Demetrius and the Gladiators

Call it "The Robe II". It's a pretty good story, actually, this sequel to "The Robe". As
entertainment, it has plenty to offer. As history, however, it falls flat on its face.

Caligula is played by the most outrageous ham I have ever seen. The only real accuracy of his story of Caligula is that he was assassinated by one of his own guards. Caligula also wasn't the slightest bit concerned with Christians or Jews, and in real life largely ignored them. There is no mention, of course, of the almost terminal brain fever he had that made him go mad and think himself to be a god.

Caligula's successor, Claudius, played here as a fine old Roman gentleman who wished the Christians well at the end, in fact found them and the Jews both to be a bother, and showed them the doors of Rome at every opportunity. (Please note: with the exception of one politically motivated action of Nero, real persecution of Christians did not occur until much later, under the Emperor Diocletian) And let's not forget the Empress Messalina, probably the most notorious loose woman in Roman history, resolving at the end to be a good wife from now on. Sorr-eeeee.

These things really annoy me, but then - hey, I'm a history buff. Despite these little problems, it is still a good movie, and Victor Mature is perfect as the toughened gladiator. In fact, the gladiator school sequences were very well done, and Ernest Borgnine was wonderful as hardened old Stabo, the trainer. It's a classic and still a favorite.

'The Robe'; another great show. I enjoy the movie immensely and heartily recommend it to all lovers of Hollywood when it didn't suck -in the past few years now- big failings now.

I liked it back in 1954 when I first saw it but the sound quality is rather poor. I have to turn my volume way up to hear the sound.

This is a very good Bible type story but it seems that is a continued part of the movie The Robe. It seems to appear when they made the Robe they continued on to its sequal Demetrius and the Gladiators, most of the same actors and cast.

I just bought the new issue of The Robe & so I went back & watched this sequel to it. What a great movie this is. Of course it's "Hollywood" & much historical liberties are taken. But one also learns & enjoys so much. I love the flashback start & the heroic-style music-the music is great in this movie & really inspires me. This is one of Victor Mature's best roles & Jay Robinson as Caligula makes me wish he had done a whole movie based on his character. Watch for the musical song sung by Miriam's character & Dean Jagger's role-both very well done. I just really like this movie & everything about it.

Ok so its old time drama but the movie still carries solid performance from the cast. Movie score is not bad either. Lets just say that it may have inspires the Gladiator & Rome of this generation.

This is the sequel to The Robe. It is very good, full of action, and historical in respect to the persecution that occured to the early Christian church.

The Film is one that I and my wife believe is one of the Greatest Christian films that we could relate to alot and I believe even for alot other professing Christians !!!!

this movie was one of my favorites when growing up. 50 years later I watched it again and still think it is a worth while movie. I really liked the actor who played Caligula (Jay Robinson). I believed he died early on after this movie. Played the part to a "T". He was much better to watch then Victor Mature who was not right for the part. Hard to believe he would be a threat to anyone let alone a gladiator!!

The arena scenes are good with good action and fight sequences. Good movie for us old timers who enjoy 50's movies.

This is a terrible movie - it would be bad enough if we hadn't read the book, The Robe, but because we did, the book portrays Demetrius as a thoroughy moral, loyal and admirable person, and the movie shows him as a pleasure-loving, vacant-eyed, immoral fighting machine. Where the movie makers came up with this spin is beyand me, but someone should have stopped them. Actually, after reading the book and 'knowing' Demetrius in that manner, I found the movie nauseating - like a crude and mean characture of a good friend.
Don't buy it.

Demetrius and the gladiators is 'possibly one of the finest and exciting about the biblical epic. The movie in question depicts the last days of Caligula around the untiring search of the Holy cloak; the capture of Demetrius and his forced incursion into the gladiator' s epic, his sudden loss of faith when he fervently is seduced by Mesalina and finally the death and rise of Claudius.

There are brilliant and realistic sequences of brave fights on the Imperial sand but the film abruptly ends; and one leaves the hall firmly believing if it was question related with the budget.

Fortunately the precious Susan Hayward gives a tour de force acting who makes us to forget on one hand the awful performance of Caligula (absolutely flat and pasteboard) the straight stone faced of Victor Mature whose inexpressiveness was pitifully its main enemy to achieve a major status in Hollywood.

But there are justified moments of emotion all the way through, for kids and adults.

