Movie spotlight
The decurion Randus holds himself so well in the command of his troops, that Caesar promotes him to centurion. He is subsequently sent to Egypt, to keep Cesar informed on the actions and intentions of co-triumvir Marcus Licinius Crassus - a man too rich, and ambitious, for Caesar's comfort. A fateful sea trip from Egypt to Rome forces Randus in captivity by mercenary troops, and leads a revolt by which he gets freedom for himself, and all the other slaves. Through an amulet he received from his late mother, a man who had fought by Spartacus' side, identifies the young man as Spartacus' and Varinia's son. At first reluctant to accept this story about his origins, Randus will be forced by the circumstances to repeat the feat of his father, twenty years later.
In ancient Greece, the skilled blacksmith Demetrios is captured and enslaved by the Persians. While enduring his brutal servitude, he witnesses firsthand the cruelty of the Persian Empire and the suffering of its conquered peoples. Driven by a desire for freedom and justice, Demetrios plots an escape, hoping to return to his homeland and fight against the Persian invasion.
Richard Thorpe's 'The Slave' (1962) is a typical peplum film of its era, offering sword-and-sandal action and historical drama. While it features a muscular performance from Steve Reeves and grand-scale set pieces, it received mixed to negative reviews from critics, who often found its plot simplistic and its historical accuracy questionable. Audiences, however, were generally more receptive to its adventurous spirit and Reeves' heroic persona.
Visually impressive with grand set designs and action sequences characteristic of the genre.
Steve Reeves delivers a commanding performance as the enslaved hero.
The plot is straightforward and relies heavily on action rather than complex character development or historical nuance.
Google audience: Audience reception for 'The Slave' is not readily available through Google reviews, but historical context suggests it was likely appreciated by fans of the peplum genre for its heroic protagonist and action-packed narrative.
The film was shot in Yugoslavia, utilizing its landscapes and historical sites to stand in for ancient Persia and Greece.
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Steve Reeves is at his muscle-bound best in this slightly too long and episodic story of that little baby that left his father nailed to cross a couple of decades earlier. He is unaware of his provenance and has been brought up as a Roman t...