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Kirk Morris
1938-
Updated 12/14/2007 with more films available on DVD.
biography
Born Adriano Bellini in Venice, Italy, in 1938, Kirk "Kirky" Morris worked as a gondolier in his native city beginning in his teens. Spotted for films by an Italian producer, Morris went to Rome in 1960 to begin a film career. Throughout his career which lasted about ten years, Kirk Morris starred in a number of sword and sandal films, such as Colossus and the Headhunters, which Mystery Science Theater 3000 fans will recall from season six. One of Morris's best films is the unusual The Witch's Curse (1962). He portrayed Hercules at least three times on screen, most notably in 1965's Hercules, Samson, and Ulysses with also features Richard Lloyd as Samson.
Various photos of Kirk Morris
After the peplum craze died out in the mid 1960s, Morris's acting career began to slide. He made fewer films after 1965, starring in a couple of westerns and war films before leaving the screen in 1970.
the films of kirk morris
Hercules in the Valley of Woe (1962)
Screen captures from Hercules in the Valley of Woe (thanks to Nathalie Manier)
Colossus and the Headhunters (1962)
As Maciste in Colossus and the Headhunters; this film once aired on Mystery Science Theater 3000
The Witch's Curse (1962)
From The Witch's Curse. In this film, Maciste curiously turns up in 17th century Scotland to battle the forces of evil
Hercules, Samson and Ulysses (1963)
In Hercules, Samson and Ulysses, Kirk Morris portrayed Hercules to Richard Lloyd's Samson and Enzo Cerusico's Ulysses
more kirk morris
Scenes from Triumph of the Son of Hercules with Kirk Morris as Maciste were used in a deodorant commercial back in the late 1960s. The spot includes celluloid footage of Maciste flexing his muscles, and restraining the horses of Memphis' Queen Tenefis in the chariot torture, with a female voice-over
declaring, "My brother works hard. He needs a strong deodorant."
After his film career cooled, Morris moved to the U.S. and went into advertising. Today, Morris produces films in Italy.
Cosmic Superheroes: 4-DVD Box Set [DVD] DVD
Ken Utsui shines as Starman, the superhero from the Emerald Planet, in four action-packed films, all from 1964: "Attack from Space," "Evil Brain from Outer Space," "Invaders from Space," and "Atomic Rulers of the World." Next, "Goliath and the Dragon" (1960) finds the heroic muscleman doing battle with not only a dragon, but also a three-headed dog and a giant bat. Then, "The Conqueror of Atlantis" (1960) is a way, way out gladiator entry starring Kirk Morris as Heracles, out to find a kidnapped Nomad princess. In grand Herculean fashion, our hero (Alan Steel) comes to the aid of Good Samaritans in "Hercules Against the Moon Men" (1964). Lastly, a 17th-century bodybuilder descends into Hell to remove "The Witch's Curse" (1962). 11 hrs. on four discs. Standard; Soundtrack: English (dubbed) Dolby Digital mono. Dubbed in English.
Colossus And The Headhunters [DVD](1960) DVD
Kirk Morris shines as the mighty hero Colossus, who flees to an island following a deadly earthquake. There he is confronted by a group of nasty headhunters while trying to restore the power of the reigning queen. But is he strong enough to defeat the bad guys and make things right again? Does Atlas' back hurt? With Laura Brown, Alfredo Zammi, Frank Leroy. Soundtrack: English (dubbed). Dubbed in English.
The Witch's Curse [DVD](1962) DVD
A 17th-century body-builder rips up a tree and descends to Hell to force a witch to remove her curse from his village. American muscleman Kirk Morris plays a Scottish shepherd in this Italian-made Maciste epic. AKA: "Maciste in Hell." 76 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English (dubbed). Plays All Regions.
The Witch's Curse [VHS](1962) VHS
A 17th-century body-builder rips up a tree and descends to Hell to force a witch to remove her curse from his village. American muscleman Kirk Morris plays a Scottish shepherd in this Italian-made Maciste epic. AKA: "Maciste in Hell." 78 min. Dubbed in English.
Devil Of The Desert Against The Son Of Hercules [DVD](1962) DVD
Swords! Sinews! Sand! Muscleman Kirk Morris dons the loincloth for this spectacle, in which the mythical hero helps a group of nomadic herdsmen battle their way through the "Valley of the Thundering Echoes" to reach a fabled oasis. AKA: "Hercules of the Desert," "The Slave Merchants." 93 min. Soundtrack: English (dubbed). Dubbed in English.
Devil Of The Desert Against The Son Of Hercules [VHS](1962) VHS
Swords! Sinews! Sand! Muscleman Kirk Morris dons the loincloth for this spectacle, in which the mythical hero helps a group of nomadic herdsmen battle their way through the "Valley of the Thundering Echoes" to reach a fabled oasis. AKA: "Hercules of the Desert," "The Slave Merchants." 93 min.
Triumph Of The Son Of Hercules [DVD](1963) DVD
Dad left behind quite a lionskin to fill, but the well-groomed and heavily-muscled Kirk Morris more than acquits himself in this epic adventure loaded with swordplay, strongmen, and savagery. And wait until you hear the theme song! Soundtrack: English (dubbed).
