What happens when you set out to make a shameless knock-off of RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK with next to no money, and a gaggle of actors from Italy, Germany, England and Turkey?

Well, if you’re famed Italian “schlock director” ANTONIO MARGHERITI (aka Anthony M. Dawson), the man responsible for such hilariously cheesy D-grade Euro action, fantasy and sci-fi flicks as YOR, THE HUNTER FROM THE FUTURE, KILLER FISH and ALIEN FROM THE DEEP – as well as 1963’s bona fide gothic horror classic CASTLE OF BLOOD – you mix in a little James Bond-style espionage and hire an actor who looks like ROGER MOORE’S long-lost twin brother.

Truth be told, the film’s star, dashing New Zealander DAVID WARBECK had at one point been seriously considered as the successor to SIR SEAN CONNERY in the role of Bond, before it ultimately went to MOORE.

The result?

THE ARK OF THE SUN GOD, an incredibly enjoyable guilty pleasure for fans of old-fashioned, globe-trotting action movies.

The plot: A master safecracker takes a job where he must go to Istanbul and steal a scepter that once belonged to the god Gilgamesh but is now stashed deep within the hidden temple of a secret cult.

Along the way, there’s plenty of fistfights, gun battles, stunts and snappy comebacks (a la Bond/Indiana Jones).

Better still, in the RAIDERS/BOND tradition, there is an elaborate car chase sequence. But get this: to save money, the director used MINIATURE CARS, like the kind you’d see in GERRY ANDERSON’s old THUNDERBIRDS TV series!

Shot primarily in Turkey and filled with outdated, misogynistic stereotypes, this C+ drive-in flick is a hoot.

It’s never been released on DVD in the USA, so come prepared to laugh, cheer and groan at this forgotten slice of derivative celluloid as it was meant to be seen – uncut and in widescreen.

And, how cool is this: the Bean will have craft beer and organic wine available at a discount during this screening.

$6 admission for MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY!

Seating at 7:30pm / Show starts at 8:00pm

The Psychotronic Film Society of Savannah shows obscure and/or underappreciated films from around the world every Wednesday at the Sentient Bean (and occasionally on other nights as well). Whether extremely well-made or “so bad they’re good,” their selections are always rare, unique and memorable.

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