Avenger X (Italian: Mister-X) is a 1967 film based on the Italian comic series Mister-X [it]. [1]
Plot
George Lamarro is the head of a pharmaceutical company that is also involved in the production and distribution of illegal narcotics. When his secretary attempts to blackmail him for a share of the profits and his hand in marriage, he has her killed with her death arranged in a way to implicate a master criminal called "Mister X" who is a master of disguise, efficient killer and professional golf champion. The real Mister X uses his skills to discover the criminals are involved in a scheme by an unnamed foreign nation using the company and a Scottish and an American criminal to distribute illegal narcotics in the Western World.
Avenger X was based on the comic series Mister-X as created by writer Cesare Melloncelli and drawing artist Giancarlo Tenenti.[1] The comic was first published by Milan's Edizioni Cervinia in October 1964.[1] Unlike other fumetti neri of the era, Mister-X had very little violent content, with the titular character being a gentleman thief similar to Arsène Lupin.[1] In the film, the titular character Mister X visually differs from the comics design who had a black hood and leotard opposed to the red cape, white boots and hood that covers his face that his comic book counterpart wears.[2]
Avenger X was released in Italy in 1967 as Mister X.[1] The English-language title of the film ignores the characters name and is titled Avenger X.[1] Director Piero Vivarelli stated most of the violent scenes in the film were removed from the Italian version of the film to earn a V.M.14 rating.[2] Censors documents only suggested that 47 seconds of the film were cut in Italy[2] This included scenes where a blowtorch approaches Mister-X's bare chest and a shot of a speedboat moving towards a reef.[2] The film grossed 112 million Italian lire in Italy during its theatrical run.[3] The film was distributed by Euro International.[4]
The film was released in Spain on 22 January 1968 where it sold 707,889 admissions.[5]
Curti, Roberto (2016). Diabolika: Supercriminals, Superheroes and the Comic Book Universe in Italian Cinema. Midnight Marquee Press. ISBN978-1-936168-60-6.