Triumph Of The Son Of Hercules [VHS](1963) VHS
Dad left behind quite a lionskin to fill, but the well-groomed and heavily-muscled Kirk Morris more than acquits himself in this epic adventure loaded with swordplay, strongmen, and savagery. And wait until you hear the theme song!
Terror Of The Steppes [VHS](1964) VHS
Is it Slinky, Toy from Hell? No, but just as fearsome: a bloody tyrant closes his grip on slave girls and dirt farmers until muscleman Kirk Morris puts a kink in his coils. Moira Orfei co-stars.
Atlas Against The Czar [VHS](1964) VHS
Italian Gladiator Muscleman Goes Russian! That's what happens when Maciste is resurrected after being found in a cave in the Ural Mountains and enlisted to help Czar Nikolay Nikolayevich terrorize his constituents. After realizing that the ruler has bad intentions for him, Maciste rebels big time. With Kirk Morris as Maciste (who is actually "Atlas," but that's a long story), Massimo Serato.
Goliath And The Dragon (1960)/The Conqueror Of Atlantis [DVD](1965) DVD
Muscleman Goliath (who must have reformed after his fight with David) must battle not only a dragon, but also a three-headed dog, a giant bat, and other mythological roadblocks put in his path by evil ruler Broderick Crawford. Mark Forest stars. Then, Kirk Morris plays the heroic Heralces (that's Greek for Hercules), out to find a Nomad princess kidnapped by masked gold raiders. The journey leads to the lost city of Atlantis, where Morris encounters such oddities as zombies, female guards who will die if they "taste the love of a man," and more...even long pants! With Luciana Gilli. 177 min. total. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby mono dubbed; theatrical trailers; bonus shorts; photo gallery; more.
The Conqueror Of Atlantis(1965) VHS
Way, way out gladiator entry starring Kirk Morris as Heracles (Greek for Hercules) out to find a Nomad princess kidnapped by masked gold raiders. Eventually, his journey leads to the lost city of Atlantis, where the muscular hero encounters such oddities as zombies, female guards who will die if they "taste the love of a man," death-ray pistols and even long pants! With Luciana Gilli.
2 & 5: Mission Hydra [DVD](1966) DVD
Italian space adventure about aliens from the planet Hydra who land on Earth and abduct Earthlings to use as exhibits in their zoo. Bizarre blend of sci-fi, action, romance and social commentary stars Kirk Morris, Gordon Mitchell. AKA: "Star Pilots." Standard; Soundtrack: English mono; theatrical trailers; scene access.
2 & 5: Mission Hydra(1966) VHS
Italian space adventure about aliens from the planet Hydra who land on Earth and abduct Earthlings to use as exhibits in their zoo. Bizarre blend of sci-fi, action, romance and social commentary stars Kirk Morris, Gordon Mitchell. AKA: "Star Pilots."
Rita Of The West [DVD](1967) DVD
Believing money to be the root of the world's evil, a singer-turned-cowgirl decides to steal all the gold she can with the intention of blowing it up. Her plan attracts the attention of an Indian chief, a pair of outlaws, a Mexican bandit, and a cowboy who may or may not be on her side. Rita Pavone, Terence Hill, Lucio Dalla star in this offbeat Euro Western. AKA: "Crazy Westerners." 96 min. Soundtrack: Italian; Subtitles: English. In Italian with English subtitles.
filmography
Overrun! (1970)
Seven Red Berets (aka Congo Hell) (1969) with Ivan Rassimov, Serge Nubret, and Priscilla Drake (thanks to F. Verzyl)
Saguaro (1968) with Gordon Mitchell and Alan Steel
Rita in the West (1967) with Terence Hill and Gordon Mitchell
Falcon of the Desert (1966)
Maciste, the Avenger of the Mayans (1966) with Maria Teresa Gentilini and Luciano Marin
2+5 Mission Hydra (1965) (aka Star Pilots) with Gordon Mitchell
Conqueror of Atlantis (aka Kingdom of the Sand) (1965) (thanks to F. Verzyl)
Hercules, Samson and Ulysses (aka Samson Challenges Hercules) (1965) with Richard Lloyd
Atlas Against the Czar (1964) aka Samson Vs. the Giant King
Maciste Against Hercules in the Vale of Woe (1964) aka Hercules in the Vale of Woe with Raimondo Vianello, Liana Orfei, and Franco and Ciccio
Terror of the Steppes (1964) with Moira Orfei
The Witch's Curse (1963) (aka Maciste in Hell)
Clash of Steel (aka Le Chevalier de Pardaillan and Il Guascone) (1962)
Devil of the Desert Against the Son of Hercules (1962)
Colossus and the Headhunters (1962) this film aired on Mystery Science Theater 3000 as episode #605
Triumph of the Son of Hercules (1962)
Samson and the Sea Beast (1960) with Margaret Lee. Morris's first film
links
Go to the Other Hercules Heroes page, featuring Peter and David Paul, Paul Wynter, Jacques Sernas, and Richard Lloyd.
Click on the logo to go back to Brian's Drive-In Theater
This page premiered May 21, 1998.
Counter reset March 1, 2001.
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