Hercules, Prisoner of Evil (1964) - full transcript

URSUS, THE TERROR OF THE KIRGHIZ

Take this.

Ursus!

Don't leave those skins in the sun
anymore or they'll dry out too much.

Take them down.
Load them in the cart.

The cart's just about ready.
Only the horses have to be hitched.

- Everything alright?
- Yes, all the skins are good.

And they're easy to work.

Next time we'll go hunting in the mountains.
Varo says there are lots of deer up there.

Ursus!

Ursus,



down there in the bottom of the valley,
There are 4 carts in flames.

And dead bodies.

The monster?

Yes.

I saw two women
three men-theirfaces.

It was terrible.

Let's go!

Wait, I'm coming!

Come over here!

If we can get him to Meriva,
Amok might be able to save him.

Look around through the woods,
there may be other survivors.

Afterwards come back to Meriva.

We'll have to organize
patrols for tonight.

Prince Zereteli,



Our patrols just brought
in an urgent message.

The monster struck again last night.

Give me the details.

Near Meriva. He attacked
a caravan of merchants.

They were all killed and disfigured.

Everything's burned.

Our patrols only heard
about it much later.

This is an area controlled

by Ursus and his men.

They're the ones responsible
for that zone.

Those cursed Cherkes!

The tribe of Ursus!

Traitors. Every one of them
The monster never kills them.

He only attacks us Kirghiz.

I'm sure the Cherkes are
behind all this.

We muststrike,

or we'll become slaves
to those barbarians.

You're right, we must
strike without hesitation.

Before we can attack the village,
we mustget Ursus out of our way.

I'll take a company of cavalry
on ahead through the Turgi woods.

We'll wait for you there.

Get away.

I did everything I could, Ursus.

If only he had lived.

He could have told us
about the monster.

Thank you, Amok.
I'll be back in a few days.

You'll need to keep sentries
posted all through the night.

And send out patrols.

Goodbye, sir.

What do you want?

The monster
has claimed more victims.

Why worry?

Are you afraid he'll displace
you on the throne of Sura?

Be serious, Aniko.

It's the man behind the monster who hopes
to siton the throne. And you know who that is?

- Go ahead.
- Ursus.

That's interesting.
It doesn't matter whether it's true or not.

You'll have to convince
your chiefs that it is.

What do you mean?

What I said.

But why won't you try
to understand me?

My dear cousin, when you
come of age in a few months,

you'll be proclaimed queen of Sura

So I've chosen a husband for you.

Really? Yourfriend Navar?

No, you will marry me.

The Prince Regent
will wed the future Queen.

This union will allow us
to dominate this country

against everything and everyone.

You seem to have forgotten the monster.

No, I haven't forgotten.

Because that is precisely why
you must marry me

When the panic spreads, all the
tribes will rise in revolt.

The Cherkes
will accuse us

and hold us solely responsible
for this situation

and thus seize power.

Ursus will find it child's play,

to have himself named Great Khan
without opposition.

If he really wanted the throne

who could say no? You?

If that's the case, why
does he need the monster?

You should know the reason.

Me?

I've always wondered if you
were the monster.

You'll pay for that!

No, Prince, I'm not afraid of you.
It's too late.

You should have gotten rid
of me ten years ago

it would have been easy then.

But even if you had eliminated
me as one rival

you'd still have Ursus
and the Cherkes.

It would be unwise of you
even to entertain the notion

of an alliance with
anyone but me.

All I ask is to
live my own life.

Very well.
And I will help you to live it.

We must strike again.

This symbol of death

which once guided
us into conspiracy against the Great Khan,

will again serve as a
sign of our new alliance.

The peril that threatens us now
is even greater than it was then.

We must swear to eliminate
not just one man

but a whole people:
The Cherkes.

Chance will designate
the murderer.

Only one of these daggers has a point.

The blade of freedom will liberate
us forever

from our bitterest enemy.
The head of Cherkes.

He must die.

You...

You.

You.

You.

You have been selected as
the instrument of fate, Nippur.

You're strong and fearless.

