Bugs Bunny dans l'arène

Nero is out of victims for the Coliseum. So Yosemite Sam (the Roman version of him) is sent to find one. Well, there seems to be only one rabbit available. So our hero is beset by Sam and has several potential encounters with he kings of beasts. It is colorful and a lot of fun. Sam, of course, is decimated over and over and over, but he never seems to lose heart.

Friz Freleng's 'Roman Legion-Hare' is set in Rome AD 54, where Emperor Nero tells Captain of the Guards Yosemite Sam to find a victim to throw to the lions for his entertainment or else Sam himself will have to fill the role. The victim Sam selects is, of course, Bugs Bunny. Although simply placing an established rivalry in a new setting can lead to repetitive cartoons, Freleng always seemed to pull it off far better with Bugs and Sam than he did with Tweety and Sylvester. The ancient Rome backdrop, which chiefly focuses on the Colleseum's lion enclosure, allows for some great gags as Bugs finds new ways to cause Sam to be savaged. The real star of 'Roman Legion-Hare' is Warren Foster's very funny script, which includes one of my favourite lines in cartoon history. As Sam attempts to cross a pit filled with lions on a pair of wooden stilts, Bugs tosses a selection of cutting tools into the pit with the unforgettable exclamation "Here, lions"! 'Roman Legion-Hare' is not especially attractive to look at and the direction is fairly run-of-the-mill but none of this takes anything away from the one essential ingredient it does boast: it's very funny.

Rome, 54 A. D. Emperor Nero,who may or may not be played by Charles Laughton, enters the Colosseum for the season opener as a sportscaster introduces us to the undefeated champions, the Detroit Lions. When it turns out they are all out of victims, Captain of the Guard Yosimitus Sammus takes out his legion (all of whom resemble Elmerus Fuddus) to go get one. Guess who he finds?

Don't expect much gladiator combat, for after a very promising start, "Roman Legion-Hare" becomes yet another Bugs vs. Yosemite chase caper, only with horse and chariots and lots of caged lions. In fact each and every room in the Colosseum seems to connect to the lion's den. Strategists take note: when faced with a situation like this, make sure the man eaters get a whiff of your opponent. This way, when you take a wrong turn, the lions will prefer the taste of his flesh over yours.

The fifties were the golden age of the Roman epics, so a loony spoof could not be far behind. It must have been especially amusing to see this at the cinema with a real horse and chariot extravaganza following, although being very lengthy films, they probably did not have Merry Melodies as it's opening act. Bugs more likely opened for Doris Day and Jerry Lewis instead.

6 out of 10

It's Rome, 54 AD, and there's a game at the Colosseum. Unfortunately, they're all out of victims for the lions. No problem! Emperor Nero - bellicose as ever - orders Captain of the Guards Yosemite Sam to find one, or he'll be the victim. As you might have guessed, Sam decides that a certain long-eared, carrot-chomping rabbit will make an ideal victim. But of course Bugs Bunny isn't going to submit so easily, especially when the lions seem to be pretty hungry for Yosemite Sam.

Admittedly, the whole thing's rather silly. But there's nothing unpleasant here. Quite the opposite: Bugs plays some hilarious tricks on Sam. And the end puts a new kind of spin on the story of Nero playing his fiddle.

It is Rome 54 A. D. The Detroit Lions is in the Coliseum in the Season Opening. Emperor Nero wants his sacrifices for the lions but they have run out. He demands the Captain of the Praetorian Guard Sam to get more victims. Sam and his squad set out on a search. Bugs Bunny sees them and thinks that they are on a parade. Sam sees Bugs as an easy first catch. Bugs keeps getting the best of Sam until he accidentally locks himself in the ring.

This is a solid Bugs Bunny cartoon as he keeps winning against Yosemite Sam. The main problem is Emperor Nero. I don't really like his design. More than that, I would like a famous Looney Tunes character to play the part. I can think of several suitable replacements.