This is one of the very best Bibically-based films ever, and it was also one of the best of the early "sequels." Taking up the story precisely where The Robe left off, it is an even more exciting continuing tale of the Greek slave, Demetrius, and his quest to protect the robe worn by Jesus at His crucifixion. The gladitorial combat scene, where Demetrius avenges the assumed death of his sweetheart, and subsequently renounces his faith, is one of the most memorable ever, and actually rivals that of Russell Crowe in "Gladiator." A must for the Easter season, or for any time one needs a reaffirmation of faith or inspiration.

Demetrius and the Gladiators is a very good movie, in the classic sense of that term.

Many people of his time adored Victor Mature, while critics sometimes claimed he was melodramatic, but Mature was impressively right for the majority of films in which he was cast. The studio system was smart that way.

In this case, Mature brings the drama to life almost single-handedly, and certainly carries off this cast-of-thousands sequel to THE ROBE beautifully. Mature was well suited to the 50s sword-and-sandal trend, and I'd say this film, along with DeMille's equally good SAMSON AND DELILAH, are among his best performances of the period.

This film is a respectable and interesting sequel to THE ROBE, and unequivocally worth seeing. What's more, I can't agree that Jay Robinson is "over the top" -- he's just as fascinating a villain as he was in THE ROBE, and we're lucky to have more of him in the role in this movie. Considering that Robinson became, by all accounts, mentally obsessed with his character of the Roman emperor in these two films for the rest of his life, I'd say this movie is even more fascinating in that regard. Robinson is one of those actors who proves the old saying that it only takes one stand-out performance to secure an actor's place in history forever. Robinson's performance is easily the best Roman emperor ever committed to celluloid up until now, I CLAUDIUS notwithstanding.

In short, don't sell this movie short, or you'll be the worse for it. The movie's tone is certainly different from THE ROBE, but it is a genuinely satisfying Hollywood entertainment of a fairly high order. The budget is generous, the cast is excellent, and the movie looks very good in all the most important aspects as a result. Feel free to bring popcorn, and I'd recommend a Kleenex as well.

In an age when Hollywood was not fond of making sequels (1954), we have here a continuance of the story of the Robe of Christ and the Christians who were dedicated to it's preservation after Tribune Gallio (Richard Burton) is martyred at the end of 1953's "The Robe", an extremely popular Christian epic. The plot follows Demetrius (Victor Mature) as he experiences what Christians call "backsliding", due to a perception that his love is dead at the hands of some drunken gladiators. What follows is a tremendous example of revenge and eventual redemption of a man overwhelmed with grief and filled with hate. The Gladiator scenes are wonderfully done. The colors and production in Cinemascope stand out and some of the continuing performances such as Jay Robinson are worthy of an Academy Award nomination, as Robinson gives his heart to the role of the manic Caligula, believing himself to be a God and eventually being killed at the hands of his own guards. The revenge scene against the Gladiators is Great! Demetrius grabs a sword and kills them one by one in the arena as his opponents are forced to face him under the whip of Ernest Borgnine and the hot-smoking poker of Demetrius's friend. "These aren't the rules" says a gladiator full of fear at Demetrius's blood lust for their deaths. "We're changing the rules!!! replies Borgnine as he chases the rest of them out to die. WOW! One of the better Gladiator movies since Spartacus and although Crowe's Gladiator is excellent and funny in spots, this movie from the 50's is a classic rendering with bad guys you love to hate! Well recommended, but make sure you see "The Robe" first to know what is going on.

This is a sequel to "The Robe" and introduces some themes that are harder to accept. Demetrius asks God to help his love escape (rape or worse), and God apparently takes her life. At that point he loses faith, denies his Lord and pursues taking things into his own hands. He isn't happy, although he fills his life with accolades and physical pleasures. Sent by the mad emperor to retrieve the robe of Christ, he finds that his lady love actually alive - in some kind of shock / coma. He realizes how he has betrayed Jesus and repents. The girl comes out of it and he gos back to face the emperor without the robe.

This film should be seen by all fans of Roman history despite a somewhat improbable story line. Following the Lloyd Douglas novel The Robe, the film places Christians in Rome under Caligula, the third Caesar (reigned AD 37-4l) although there is not the slightest evidence that there were any in Rome that early. The actors all give strong performances, but the real show-stealer is Jay Robinson as the egomaniacal and demented emperor.

