If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

I find this one quite fun! Hercules is clever and remembers what he is told about Hades: "Don't believe everything you see here". And what our hero is doing in Pluto's underworld, Hades, is to find a magic stone from there in order to free his lady love from evil.Surreal and eerie imagery in this particular film - it is set in Hades. This film there isn't much in the way listen to but a whole lot to see... sure there is dialogue but as long as you know why Hercules is in Hades you really don't have to listen - just veg out and watch the film - dig on the cool imagery. LOL. The story is OK enough though.What is weird: Seeing Christopher Lee's face and hearing another actor dub his voice into English. I guess Lee had other things going on so he couldn't dub his own voice back into English(?) - guessing.This film is just a fun fantasy adventure - one to kick back and enjoy! 8/10

In order to save his beloved "Princess Deianira" (Leonora Ruffo) from a delusional trance "Hercules" (Reg Park) must venture through the land of the Hesperides and into Hades itself in order to retrieve a sacred stone which will revive her sanity. On the way he and his two friends "Thesus" (George Ardisson) and "Telemachus" (Franco Giacobini) must battle all sorts of evil creatures in order to accomplish their mission and return to Icalia. And even then they must also endure the wrath of Pluto for the abduction by Thesus of his favorite daughter "Persephone" (Ida Galli). Anyway, as far as the merits of this particular Hercules film is concerned it had some good points and some bad points as well. First, I thought some of the dark and gloomy sets featuring plenty of smoke and good lighting effects were a very nice touch. Additionally, having two beautiful actresses like Leonora Ruffo and Ida Galli certainly didn't hurt either. On the other hand, some of the special effects during the action scenes were almost laughable. Likewise the acting wasn't exactly top-notch either. Still, it was a fun movie all the same and I give it an average rating.

Mario Bava's distinctive touch is obvious in HERCULES IN THE HAUNTED WORLD; the beautifully-lit sets (and miniatures) literally shine. (As do Reg Park's glistening pair of pecs, for that matter.) This is my second-favorite Bava film- a close second to PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES (which likewise boasts eerily-but-beautifully-lit sets). The highlight (for me) would have to be the non-stop attack by the flying vampires (whose resurrection reminds me more than a little of the resurrection-to-come in the kung fu fright flick, THE LEGEND OF THE SEVEN GOLDEN VAMPIRES). Just when it looks like our hero might tire from overexertion (ripping loose and lobbing stone pillars takes a lot out of you, you know), there's light at the end of that there long, dark tunnel. Suspenseful stuff, if you ask me. A bit slow at times, perhaps, but a good Bava film nonetheless.

Fantoma has done an incredible job of bringing this film to light and I look forward to their Kenneth Anger compilation that is supposed to be coming out this summer. I have read on and off over the years that this Hercules film by Mario Bava was supposedly the best one of all and after finally getting a copy, sat down to watch it and was truly knocked out by the visuals. I've never really been interested in the Herc. series, I've tried watching a few of them but they are soooo boring! Mario Bava lovingly designed this film and it has all of his special touches. Fantastic set pieces are shown during the treks through Hades and a very creepy atmosphere that goes beyond smoke and mirrors draws you in. Film obsessives who appreciate interesting cinematography and lighting will definitely want to own a copy of this. I understand why in various genre film magazines, articles, etc. this film has been rated as the better of the Hercules films. Without ruining it for anyone, I'd like to mention some of the most beautiful scenes include the visits Hercules makes to The Oracle, just breathtaking in its composition, lighting, and framing and when the zombies rise to battle Hercules (Truly Creepy! and these Zombies run! which surprised me especially since the film was made in the early sixties.) My advice to viewers is to watch the film in Italian with English subtitles. The dialogue just sounds more intense and the film in English just sounds incredibly stiff and cheesy and really distracts you. This release by Fantoma is definitely worth having in your film library.