Sous le signe de Rome

Roman consul "Marcus Valerio" (Georges Marchal) finds himself captured and tortured by "Zenobia" (Anita Ekberg), the warlike Queen of the rebelling Palmyra. Rather than just crucify him, though, she reckons he might be of some use as they plan to defeat their enemy in an even bigger battle yet to come and so secure their freedom. He's very easy on the eye is old "Marcus", and the Queen promptly takes a bit of a shine to him - despite the protestations of her scheming minster "Semanzio" (Folco Lulli). Pretty swiftly we are let into the truth about the Roman's mission in her kingdom, but just as with the queen, he too is becoming just a bit conflicted. Can he save her without losing his honour and betraying his own people? Can she survive the machinations of her warlike advisor and save her new love? Well none of that is really in jeopardy at any point in this amiably colourful piece of peplum, but the writing (from Sergio Leone, no less) and the acting are really pretty woeful and there's not the slightest jot of chemistry between the wooden as a post Marchal and an Ekberg who really did look like she was there for the cash and the holiday. There are some enjoyably photographed and staged battle scenes at the end with flames and catapults a-plenty and though it could never be called good, it's by no means the worst of these 1950s sword and sandal efforts.

I assume this isn't the easiest film for people to see. It isn't on video (to my knowledge), doesn't turn up at cinema's. In Australia it turns up occasionally on our foriegn language channel as part of their "sword & sandal" series. And my God, Anita Ekberg. Already a fan of her....um, talents. This film offers a rare view of more of her talents than before. Her outfits are very sensuous. Given the chance to meet her, I think my manhood would have shrunk away, as she is a very powerful icon, yet watched from a far, she is an Amazonian entity to adore. For serious film fans, you shouldn't feel guilty for watching this "trash", as Sergio Leone's name can be glimpsed in the writers credits!

Only ruins remain of Palmyra today, but it was once one of the greatest cities in the east dominating the eastern part of the Roman empire from Ancyra down to Egypt. Zenobia was always the object of myths and legends, she was not stupid but highly cultivated, and Palmyra was second only to Alexandria for culture and civilisation. However, Rome would not allow it but had to swallow it all down in its own imperial preponderance and bring Zenobia a prisoner to Rome. There she was apparently granted some freedom and worthy sustenance unto her dying day. The film makes a romance out of it, making a Roman soldier a prisoner in Palmyra, whom Queen Zenobia falls in love with, thus complicating both the lives of herself and her Roman lover. Eventually they find each other in peace at Rome. The film is a monumental typical Peplum feature with very much pomp and circumstance and a great battle in the end. The music tries to equal the pompous ostentation without succeeding. It is no more than a superficial entertainment with Anita Ekberg at the centre of it with plenty of space for the admiration of her beauty, but she was never a great actress. Her best performances were in totally different genres.

A joint venture of many countries get together to bring the famous Queen Zenobia, who ruled the large and powerful Palmyrene Kingdom around 270 AD, dealing with real events the movie exposes the Roman Consul Marcos Valerius (George Marchal) that instead attack Palmira would rather tries convince her a peace agreement with Rome, due it will cost many lives, however the dubious Zenobia (Anita Ekberg) insanely entrapped the Roman emissary as slave, advised by her Prime Minister Zemanzius (Folco Lulli) actually a grey eminency who nourish an alliance with Palmira's enemy the Persians.

Soon arises a mutual romance interest of the voluptuous and gorgeous Queen and the Roman nobleman's, it triggers a jealous of the bleak Zemanzius, meanwhile a Roman legion led by General Marcelus (Alberto Farnese) headed to Palmira aiming for release Marcus Valerious and seize the city, in the meantime Zemanzius set up a plot at behest of Persia that the battle between Palmira and Rome weaken both enabling Persia takes the whole Palmira's territory.

Aside all happenings worthwhile a look on the sexy dance provides by Chelo Alonso, as usually in those Peplum and Sword genre, the battles also exposes the roman machinery of war, years ahead of their enemies, as moving catapults throwing flaming stones and also spears, further a flawless strategic warfare, lastly rather than less important the wiser filmmakers tried capitalize on the beauty and sexy figure of Anita Ekeberg often exposing those voluminous airs bags and couple of legs to mesmerizing the viewers slobbering in every single frame where the Nordic Goddess appeared.

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First watch: 2024 / How many: 1 / Source: Youtube / Rating: 6.

Zenobia, Queen of Palmira, revolts against Rome and defeats the Roman troops under the command of the consul Marcus Valerius. However, they fall in love with each other, which complicates not only Marcus Valerius' tasks, but also his loyalty towards Rome. He will have to find a way to help the Romans conquer Zenobia's territory while protecting her at the same time. But Zenobia's treacherous minister, Semantio, has other plans - he covertly plots against Zenobia by forming an alliance with King Shapur of Persia. With Rome on one side and Persia waiting in the wings, Valerio tries to halt the destruction of Palmira and the possible execution of Queen Zenobia.

This talky, but nicely produced and lavishly decorated peplum film is light on action, but heavy on intrigue, treachery, romance and subterfuge and borders into being a soap opera. It ends with a battle between two armies, soldiers set on fire by catapult- its short but exciting. George Marchal stars as the Roman consul who falls for Anita Ekberg ( who blames the poor sod?!) and Anita Ekberg acts well and fills her costumes well. Chelo Alonso does her usual hip-shaking dance moves.