And you will find it easy
to fulfill our vengeance.

Patrolling every night,

and no sign of him.

He's staying away from Ursus.

How does the monster know where we are,
if we change zones every single night?

Maybe he just follows his nose
like any other animal.

Where is Zereteli? I'm going to
take you back to him.

He's in the village
beyond the valley

At the edge of the Turgi forest.

Saddle up the horses.

I'm going to deliver him
to his friend Zereteli.

Ursus...

You were right,
it was one of Zereteli's men.

Of course.

Zereteli would never dare face you himself.
That's why he's so treacherous.

Promise me you'll be careful.

I promise. If you'll stop taking risks.

But I had to come and warn you.

I love you, you know.

And I'm always so afraid for you.

Prince Zereteli,
a Cherkessia patrol is arriving.

I bring you back your friend Nippur,

who died trying to carry out
your orders.

Take the body inside.

I warn you, Zereteli.

If you want war,
I'll give it to you.

Your suspicions are unfounded.

You've been misinformed.
Nippur wasn't acting on my orders.

In any case, watch your step.

From this momenton,
you can't hide behind your men.

You falsely accuse me of a crime
I did not commit.

But you forget I'm Prince
Regent of Sura.

So let me give you
a little warning.

If you should try to impose your laws,

Sura will give you proof

of her power.

You'll pay for this.

Where's Ursus?

He's with his patrols on
the other side of the trap.

If the monster tries to enter
the valley tonight from this side,

he won't get away from us.

This side, you're right.
But from the south?

The monster.

Hurry Miko, call Ursus.
Give the signal.

I will.

The horses, in front!

Go!

There he is!

He's heading for the trap.
He won't get away,

Stop!

Free yourself, if you can.

Somebody cut me down. Help!

That's no monster.

Quick!

Hurry up! I'll get even with you!

You'll get what you deserve!

You're a band of idiots!
All of you!

Crazy!

Get me down! Outof this!

Stop looking at me
like idiots!

Release me!

Release me, you rabble!

Ursus will make you pay for this!

Release me, bandits!

- Get me down!
- Why should I defend you?

Because you're my brother.

Yio, my brother...

Lower him!

Welcome back to Earth!

Whatever made you run away
from your friends?

Friends... some friends.

The way you treated me,
I rather be your enemy.

Sorry, Yio.

Buta terrifying monster
lurks on our land. And we...

Thank you for the compliment.

Send him away.

Beware.

If I learn you've conspired
with Ursus, you're finished.

What will you do?

Will you poison me or send
the monster to me in the night?

It's time to marry.

We won't have to worry about it.
We'll reign together.

An excellent idea.

This is the only solution.

Except that I do not accept it.

I advise you to think about it.

Think about it, Aniko.

Just look at that.

They're wonderful, aren't they?

We'd forgotten that
such things still existed

dancing, feasting.

Tell me...

Have you ever seen this monster?

No, never.

Do you believe in its existence?

Of course.

I'm afraid I'm not convinced.

Shotts, get back here!

It's hopeless, he's seen Kato.

- Enough.
- A little bit more.

You know, I love her a lot.

As a sister.

She's been with us
since childhood.

But she's not of our race.

No.

But she doesn't know it.

She ran away from
a gypsy caravan.

When I happened to stumble across her,
she was more dead than alive.

She had a very serious
injury to her head.

I think that's what caused
her to lose her memory.

It happened a long time ago.

She never wanted to leave.
So she stayed.

She turned out very well, I'd say.

It's for you.

Nothing serious, but I have to go.

- You can sleep in my tent.
- Thanks.

- Don't wait for me.
- Good night.

- What's your name?
- Kato.

What are you doing in this camp?

I am the slave of Ursus.

But we have no slaves.

Ursus has.

Aniko...

Finally!

What's wrong?

I escaped only because of a meeting
of the Kirghiz chieftains

called by Prince Zereteli.

I'm so afraid

This meeting can only mean

war between our peoples.

Today he proposed marriage to me
so that he could hold all power.

Please don't take this lightly.

