Phenomenal and the Treasure of Tutankhamen
Italian masked superhero film from 1968 directed by Ruggero Deodato.
Phenomenal and the Treasure of Tutankhamen (Italian: *Fenomenal e il tesoro di Tutankamen*) is a 1968 Italian film directed by Ruggero Deodato. The movie stars Nicola Mauro Parenti, who also produced it, as Count Guy Norton, a masked superhero called Fenomenal. The plot follows Fenomenal as he investigates a series of murders linked to a treasure hidden in Tutankhamun's tomb.
The cast includes Lucretia Love as Lucretia Perkins, Gordon Mitchell as Gregory Falkov, John Karlsen as Prof. Mickewitz, and Carla Romanelli as Anna Guillaume. Deodato directed under the pseudonym Roger Rockfeller, later explaining he chose the name because he thought, “a rich man’s name...so who is a rich guy? Rockfeller! See, I was as dumb as a rock.” He appears in a cameo as a man who falls off a bicycle. Parenti, the producer and lead, was described by Deodato as “too stiff, a dog of an actor; I treated him like shit on the set, but then he called me again for *Zenabel*.” Deodato also noted that Parenti often granted small roles in exchange for funding. Love was Parenti’s wife. The film was shot in Rome and Paris.
Released in Italy in 1968, the film received poor reviews. James Lowder, writing in *White Wolf Inphobia* #57 (July 1995), gave it a 1½ out of 5, citing “an incredibly annoying soundtrack (complete with scat-Muzak theme music for the hero)” and “one of the most uninspired underwater fight scenes ever filmed.” Deodato later said he “didn’t give a shit about the film.” Retrospective critic Roberto Curti called it “one of the lamest, less remarkable entries in the supercriminal/superhero trend of the late 60s,” with a storyline “so confused it is difficult to tell what is going on at times,” though he praised Bruno Nicolai’s score.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Ruggero Deodato
- Producer
- Nicola Mauro Parenti
- Music
- Bruno Nicolai
- Distributor
- Variety Distribution
- Released
- 1968 · Italy
- Country
- Italy
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Phenomenal and the Treasure of Tutankhamen was directed by Ruggero Deodato under the pseudonym Roger Rockfeller. Deodato later explained he chose the name because he thought "a rich man's name...so who is a rich guy? Rockfeller!" He added, "See, I was as dumb as a rock." Deodato appears in a cameo as a man who falls off a bicycle. The film was produced by and starred Nicola Mauro Parenti, whom Deodato described as "too stiff, a dog of an actor" and said he "treated him like shit on the set." Despite this, Parenti later called Deodato again for the film Zenabel. Among the cast was Parenti's wife, Lucretia Love. The film was shot in Rome and Paris.
Reader's Guide
Phenomenal and the Treasure of Tutankhamen is a minor work in the Italian superhero cycle of the late 1960s. Its significance lies primarily in its place within director Ruggero Deodato's early filmography, before he became known for later, more notorious works. The film received poor reviews: James Lowder in White Wolf Inphobia #57 (July 1995) rated it 1.5 out of 5, criticizing its "incredibly annoying soundtrack" and "one of the most uninspired underwater fight scenes ever filmed." Retrospective reviewer Roberto Curti called it "one of the lamest, less remarkable entries in the supercriminal/superhero trend of the late 60s," with a storyline "so confused it is difficult to tell what is going on at times." Curti noted that the best element was the score by Bruno Nicolai. Deodato himself spoke negatively about the film, stating in 2008 that he "didn't give a shit about the film." The film remains a curiosity for fans of Italian genre cinema and Deodato completists.
Did You Know?
- Ruggero Deodato directed the film under the pseudonym Roger Rockfeller, chosen because he thought a rich man's name would be appropriate.
- Deodato has a cameo in the film as a man who falls off a bicycle.
- The film's producer and star Nicola Mauro Parenti was married to co-star Lucretia Love.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Phenomenal and the Treasure of Tutankhamen'?
It is a 1968 Italian superhero-crime film in which a masked vigilante named Fenomenal tracks a string of murders connected to a hidden treasure inside Tutankhamun's tomb. Ruggero Deodato directed the picture under the pseudonym Roger Rockfeller.
Who plays Fenomenal and what is his civilian identity?
Nicola Mauro Parenti portrays both the masked hero and his alter ego, Count Guy Norton, while also producing the film himself. He carries the lead role, with the supporting cast orbiting his investigation.
What is Fenomenal's role in the story?
Rather than wielding superhuman powers, Fenomenal operates as a masked crime-fighter who investigates murders tied to a secret treasure buried in the tomb of Tutankhamun. His pursuit of the killers and the loot drives the entire plot.
Who else appears in the cast?
Lucretia Love plays Lucretia Perkins, Gordon Mitchell appears as Gregory Falkov, John Karlsen is cast as Prof. Mickewitz, and Carla Romanelli takes the part of Anna Guillaume. These characters surround Fenomenal's hunt for the tomb-linked treasure.
Why is this film notable in Italian cinema history?
It is a rare dedicated Italian masked-superhero feature from the late 1960s, blending crime-thriller plotting with the genre's costume-and-identity conventions. Deodato's use of an English-sounding pseudonym on the credit also reflects the era's habit of packaging Italian genre pictures for wider international release.
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