Another "my" era actor. Very good movie and a classic.

Demetrius (Victor Mature), a freed Greek slave and dedicated Christian, is apprehended by Roman soldiers while trying to hide Christ's robe. Condemned to train as a gladiator, Demetrius refuses to kill his adversaries when he defeats them so he is greatly admired by the other gladiators...

His magnificent physique and powerful strength attract the attention of Messalina (Susan Hayward), a beautiful Roman, married to Claudius (Barry Jones), the future Caesar. She is fascinated by him and wants to find out if he will kill his opponent when his only alternative is being killed himself...

Demetrius hears that Lucia (Debra Paget), a Christian girl whom he loves, is dead after having been attacked by Dardanius (Richard Egan) and other gladiators... His faith shaken, he makes a kill at the Roman arena and succumbs to Messalina's charms...

Favored by the sensuous Messalina, he is set free after swearing his allegiance to Emperor Caligula (Jay Robinson). But the latter, to prove Demetrius' loyalty, sends him to fetch the robe that Christ wore to his crucifixion...

Two clips from "The Robe" were used: the Cruxifixion and the last scene with Richard Burton and Jean Simmons, only, for Demetrius, Susan was seen watching them...

Hayward looked gorgeous as the wicked Messalina. The part, however, was not developed. It might have been an ideal role for Susan... Demetrius' Messalina repented at the end while the real Messalina went on to more promiscuity until she paid with her own life.

This was Susan's second movie with the radiant Debra Paget, who was still considered a promising starlet, but, again, they were never together in a scene.

Future Academy Award winners Ernest Borgnine and Anne Bancroft had small parts. Michael Rennie and Jay Robinson were excellent in their respective roles. Julie Newmeyer was one of the dancing girls, long before she became Julie Newmar and played Howard's rival in "The Marriage-Go-Round."

"Demetrius and the Gladiators" is a lively, efficient sequel to "The Robe," with emphasis less on religiosity than on the brutality of the arena and our hero's sexual temptations and near-escapes...

Well produced and well acted film. Jay Robinson makes a splendid Caligula.

While this is a great movie, this DVD reproduction does it severe injustice. The sound track is out of sync and the production quality of the DVD is marginal.

This is the best film of the century. Usually sequels are not as high in quality as the original movie. However, in the case of "Demetrius and the Gladiators" this pattern does not apply. The sequel was incredible: sword against three-prong spear, dagger against three tigers, and short sword against short sword. Caligula represents power, corruption, vane dogma, war, and vane aspiration. Messlinda represents infidelity, sensuality, carnality, seduction, and enslavement. Claudius represents the glory of ancient roman, along with is man-made philosophy, hedonism, and epicurean poisons. Peter represents the finest teachings of the master. Demetrius represents the heart and courage of David when men of honor defended the House and Kingdom. Lucia represent a kind and virtuous woman.

Demitris has found peace, contentment, and love in a small community outside of Rome. Peter departs the community; too preach the gospel heading for the North and leaves Demetrius, in charge, as the religious authority. Caligula learns about the robe is located with Peter and sends a roman army too retrieve it. The roman army marches through the community and the centurian offers 20 pieces of gold for information about the robe and failing to get information begins a house to house search. Lucia flees and the centurian pursues. The Centurian attacks Lucia; Demetrius and the centurian engage in hand to hand combat; and Demetrius Kos the centurian. Lucia was trying to distract the guard from discovering the robe and the distraction work, but Demetrius is taken capitive.

Demetrius because of his fighting skills is sent to the gladiator pit, where he is instructed that gladiators "live well", "fight well", and "die well"; those who attempt to escape are cruxified. Demetrius attempts to escape from the training area and Messlinda wants to know why he would try to escape. Demetrius tell her of his Christian beliefs of peace and this disturbs her. Messlinda believes men are salvages and only know fighting, she does not believe in peace or love; she ask Demetrius, "how can a man love a woman like a brother?" Demetrius replies a man cannot.

Demetrius skilled in usage of the Macedonian shield and short sword. The two weapons innovations established as the based of western warfare. Demistrius and Glycon must fight in the arena as a birthday present to Calgula. In the arena the guards cheer on the warriors. The guard protects the emperor.

