Les vierges de Rome

This is a well-made historical actioner with the most memorable performance being given by Ettore Manni, who is much more comfortable in this early Roman period than either of his costars Sims or Jourdan. Manni, as in so many of his other films, steals the whole show. In this case he's the heroic and ill-fated Horatio who dies defending the bridge.

Amazingly, this is the third "Amazon Women" film I've watched in a month but, unlike the others, this is a relatively serious undertaking and, in any case, the American title is misleading - but, then, probably so is the Italian one, which translates to "THE VIRGINS OF ROME"! When it was shown on late-night Italian TV, I had never heard of it but was willing to give it a try considering the talent involved (director Cottafavi and stars Louis Jourdan, Sylvia Syms and Michel Piccoli) - but also due to the fact that French director Bertrand Tavernier, apparently, considers this one of his favorite films!

Distressingly, I came across very few reviews of the film and these were all-too-brief; besides, the only other two comments on the IMDb aren't very favorable! Despite the scratchy print with washed-out colors that was shown on TV, I'm glad I taped it because it turned out to be one of the most satisfying peplums I've ever watched and, consequently, the film ought to be much better known! Besides, it allowed me to understand a bit better Cottafavi's cult reputation (given the type of films he dabbled in!) - though, apparently, he was replaced after 3 weeks by Bragaglia because Cottafavi couldn't see eye to eye with star Jourdan (though the change in director didn't effect the film in any perceptible way).

I had only watched four Cottafavi films prior to this: the modern-day melodrama NEL GORGO DEL PECCATO (1954) and the following peplums - GOLIATH AND THE DRAGON (1960), HERCULES AND THE CAPTIVE WOMEN (1961) and I CENTO CAVALIERI (1964; perhaps the director's best work and which I was lucky to watch, along with the hilariously awful GOLIATH, at the 2004 Venice Film Festival with lead Mark Damon in attendance!). Likewise, I had seen four by Bragaglia - three of them starring the popular Italian comic Toto' and, eons ago, HANNIBAL (1960) - another one of his peplums and which was co-directed by Edgar G. Ulmer!

The casting of the two leads is surprising, but they certainly number among the most talented ever featured in this type of film: Jourdan is quite amusing as the leader of the barbarian horde who's seen constantly, and nonchalantly, munching on fruit - even when leading his men into battle!; the beautiful Syms adds grace and intelligence to the film - but, apart from Nicole Courcel (who is also pretty good as an unusually sympathetic villainess, sharing a secondary love interest with Piccoli!), is the only female character who is developed in any substantial way. The battle scenes - highlighted by a running duel between Jourdan and a one-eyed Roman general played by genre regular Ettore Manni - are nicely handled, though mainly relegated to the opening and closing moments of the film.

I really love the crack another viewer made about casting the urbane Louis Jourdan as a barbarian warrior. Was not Cary Grant available? I could not possibly top that.

Other than ludicrous casting Amazons Of Rome is a passably interesting peplum picture concerning those events in early Roman history when it was just trying to survive as a city against some very nasty Etruscans who rule the countryside. The legendary hero Horatio is played by Italian actor Ettore Manni who did more than a few of these kind of films.

While Horatio is trying to regroup and retrain an army, the women of Rome take to the field led by the aristocratic Sylvia Sims. It's there that she meets Jourdan. If they can make peace, is it possible for the rest?

The Etruscan leader is played by Julien Chevrier who would like a permanent peace, but has some folks who are looking for glory and conquest and as long as they get it doesn't matter how much blood is spilled.

Poor Louis Jourdan, he looks like he is annoyed that a table at Maxim's isn't ready.

AMAZONS OF ROME is certainly a well-mounted peplum of the era, with the right kind of budget to do justice to the sets and costumes, so it's a pity that in terms of plot this one's a bit of a yawner. The story begins well with the obligatory Roman battle sequences, but then we move to barbarian intrigue and the unwelcome introduction of a bunch of 'Amazonian' female warriors, led by British import Sylvia Sims. These actresses, complete with their obligatory early '60s hairdos, are utterly unconvincing and the women's lib-style plotting rings hollow throughout. A shame, as seasoned professionals like Louis Jourdan and Ettore Manni were on hand to add some solid performances here.