Zereteli is ready to do anything
to obtain absolute sovereignty.

Then I'll call a meeting of
all Cherkes chiefs,

to try and halt any provocation.

My brother Yio
will deal with the Kirghiz tribes.

You have a brother?

Yes, he has just returned.

He traveled widely.

He is very intelligent
He will be very useful to us.

Why haven'tyou mentioned him before?

I hope you're not jealous of him.

No, Ursus.

But I shouldn't like your
brother's clever negotiations

to separate us forever.

The reappearance of the monster,
is as I always feared,

a deliberate and cold blooded
Cherkessia provocation

to bring disorder and chaos
on our land.

The connection between
Ursus and the monster

is now clear to all.

Ursus has the hope and
dream of touching off a civil war.

The gods willing,
this shall notoccur.

But we have to prepare for the worst.

I have shown you the danger.

Thus, in accordance with our
sacred and ancient laws

I, Prince Zereteli,
Regentof Sura,

ask forfull powers.

Hooray!

Where are we?

We're near the grottos of the Falcon.

- Do you know them well?
- I've been there once.

Whatare you doing here?

We've been out hunting
for the monster all night.

It managed to get into the camp.

Into the camp?

Was anyone hurt?

No, but he came

into our tent.

To kill me.

Maybe he thought it was me.

But once again I wasn't there.

Come along.

Get out!

It is well sharpened.

A good sword is man's best friend.

- Where is Ursus?
- He's gone to Meriva.

Come out and try the sword.

No, I trust you.

By the way, there's something
that's been bothering me.

I wonder if you can help me.

When the monster came into the hut,
how do you account

forthe fact that the
dog didn't bark?

Shotts is old and deaf.

So deaf that he didn'teven
hear Kato screaming?

Yes, that is strange.

If Ursus returns, let me know.

Yes Yio.

I heard something fall on the ground.

Of course, it was a dagger.

Kato!

Where's the dagger the monster had?

You hid it, didn't you?

This dagger belongs to Ursus!

What do you know?

A message for Ursus.

Who brought it?

The same Kirghiz who brought him
the message the nightof the feast.

Well, I'll give it him.

"Don't forget."

"I'll be waiting at dawn."

But where?

And who?

Our patrol captured Yussup
on his way back from Ursus' camp.

Torture him. I need to know
where Aniko and Ursus are meeting.

And find out fast.

Bravo...

Your information was quite correct.

This one will also be yours as
soon as you've earned it.

What are you doing here?

Hello.

Who are you?

You're a stranger here?

Yes, I arrived yesterday.

You are Yio.

How do you know my name?

Is it Ursus who sends you?

Tell me...

Is this your message?

Come.

We have many things
to talk about.

Come.

This is where Ursus and
I always meet.

We love each other and
soon we'll be married.

You're the first
to know our secret.

Who are you?

Aniko, the daughter
of the Great Khan.

The future queen of Sura.

Yes.

Why do you meet here?

My cousin, the regent,
does not like the Cherkes.

Least of all, Ursus.

A foolish question.

Sorry. It was also stupid
for me to take the message.

Ursus won't be coming now because
he didn't know you would be here.

In that case I'll have to tell
you what I intended to tell him.

Sit down, you seem tired.

I am a little.

I wondered around this forestall
afternoon before finding the cave.

Don't be so tense.

I'll getyou some wine to relax you.
A very special wine.

Try this

Get some rest. Then I hope you
won't mind walking me back to the city.

I'd rather not go back alone.

I'll be glad to.

- Has he spoken?
- No.

Yussup, do you hear me?

Where is Aniko? Where did she go?

Torture him some more.
Make him talk.

Where is Ursus?

He's searching over by the rocks.

Do you have any news?

What news could there be?

If Ursus is by the rocks, the monster
must be near the other side of the valley.

Let's go.

Grisha!

We caught sight of him in the woods!

Make sure he doesn't pass us!

Come on! The scream came
from over this way!

Ursus...

Help me lift him.

The monster is in the woods!

He's trying to kill Ursus!