Claudius pleads with Caligula not to forget that the Emperors strength comes from loyalty and protection of the guard and Caligula should not to distance himself from the loyalty of the guard.. The Emperor Caligula failure to recognize this fact led to his death. Eventually, a spear from the Praetorian Guard will assassinate Caligula and the Praetorian Guard will proclaim Claudius Emperor.

Messalina is married to Claudius, who is next in line to become Caesar. There is a large age difference between Claudius and Messalina; Claudius is old enough to be Messalina father. Messalina descends from the lineage of emperors and Claudius probably married her to strengthen his ties with the imperial court. Claudius is the uncle to Caligula.

Messalina announces her loyality to Claudius after he ascends as emperor but her lascivious ways and loyalities are questionable; Messalina claims loyal to Claudius but open condemns him for not rescuing her from Caligula; Claudius warns Messalina not to hurt Demetrius in one of her extravagant conquests and suggests he is aware of her promiscuity and free love religion. Messalina pagan beliefs and religion should have been repulsive to Demetrius. Many of the Christians in Rome where destroying the groves and idols of Rome secretly at night and the vandalism inflame Caligula, who posts orders that every ten guard be put to death if the vandalism did cease. Claudius advised Caligula not to post the order, but Caligula believes he is an invincible God claiming to be able to seen Diana in the halls, who visits him every night.

Messlinda is disturbed by Christian moral code of peace and arranges for Demetrius to fight Glycon. Messlinda believes in enslaving men into their sensual appetites and desires and bringing them into her bondage of sensuality and lust.

Demetrius in the arena wounds Glycon in the arm and waits for Caesars signal of life or death, but refuses to kill the Ethopian, Glycon, who he will later make his servant and free him from the arena. As result Demetrius must fight the tigers. Demetrius kills the tigers and receives medical treatment, recovers, and becomes the servant of Messlinda.

Lucia learns from a prostitue that Demetrius fights as a Roman gladiator and begs to be allowed to visit him. Lucia is discovered by Messalina and Demetrius denyed the opportunity to fight the next day and all entertainment privileges revoked. Lucia believes she will be raped and falls into a deep coma. Demetrius believes Lucia is dead. Demetrius wants revenge and blood. The next day Demetrius can not be denied vengenace and he kills all the men involved with Lucia attack in the arena and gains his freedom and rank as tribune. Demetrius takes Glycon, as his servant. Caligula has Demetrius renounce his devotion to Jesus Christ and swear allegiance to the Emperor. Demetrius becomes a "Saul" of the Christians telling Peter, "he know believes in nothing".

Demetrius is a true Roman warrior. His battles against multiple opponents simulateously, in the arena, win the hearts of the Roman guard because he fights with the ancient spirit of the Spartians, whom the Romans admired. Demetrius is given freedom and promoted to rank of tribune.

Peter visits Demetrius and Peter and receives mockery and scorn from Demetrius and Messlinda. Messlinda pleads to Caligula to have Peter killed and to obtain the robe which has the secret to eternal life. Caligula fears the robe.

Caligula orders Demetrius, a new tribune to retrieve the robe. Demetrius arrives in the community and orders Peter to give him the robe. Peter ushers Demetrius through a veiled curtain and where Lucia is resting in a trance. Demetrius breaks down and begs for forgiveness and Lucia awakens to his pleadings.

After obtaining the robe Caligula kills a prisoner and then with the robe in hand, commands the prisoner to life. After failing to bring the prisoner to life, Caligula confronts Demetrius scorning the robes power, whereupon, Demetrius, who now is a tribune assaults Caligula which returns him to the gladiator pit.

Demetrius returns to the arena to fight the greatest gladiator of all time, but refuses to fight. The guard votes against Demetrius death but Caligula orders contrary. The gladiator and Caligula are both killed a new Caesar emerges. The era of emperors represents instability in the empire, sorrow, and remorse for lost of the voice of the senate. Freedom of Speech is the prized possession and liberty of any great republic. Corruption, power, and slavery abound in the empire when the voice of the people is suppressed and fear rules the empire.

Mention the name Demetrius to any American male over the age of 45 and I guarentee his immediate response will be the fond recollection of one his favorite films from his youth, 'Demetrius and the Gladiators.' Released in '54, 'Demetrius and the Gladiators' is the sequel to the highly successful 'The Robe' released a year earlier and continues the storyline concerning Romes' attempt to stamp out the "Christian Rebellion" and obtain the elusive robe of Christ.

