L'esclave de rome

Slave of Rome has remained an elusive Video to locate, so far , even eluding the various merchants of vintage video, including Sinister Cinema. This was an exciting and fun "sword and sandal" movie that used to get played to death on Network TV back in the '60s. Besides Guy Madison, who was familiar at that time from the Western series, Wild Bill Hickock, it featured the stunning Rosanna Podesta, who at that time was probably in her absolute prime. For fans of this genre of movie, it was a refreshing break from the "sons of Hercules" style, in that the main character, although very swashbuckling, was very human and not a demi-god of any sort, and as such, his vulnerability made for more plot tension. JOHN G

During Julius Caesar's invasion of Gallia: The Gauls have broken their treaty with the Romans. Marcus Valerius (Guy Madison) and his friend are sent to fight them. However Antea's father, a Gaul elder, wants to have peace with Rome, having once been there and acknowledging their superior culture, but Lysircus forces a severely anti-Roman politic and wants to destroy them.

When her father is killed by Lysircus in treachery, Antea (Rossana Podestà)joins the Romans who are on the prod, stalked by the Gauls and have to evade into a swamp. She falls in love with Marcus. Will she forsake her people forever?

Slave of Rome (misleading title as there is no Slave here- should have been called Blood of the Warriors, which is the UK title) is one exciting and action-packed romp that never lets up. There's no pantomime villainy here as the Gauls are depicted as brutal barbarians, and there's a fair amount of violence and blood; the action is well-handled, has frequent swordplay, the bridge collapsing scene and the bloody ( for it's time) finale are a highlight - it's filmed entirely outdoors where the action takes place.

Loved the adventurous angle and the fact that the Romans headed by an embittered Guy Madison are on the prod, their numbers dissipated- the Gaul are trailing them. A cat and mouse situation. Guy Madison cuts a fine figure as a Roman soldier out for revenge, Mario Petri is quite imposing as the villain and Rossana Podestà is absolutely beautiful as the Gaul warrior who changes sides when her father is killed by Petri. She swings a sword really well. Amidst the action and tense moments, there's some intelligent dialogue and good character development and interaction.