Die Revolte der Gladiatoren

A number of familiar elements may be found in this undistinguished but surprisingly watchable "peplum" -- bare-chested strongmen, an evil despot, sword fights, a damsel in distress, slaughter in the arena, demonstrations of muscular strength, a sexy temptress, crucifixions, persecuted Christians, a "loveable" midget, etc. Unfortunately, these elements have not been welded into a coherent whole but instead have simply been tossed together in the vain hope that a rousing plot will somehow emerge. (Just try answering this question from Screen Writing 101: What is the key relationship in this movie?) On the other hand, "The Ten Gladiators" offers the undeniable visual appeal of the ever-shirtless Dan Vadis, (brother of Quo?), who has the body of a Greek god and the face of a football captain. He plays Rocca, (pronounced Raccha in English-dubbed prints), and though his nipples are constantly on display, his navel remains modestly hidden. It's one mark of this movie's lack of organization that it can't provide Vadis with a suitable romantic interest, (though one is clearly available), and it deals him a fate which most audiences will find both surprising and displeasing. And what's with forcing Vadis and his fellow gladiators to repeatedly throw back their heads and emit hearty laughter as if they'e semi-high frat boys walking the late-night streets of Daytona Beach? Note: the dungeon scene showing two half-naked musclemen being burned with hot oil dripping down from the ceiling appears to have been "lifted" from the 1961 "Colossus of Rhodes." Another note: director Gianfranco Parolini also appears as the Roman senator who's sympathetic to the Christians.