While the first installment of this story was more of a spiritual/psychological drama, the second took on a decidedly more action/adventure flavor. Demetrius (Victor Mature) is a Christian pacifist captured by the Romans and sentenced to die in the arena. However when his girlfriend Lucia (Debra Paget) apparently dies in an altercation with a group of gladiators he becomes enraged, denies his newfound faith, takes up a sword and stuns the Roman world by killing them all one-by-one in battle before Emperor Caligula.

Once jeered by the crowd Demetrius is now a "Hero of Rome" and becomes head of the elite Pretorian Guard. However his new life of power and excess eventually comes into question when he discovers that his beloved Lucia still lives and the Christian God is not dead.

'Demetrius and the Gladiators' is one of the greatest of all gladiator films and a rarity among the genre, a movie with a message. This is Victor Mature in his signature performance as Demetrius. However as good as Mature is, he is outshined by Jay Robinson who is also reprising his role as Caligula from 'The Robe.' Robinson's flamboyant mannerisms, drastic mood swings and disturbing, murderous glares are unmatched in cinematic history and has defined forever how to play the mad Emperor Caligula.

i love it because it was very easy for my children to understand.

Delmer Daves' mediocre direction of the sequel to the equally pathetic film "The Robe" starring Richard Burton. A totally contrived film that demonstrates no competence in either screenplay, direction, acting, or historical accuracy of any sort. Avoid at all costs unless you're expecting to see it as a comedy.

Compared to Kubrik's incredible direction for 'Spartacus' a few years later, the gladiatorial scenes in this film are second rate. Even the low budget film 'Barabas' with Anthony Quinn had better direction than this worthless film. The screenplay is contrived, the script is worthless, and the acting utterly shallow from everyone on this film: at least 'The Robe' had Richard Burton. Victor Mature continues to act as if he just came out of a cocktail lounge after a few martinis too many. Jay Robinson continues his idiotic and ridiculous performance of Caligula as if the character were a retarded bufoon instead of the diabolical genius of cruelty and perversion (See Hurt's performance in the BBC's 'I, Claudius' to see how a good actor handles this character.) In short, reading the New Testament or going to a church sermon is far more entertaining and historically faithful than watching this garbage film. Just the fact that Victor 'Manure' is in this film says it all.

Ignore this pathetic film and watch 'Spartacus', 'Barabas', or even the fantasized 'Gladiator' for some good Gladiatorial films. As for Biblical films, 'Ben Hur', 'The Ten Commandments' or 'Quo Vadis' are films that are worth watching much more than this putrid Hollywood junk.

Demetrius and the Gladiators is an enjoyable film (see other reviewers for details) but the film quality on the DVD sucks! No effort was made to restore the film and it shows in it's very fuzzy quality. What a shame, and a ripoff to the consumer. No extras either.

"Demetrius and the Gladiators", is often relegated to the shadows of its illustrious and far better known parent "The Robe",which was the first lavish effort in Cinemascope. This sequel takes up where the original story ends and uses some of the same cast and many of the original films sets in it's continuation of the saga dealing with the search for Christ's robe. In many ways however is a much more enjoyable and lively effort and focusing on life at the Roman Court features some of the most stunning gladiator scenes ever included in a film. Based on characters drawn from the biblical novel "The Robe", by Llyod C. Douglas this effort focuses on the freed Greek slave Demetrius (Victor Mature), and his ongoing battle between his Christian beliefs and the lure of a decadent Rome under the mad emperor Caligula (Jay Robinson). While the original movie was a very respectful effort centred around Christ's crucifixion "Demetrius and the Gladiators", focuses more on the viciousness of Imperial Rome and the bloody sport of Gladiator combat where innocent men fought to the death for the Roman mob's amusement. For its amazingly accurate depiction of the "sport", of gladiator combat it far surpasses more recent efforts in showing the training, equipment, and life of Gladiators in Imperial Rome. Blessed with some memorable performances, in particular Jay Robinson's amazingly wild performance as the deranged Caligula this film captures beautifully all that was unique about this period in Rome's history while still including the conventional love story element.