He's wounded.

Is it serious?

Yes. Prepare a stretcher.
We will bring him to Amok.

Ursus!

Forgive me.
Forgive me, Ursus.

It's one of our men.

Prince, the monster attacked
the camp of the Cherkes.

Ursus is wounded and they're
carrying him to Meriva.

And they haven't killed the monster?

No, not even Ursus
could accomplish it.

He got away through the forest.

Did you hear that?

We must change our plan.

We will attack Meriva
which is empty,

since the men are scouring the
countryside for the monster.

And when they return,

they'll find only the traces
of what was once their village.

And we all know who will get the
credit for destroying the village,

don't we?

The monster.

Yes. Warn Navar and the others.
Let's go!

Forward!

Forward!

Find Navar. Bring him to me!

Stay here. Pretend you're wounded
and when Ursus gets here,

say it was the
work of the monster.

Then follow us and try to
warn of us of their plans

and kill Ursus if you get the chance.

And when they see that
I'm not wounded?

Now nobody can say that.

Take away the body of Sandor.

Navar will be the only Kirghiz soldier
to remain in Meriva or what's left of it.

Come quick!

Meriva is burning!

Varo, Varo!

There's no trace of Yio.
We've searched for him everywhere.

Keep searching.

We must find him at any cost.

Look as far as the village
at the other end of the valley.

You men accompany the caravan.

The others with me!

- Who are you? Who did this?
- The monster.

The monster broke in. We tried to stop
him, but he set fire to everything.

He killed everybody.

What are you doing here?
You are not our people

I am a merchant from Kirghiz,

I ask for hospitality
for just one night.

I can't believe the monster could
have done all this by himself.

Any other survivors?

- And Amok?
- He's dead, too.

He's lying in that hut.

And Amok?

I'm afraid he's dead.

Any news?

Nothing. Yio can't be in
this part of the country.

Anyway, we don't have
anymore time to look for him.

We must find reinforcements
and go join Ursus.

You recruit the tribes in the Mountains.
And I'll work my way down the valley.

We must find reinforcements.

The Kirghiz are bound to take advantage
of Ursus' condition and attack us.

That's certain.

We can meet again after we've had time...

Yio...

Where have you been?

We've been looking for you for hours.

The horse threw me when I
was coming from the palace.

The palace? You were in Sura?

No. That night, I was sick.

I wasn't feeling well,
I fell asleep in a cave.

I must have lost my way.

Sorry you had to spend
the night looking for me.

It was to give you bad news.

Ursus is wounded.

- Is it serious?
- The monster attacked the village.

Ursus fought
the monster and was defeated.

- Let's go.
- He's not in the village.

They've taken him to an old hermit in
the mountains who hopes to cure him.

Stay with us. We'll go join him
when our reinforcements arrive.

- When did all this happen?
- In the middle of the night.

You were certainly a long way
away if you heard nothing.

You, get going.
Tell them we need every man.

Come here a minute.

You see this horse?
We brought it for you.

Because when you left the camp,
we knew you didn't have one.

Which is why it seems strange
that you were thrown. From what?

It's better not to
question certain things.

Take my word,

Frido.

Where are you going
in such a hurry?

This is our land.

It was your land.
Now it's ours.

Don't talk like an idiot!
Just ge tout of the way!

Who are you to speak so arrogantly?

Yio, the brother of Ursus.

This is a gift from heaven.
Zereteli will pay well...

Grab them!
Don't let them get away!

To your horses!
They must be caught!

There they are.

Hurry, they've seen us.

Search the place thoroughly.
Make sure there's no other way out.

We didn't find them, but there is
a crevice leading outof here.

Maybe they jumped down there.

If they did, they must have smashed
themselves to bits. Let's go see.

It was the will of the gods
that you knew this hiding place.

When did you discover it?

Last night.

This cave looks lived in.

It is a shelter, but for whom?

Don't waste time talking.
If they come back they might find us.

We're safer hiding in the forest.

But it's got to be here.

What?

- A secret spring that moves the stone.
- I see nothing.

But she opened it right here.

