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If you think this will be about the live-action Tokusatsu version ofSpider-Mancoming out of Japan in 1978 (famously known for its Leopardon mech or spider bracelet), you are sadly mistaken. Go back a year prior, and the short-livedAmazing Spider-Manseries on CBS is not the main focus here either. What’s left, you may ask? And more importantly,why won’t Disney (or Sony, for that matter) ever reference this obscure version of the superhero?
Well, that’s because this international 1973 iteration of the iconic Marvel character isn’t even a superhero at all!Spider-Man is actually a violent gang leader who not only plans to steal millions of dollars using his own counterfeit money but also kills people in brutal and disgusting ways. Oh, and Captain America and none other than El Santo (a famous luchador) are sent in to stop him. you’re able to go ahead and thank Turkey for thisbizarre superhero interpretation.
Enter3 Dev Adam(that is, in fact, the title of the movie, unfortunately). Roughly translated intoThree Giant Men, the Middle Eastern country that birthed this film had a knack for totally disregarding all copyright laws during that time. The phenomenon was known as Turksploitation and lasted from the early ’70s all the way to the late ’80s. Unauthorized, low-budget movies were made based on already popular American franchises, likeStar Wars, Batman, Superman, James Bond, etc.3 Dev Adamnot only happened to be the first one made in this obscure genre but also became one of the more memorable entries — and that’s because of the cold introduction.
With no explanation as to why a particular woman is kidnapped and currently buried in a pit of sand, a costumed Spider-Man maniacally laughs as her head is decapitated by a fully activated boat propeller. While the actual death takes place off-screen, the spray of blood and everything else in this scene clearly shows why Disney won’t touch it, even if it’s a bootleg.3 Dev Adamexplicitly takes Marvel-based properties and transforms them into entities you’d never think were possible.
You Have Never Seen Spider-Man Like This
Among other inconsistencies, Captain America never once carrieshis signature shield. El Santo is seen multiple times in public without his mask on. Spider-Man’s usual assortment of powers is replaced with a single ability to come back from the dead multiple times if need be (and with his previous dead bodies still lying around!) It’s truly startling to see someone famously known for swinging through the streets casually getting into a car and driving away instead.
It’s pretty obvious that director T. Fikret Ucak didn’t know much about who Spider-Man wasin the States. The only thing he apparently understood was thatthe superhero name meant money. Not only is a woman’s face chopped up at the start, but a confidant-turned-traitor of Spider-Man is tied to a wall, and his eyes are gouged out by hungry guinea pigs.This hero-turned-villain also strangles an innocent woman in the shower and then manages to kill two people with one stab(yes, he carries a switchblade at all times). This is definitely not your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.
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Out of all the “three giant men,” American audiences may be the most unfamiliar with El Santo. He happens to be one of the most iconic Mexican luchadores and is comparable to Superman in his home country (for his connection with justice). Outside the ring (which stretches over 50 years), El Santo has quite a cinematic career, appearing in over 52 movies in 24 years. As honorable and respectable as that is, there is something truly unfathomable about seeing a muscle-bound masked wrestler standing next to Captain America, beating up on minions, and doingall sorts of superhero things. Since El Santo’s usual outfit is a mask, trunks, and a cape, it’s hilarious to see the character use his crotch as a sort of kangaroo pouch for which he stuffs incriminating evidence inside.
Captain American Isn’t Much Better
Speaking of Cap, Turkish actor Aytekin Akkaya’s depictionof the American superherois rather commendable until he attempts to hang from the ceiling while rescuing his girlfriend from the baddies. That very awkward, very unscripted sequence, combined with a strange cameo from some unnamed old-man muppets while Spider-Man makes love to his girlfriend,helps to throw3 Dev Adaminto a place where no Disney executive should ever go.
At least the Japanese iteration of Spidey was referenced in the comics. Before this completely unauthorized superhero movie ends, though, Spider-Mansuffers a similar fateto that of his victims. His head gets caught between train tracks, and a big carton of cinder blocks takes care of the villain once and for all.
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Marvel might bring back Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield forAvengers: Secret Warsand Sony has already used numerous Spidermen for thebeautifully animatedSpider-Versemovies, butSpider-Man as a knife-wielding, torture-loving, money launderer? That will never happen in modern superhero lore, and that’s probably a good thing. If you want to see3 Dev Adamfor yourself though, the whole film is available to watch on YouTube for free.