After the executions of the earlier heroes Marcellus and Diana at the hands of Caligula Demetrius is entrusted with Christ's sacred robe which the Romans believe works miracles. The insane Caligula meanwhile has had himself declared a living God and strikes terror into everyone including his uncle Claudius (Barry Jones), and his much younger seductive wife Messalina (Susan Hayward). Caligula orders an immediate search for the robe which is still in Rome and when the house where Demetrius is staying is searched the simple peasant girl Lucia (Debra Paget), is attacked by the soldiers trying to conceal the robes whereabouts. When Demetrius comes to her aid he is arrested and sentenced to train as a gladiator in one of the Imperial schools run by Claudius. Refusing to fight because of his christian beliefs Demetrius becomes an unwelcome focus of interest for the dangerous and deadly Messalina who uses people fo rhe rown amusement. When Lucia attempts to visit Demetrius at the school prior to his debut in the arena she is molested by another gladiator Dardanius (Richard Egan)and suffers a crippling shock. Disillusioned by the cruelty of the men and the lack of a sign that his christian beliefs tell him will come to those who are decent Demetrius forsakes his religion and becomes the most successful fighter in Rome. Breaking with the christians Demetrius becomes the lover of Messalina. Sent by Caligula to retrieve the robe Demetrius comes into conflict with Peter (Michael Rennie)who reminds him of how he has abandoned Jesus's teaching and given himself over to the immoral values of Caligula's court. He nevertheless gives Christ's Robe to Demetrius who passes it onto Caligula who in a deranged moment kills a prisoner and tries to raise him from the dead. When he fails Demetrius is sent back to the arena as a gladiator again. Caligula now sets out to deliberately destroy Demetrius in the arena however he doesn't take into account his own changing popularity with the all powerful Praetorian Guard who fed up with his threats against them oppose his plan to remove Demetrius and murder Caligula in the arena. The placid Claudius is nominated as the new Emperor and in his first speech gives christians the right to worship as they see fit. The conclusion sees Demetrius reunited with Peter who leave together to begin a new life as practising christians spreading the word of the teachings of Jesus free of Caesar's tyranny.

"Demetrius and the Gladiators", exemplifies all that is typical of these lavish 1950's epics. Beautiful colour photography, a rousing musical score courtesy of Franz Waxman, lavish sets and opulent eye filling costumes and extensive historical research into all matters related to gladiators all combine to make this film a sumptous viewing experience. The talent on display here is perhaps even more extensive than that in "The Robe". Victor Mature as the questioning and very human Demetrius had one of his best roles here and once again displays his ideal suitability for these epic type of productions. Susan Hayward, an extremely talented dramatic actress perhaps at times appears too modern for the role of the seductive Messalina but she very capably makes the most of her scenes in playing one of Ancient Rome's most infamous ladies. Jay Robinson of course towers over this whole production with his larger than life portrayal of the insane Caligula and captures very well the deadly and depraved mind that the emperor according to historical sources possessed. The supporting players are first rate with Michael Rennie repeating his pivotal role of the calm and assured Peter from "The Robe", Barry Jones making good work of what could have been the potentially uninteresting character of Claudius, and especially William Marshall who really excels in his part as Glycon, the African gladiator who is converted to christianity and provides Demetrius with a focus and a conscience. The recreation of the deadly Roman sports in the arena in "Demetrius and the Gladiators", are first rate and really keep the action moving. So well staged are they that at times it really looks like Victor Mature is actually fighting with real tigers during the famous scene here he confronts a group of them in the arena.

Being a real fan of the biblical epics of the 50's I feel that this film gets over its sincere message while still providing first class rousing entertainemnt of the old school of filmmaking. Often dismissed as "hokey", or "camp" mainly because of the performance of Jay Robinson, "Demetrius and the Gladiators", perhaps has those elements present but it also offers far more and is one of the most elaborate of these types of films. Intrigue, romance, tragedy, and danger are all combined in an eye filling package that is sure to win over all lovers of Roman history and of epic biblical productions in particular. Enjoy!

Victor Mature makes a better gladiator than Russell Crowe in this sequal to "the Robe."

Join Demetrius in his journey as he battles gladiators, tigers, Caligula, and most dangerous his feelings for the wiley and seductive Susan Haywood. What makes this movie so entertaining is the moral dilemma he faces, and his fall and redemption. This is a real man facing real temptations in an immoral world, much like we are in today.

Jay Robinson makes a welcome return as the emperor Caligula, chewing up the scenary with his wonderful performance.

This is like gladiator with heart.