Lord Dean (a pleasingly smooth portrayal by John Steiner) to retrieve a sacred scepter that belonged to the god Gilgamesh from a temple in Istanbul. The nefarious Prince Abdullah (neatly essayed with sneering aplomb by Aytekin Akkaya) also wants to get his evil hands on the scepter. Capably directed by Antonio Margheriti, with slick cinematography by Sandro Mancori, a steady pace, a lively, rousing score by Aldo Tamborelli, a loose and engaging chemistry between Warbeck and Steiner, a groovy rocking theme song, a likable breezy tone, and several stirring well-staged action sequences (I especially dug the nice use of funky miniatures for the car chase scenes), this film overall delivers the goods in a commendably straightforward and unpretentious manner. Warbeck and Steiner both excel in their roles; they receive solid support from Susie Sudlow as Rick's sweet, fetching girlfriend Carol, Luciano Pigozzi as boozy, amiable old-timer Beetle, Ricardo Palacios as sly criminal Mohammed, and Achille Brugnini as Lord Dean's loyal servant Rupert. A perfectly entertaining little diversion.

ARK OF THE SUN GOD is an INDIANA JONES & 007 copy that's an okay time waster. The real reason to watch this Italian made film is David Warbeck (THE BEYOND) who's a great action star, imo. He would have made a fun James Bond. The production values are good. I really enjoyed the car chase made with models, not real cars. And some of the effects at the end were pretty good. But the whole film is hampered by a grubby look/feel about it (dark and dreary sets; the two old and overweight men at Warbeck's side) and a vivid sense of Deja Vu for anyone who has already seen YOR, THE HUNTER FROM THE FUTURE, which sorta keeps it from being more fresh and fun. And that stupid song was really annoying. But it's a must-see for fans of David Warbeck. Those who don't know him or Italian cinema in general will probably not like this though.

The dream team of Antonio Margheriti, David Warbeck and John Steiner reunite for a thematic sequel to Hunters Of The Golden Cobra, and its a beauty, as good if not better than the earlier film. Warbeck is on top form and John Steiner is as magical as ever in a rip roaring adventure that will keep you hooked until the credits fade. Good guys, bad guys, fisticuffs, car chases and a lovely in joke about Roger Moore. This is a wonderful film.