Romulus et Remus

One of these days, I hope, we'll see a serious re-evaluation of the so-called sword & sandal genre of historical/mythic epics produced in Italy in the 1950s and '60s. When seen in ideal circumstances—excellent prints in the original widescreen formats—the best examples of the genre are quite impressive. DUEL OF THE TITANS (ROMOLO E REMO) is one of the best, and it's magnificent.

This is not a muscleman fantasy with superhuman feats of strength, like HERCULES, but a serious retelling of the foundation myth of Rome. Various elements of the Romulus and Remus story are freely but intelligently reinterpreted, the sets and costumes have a convincing Iron Age look, and the larger-than-life characters of the legendary Twins are strongly portrayed by Gordon Scott and Steve Reeves. Both actors are at the peak of their considerable cinematic charisma. (Virna Lisi as Julia and Ornella Vanoni as the pants-wearing Tarpeia are also impressive!)

As I write (2006), the movie is virtually impossible to find except as a bootleg. It deserves a DVD release of a quality widescreen print.

Brothers Romulus (Steve Reeves) and Remus (Gordon Scott), nursed by a wolf then raised by a shepherd, lead a rebellion and then fall out over a woman (sexy Virna Lisi) and over the founding of Rome, the eternal city. While likely not remembered as 'actor's actors', Reeves and Scott are absolutely fine in this colourful, well-made mytho-historial saga. The production manages to look more epic than it is and the battle scenes, while a bit small-scale, are quite well done. There is some fine horse stunt-work (notably in the early race through fire and in the final battle scenes - I suspect that the rules pertaining to animal stunts were more relaxed in Italy than in the US). The 'special effects' (such as arrows hitting in or near people) are well executed and although the dubbing leaves something to be desired, the characters are all fine for a sword-and-sandal opus. I watched this primarily because I wanted something 'visual that's not too abysmal', and was pleased (and surprised) that it wasn't abysmal at all. The torture scene, where Romulus is spun on something akin to a giant salad-spinner while being flogged, is one of a kind (and a tribute to the sacrifices the actor was willing to make for his art).

From the 60's up to the 80's Italian Movie Producers made money with Horror Pictures, Comedies, Spaghetti Western, Giallo, Poliziotteschi and other Genres. But there was another unique Subgenre before: Sword n' Sandal Movies. Many of later well known Directors like Mario Bava, Sergio Leone, Enzo Barboni, Duccio Tessari and many more worked and learned in this Sub-Genre. Sergio Corbucci was one of them either. He should later become famous for directing Spaghetti-Western like Django, Navajo Joe, Il Mercenario, Companeros and many more. Romulus and Remo was one of his first directing jobs and IMO he did it very well. But Corbucci wasn't the Highlight in 1961. People went to cinema to watch the clash of two Action Heroes of that time: Steve Reeve (Hercules) as Romulus against Gordon Scott (Tarzan) as Remo.

Both Actors were allowed to show their muscles and they have some pretty good fights. Next to them there are two attractive women Virna Lisi as blonde Princess of the Sabina Tribe and Laura Solari as an Amazon Warrior. The Story is about the mythology of the founding of Rome "The Eternal City". Romulus (or Romolo) and Remo (or Remus) are twin brothers who were wet-nursed by a female wolf. Surprisingly the Movie follows more and the less the mythology with few inventions. In the storyline there are some flaws but IMO not as terrible as in other Sword n' Sandals. The Action and the Fights are all well shot. There is a high body count but don't worry no blood. During watching it I got the feeling to watch a Spaghetti-Western with a lot of Horse riding and swords instead of guns. Most of the scenes are typically for this genre: a fight in a gladiator arena, a pagan scene, a torture scene and many more. "Romolo e Remo" is a fine entertaining Example for this Subgenre with a nice music too.

Up to the mid 60's the Sword n' Sandal Movies weren't produced any more in Italy. The audience wanted to see something new. Gordon Scott and Steve Reeve disappeared from the screen. Musclemen weren't popular any more. In the 80's a new Muscleman conquered Hollywood: Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The first detail to catch my eye about ROMOLO E REMO (DUEL OF THE TITANS) was the screenplay collaboration between the two Sergios of spaghetti Western fame: Corbuccci and Leone. By 1961, Corbucci had already directed quite a few biblical epics, disaster flicks, comedies starring Toto, and even sci-fi, mostly low budget; Leone would achieve global fame by directing FOR A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS three years later.

Alas, the screenplay is not ROMOLO E REMO's strongest card due to evidently implausible moments, but it wisely focuses on the relationship between the two brothers raised by a wolf who would - according to the legend - create Rome. That relation reminds one of the biblical Abel and Cain, Romolo the good guy, played by the splendidly fit, former Mr Universe Steve Reeves, Remo (Gordon Scott) the self-confessed envious sibling.

Both Reeves and Scott post muscular, larger than life physiques in this sword and sandal epic, with the great Massimo Girotti playing the king, Tazio, who does not want yet another settlement - the future eternal city, Rome, no less! - to steal thunder from his realm, and resents having his daughter abducted by Romolo.

Tazio's daughter is Iulia, played by the absolutely gorgeous Virni Lisi. Needless to say, Romolo is smitten at the sight of her, as any man worth his salt would be. Problem is, Remo - who already has loyal Laura Solari carrying a torch for him - also wants lovely Lisi, and has designs on becoming king of the new city that his sibling is so enthusiastic about... meaning that he wants no living brother to share power with. Now, that is real drama for you!

Cinematography by Enzo Barboni looks cheap, the battle sequences and the volcanic eruption reflect shoestring production values, but somehow Corbucci manages to keep the action interesting to the end. 7/10.

Well..this not the best of Steve Reeves or Gordon Scott movies, but definitely not the worse! There are plenty of worse movies outside there, so please do not judge the Italian movies in a bad way...TROY (Brad Pitt) is 1000 times much much much more worse compared to the Italian movies! Duel Of Titans is simply one of the better movies, and please check out for this one. The acting is good, the dubbed English audio is not very bad and moreover i've got a good dubbed audio for this movie! I don't know whether this movie originally use the Italian or English language..or maybe both??? No matter what kind of language they use in this movie, this is still a good movie. Good acting from both Steve Reeves and Gordon Scott, and fine storyline and plot. Not the best, but still a pretty good one. Buy it, surely you won't regret! 8/10 stars