Porsena , the Etruscan leader (Jean Chevrier) , attacks and besieges Rome. He is supported by a warrior chieftain (Louis Jourdan) and his barbaric allies . But Rome is being defended by embattled women warriors , then Porsena takes hostages the valiant Amazon Warriors led by Clelia (Sylvia Syms) . Meanwhile , a Roman youth named Gaius Mucius (Corrado Pani) sneaked into the Etruscan camp with the approval of the Senate, intent on assassinating Porsena . He advised Porsena that he was merely the first of 300 Roman youths who would attempt such a deed, one after another until they succeeded. To prove his valour, Mucius thrust his right hand into a sacrificial fire, thereby earning for himself and his descendants the cognomen Scaevola ("lefty"). Later on , Lars Porsena was really impressed by particular acts of Roman bravery and the Amazon Warriors .

This is a passable sword and sandals movie with action , a love story , battles , spectacular scenarios and historical backstage . There are some historical characters as Mucius Escevola and Porsena who watching the courage and bold acts from Roman people defending the city he chose to make peace . Louis Jourdan is acceptable as a Barbarian and historical hero who finds many dangerous situations while attempting to attack Rome and save his true love , Clelia : Sylvia Syms , of several risks .Being an Italian/French co-production , here appears various notorious actors from both nacionalities such as: Corrado Pani , Ettore Manni , Nicole Courcel , Jean Chevrier , Jacques Dufilho , and Michel Piccoli . The motion picture was professionally directed by two Peplum experts : Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia, and Vittorio Cottafavi .

The motion picture is based on true events but has not prospect historical . The real deeds are the followings : Lars Porsena came into conflict with Rome after the revolution that overthrew the monarchy there in 509 BC, resulting in the exile of the semi-legendary last king of Rome, Lucius Tarquinius Superbus . Tarquino(534-509, B.C.) was the seventh and last king of Rome and he governed tyrannically . The rape of Lucrecia by his son caused a riot and he was overthrown , the Roman Republic was proclaimed and he actually disappeared . The deposed monarch, whose family was of Etruscan origin, tried and failed to retake the throne a number of times before appealing to Porsena for assistance. Lars Porsena agreed to help. One story tells that, during his siege of Rome, a young enemy called Mucius who came into the king's presence, he could not distinguish Porsena from his secretary, who was similarly attired. Through misrecognition Mucius stabbed the secretary and then tried to flee . He was immediately captured by the Etruscans and brought before Porsena, whereupon Mucius bluntly declared his identity and his intent . Then Mucius puts his hand into a sacrificial fire . Astonished and impressed by the young man's courage, Porsena gave Mucius his freedom and dismissed him from the camp. Another tale of the war concerns the Roman hostages taken by Porsena as part of the treaty. One of the hostages, a young woman named Cloelia, fled the Etruscan camp, leading away a group of Roman virgins. Porsena demanded that she be returned, and the Romans consented. On her return, however, Porsena was so impressed by her bravery that he asked her to choose half the remaining hostages to be freed. She selected all the youngest Roman boys . In 507 BC, Porsena once again sent ambassadors to the Roman senate, requesting the restoration of Tarquinius to the throne. Legates were sent back to Porsena, to advise him that the Romans would never re-admit Tarquinius, and that Porsena should out of respect for the Romans cease requesting Tarquinius' readmittance. Porsena agreed, telling Tarquinius to continue his exile elsewhere than Clusium. Porsena also restored to the Romans their hostages, and also the lands of Veii that had been taken from Rome by treaty. Livy records that, by these matters, a faithful peace between Porsena and Rome was created . Rating : 5.5/10 , Average Peplum fodder , though better than most Sword and Sandals movies , thanks to Louis Jourdan and slick direction .