- I said "she."
- Yes.

- Any questions?
- No, Yio.

There should be some torches here.

There's nothing here.

If we don't find that spring,
we'll be trapped in here the rest of our lives.

No, Frido.

If we don't find a way out,
it's only a question of waiting.

Before long, someone will come
and that wall will open.

Life is born out of suffering.

And often suffering
will bring back life.

The pain will not last long.

Ursus...

His wounds have closed

and these herbs will cure him

Have faith, Kato.

You'll see, my dear.

In less time than you can imagine

he'll be entirely cured.

He'll be powerful again and
invincible as he used to be.

You're sure that she returned at
dawn and is about to go out again?

Yes, so when will I go and tell
her that she won't be seen?

Good. Let her go.

The way is open.

And not a word about Ursus
being wounded, understand?

What do we do?

We follow her. Assemble the men.

Come quickly.

We'll never get out of here.

It's suffocating.

Turn off some of those torches,
there's too much smoke.

There should be something to drink
over there in a leather flask.

Frido...

Frido!

No, what are you doing?

Stop!

Who are you? Don't!

Get away!

Aniko, save yourself.

Frido...

- Is he dead?
- I don't know.

I saw the body of the man
who was with me.

But no trace of the monster.
Let's go.

Wait. Where is Ursus?

- Wasn't he with you?
- No.

He was wounded by the monster.

Where is he?

They took him to a healer
to try and cure him.

I must be with him.
Take me, please.

How do you open it?

Open it quickly!

Hold him.

I'll get her.

Open up.

Aniko!

Open up.

Or we'll leave you in there to die.

Help me.

This is what you want.

You'll never be able
to get out of there.

This will be your tomb.

Save her, Zereteli.

Save her!

The monster is inside.

Let him have her!

You're a monster, Zereteli.

But the gods will punish you
for all the evil you've done!

Keep you're filthy mouth shut,

Cherkessian.

You'll die in there all alone!

No! Let me out!

Take him.

Ursus will have to pay with a kingdom
if he wants to see you alive!

Take him away!

Free me, I beg you.

Let me out!

When Ursus awakens,

he'll be cured.

Assassin!

I know who you are!

You murdered

the Great Khan!

Who are you? Who sent you?

Zereteli.

I was to kill you.

Just like he commanded me to kill

the Great Khan ten years ago, .

Has she recovered her memory?

For a moment, yes.
Forever, I can not say.

Can't you cure her like you cured me?

Her mind is sick

and in the hands of
the Dark Spirits.

When she wakes up,

and comes back to us,
we will find out

if she has regained
her memory for good.

What she said is true.

This coward confessed before dying.

But how did she know?

It is you who broughta message

to the Cherkessian camp, right?

You brought
Aniko's message to Ursus.

Aniko...

I've told them nothing.

Go to the princess,
tell the princess

I've told them nothing.

I cannot tell her.

She is trapped in the
Grotto of the Falcon

where the monster lives and
he'll kill her if he comes back.

No, she can speak.

She can speak to the spirits.

What do you mean?

Listen to me, Yio.

You know who I am?

Yes. I know many things.

- What do you know?
- Give me a drink.

What do you know?

It is not possible.

No, it's not true.

It can't be true.

This is the moment of crisis.

Perhaps she has
regained her memory.

All of this is unbelievable.

If what she said is true

Zereteli will pay
for his heinous crime.

We found one man still alive

when we went to bury the
victims of the massacre.

He spoke to us.

It wasn't the monster that destroyed
the village, but Zereteli and his men.

He even led the attack himself.

What about the men you were recruiting
in the mountains? Have they arrived?

Yes, most of them.

Saddle the horses.
We leave atonce.

Surprise is going to be
the determining factor.

Very well.

I'm Aniko.

I'm Aniko.

Aniko...

Loves Ursus.

Our spies

have reported warlike preparations
among the Cherkessian tribes.

It seems obvious they are
preparing to attack Sura.

We need more time to call up
reinforcements from the northern tribes.

- How long?
- Until tomorrow.

