Alan Ladd’s biographer claimed this was the worst film he ever made. Like many a fading star, Ladd was enticed over to Italy to make a sword and sandal film. (Helping sweeten the pot was the fact that the director would be Terence Young, with whom Ladd had made The Red Beret.) Too fat and puffy to play a gladiator, Ladd plays a Roman officer fighting the Barbarians – and you know something he seems a lot more animated than he does in several of his final films. Maybe it’s the period setting. And his blonde looks suit being a Roman general. (cf The Black Knight)
This has impressive production values and some decent action sequences, particularly Ladd being thrown down a pit with a dog. It also has a good story – Rome and Alba keep fighting so they decide to sort things out by getting a couple of key soldiers duel. Alan Ladd is the hero Horatio (I assume the same guy who defended the bridge but we don’t see that here); he is thought to have abandoned his troops in a battle, causing his fiancée to marry someone else – so when he comes back he gets to be bitter at a woman in typical Ladd style.
There are a number of key supporting characters played by unknowns and at times it’s a bit hard to remember who is who. (Ladd’s daughter Alana has a small role.) There is a really off subplot about Ladd’s sister who is kidnapped and raped by an Alban – then falls in love with him. Still, I don't know if it's the worst film Ladd ever made - at least he's well cast and it doesn't feel as depressing as his later Hollywood films.
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