Very well.

I'll return to Sura.

We need more reinforcement
on the ramparts.

Hurry.

Everybody.

Zereteli's gone. He may have escaped
using the underground passages.

I'll go find him.

Quickly.

Hurry!

Defend yourself, Zereteli.

I am here to avenge my
people and the Great Khan!

Seize him!

Don't kill me, Ursus,
don't kill me.

I will serve as your slave
the restof my life,

but don't kill me.

You must pay for your murders

and for stealing the throne.

Did Aniko tell you all that?

I'll tell you another thing.

She is not the daughter
of the Great Khan.

The real Aniko was wounded
that terrible night

and because I was
afraid she would die,

I senther away.

Kato...

Kato is the daughter
of the Great Khan.

I saved her life.

And she'll rule.

Speak!

There was no trace of Aniko here.

Where is she?

How do you expectme
to know where she is?

Where?

She's waiting for you like a dog.

She's trapped in the
Grotto of the Falcon.

Lock him up!

- And Ursus?
- He left a few minutes ago.

- Where did he go?
- To the Grotto of the Falcon to free Aniko.

No!

I'll attend to Zereteli
when I get back.

But first I must stop Ursus.
Follow me!

Ursus!

You've returned.
You came to save me.

Zereteli knows everything.
We must flee.

He can't do anything to us.

He's my prisoner.

He assassinated the Great Khan.

He confessed it.
And many other things.

You are not the true
heir to the throne.

Forgive me, Ursus.

Don't blame me
for any of this.

I was taken to the palace as a child and
taughtonly what Zereteli wanted me to think.

But I did not know of his crimes.
I only know that I love you.

By helping you, I am redeemed.

Now you are the master of Sura.

Nobody knows the truth
about me.

I will reign at your side
not as a queen,

but as a wife.

That can't be.

The real daughter of the
Great Khan has been found.

Kato is the true Princess Aniko.

The throne is hers by right.

Will you marry her?

I don't know... not yet.

You muststay with me.

Do not forsake me.
You've always loved me.

- What's wrong, Ursus?
- This is nothing.

I'll take care of it.

Drink some wine.

Drink.

And lie down and rest.

Get some rest.

You'll go back to her, Ursus.

But not to marry her.

But to kill her.

Because you love killing.

Don't you, monster? Go!

Go and kill Kato.

Throw her from the precipice.

Tear her heart out.

Make sure that

you leave no trace.

Go, go, monster, go!

From here, I will guide
your steps once again.

Go.

Look!

The monster attacked Miko.

The monster captured Kato
and set fire to the woods.

Ride hard to the palace and
bring back every available man.

Continue the search,
I'm going to the Grotto.

Yes...

You are the monster.

You are my slave.

Yes, a horrible monster.

You must obey me!

Stop it, Aniko!

Stop it, witch!

Stop it or I'll kill you.

No, Ursus is mine.

Only mine!

Aniko!

Where are you, Aniko?

Stop it, Aniko!

Stop it!

Ursus is mine.

My demon of evil!

No one could ever take
him away from me.

My plan was perfect:

I'd have with me not a man,

but a zombie with terrible powers who
would carry out my every desire.

There'd be no danger to me

nor to my reign.

No enemy
could oppose me.

There'd be no Zereteli

or Yio in my way.

No one and nothing
could stand against

the monster I made of Ursus.

With my magic and his strength,

I would have had the
world at my feet.

Ursus would have lived

by my side forever

never suspecting his crimes.

Aniko, you've got to stop this!

Aniko!

I know you made me into the
monster that attacked Ursus.

And that you made
Frido try to kill me.

I know the power of your witchcraft
is contained in that leather flask.

Aniko...

Don't force me to.

Kato...

In the name of the gods,
what's happened?

Ursus...

Come. Let's go.

Ursus, I know who I am,
I remember everything.

I also know your
kingdom awaits you.

It's Ursus!

It's Ursus.

You saved Kato.

Ursus has freed us,
he killed monster.

Yes, but don't look for its body.

It was consumed in the forest fire.