Freely based on the Edward Bulwer-Lytton novel , whose story had previously had several cinematic renditions . Set in the shadows of Mt. Vesuvius just before its known eruption , the starring of this ¨Sword and Sandals movie¨ results to be Glauco (Steve Reeves), a Roman official , friend of emperor Tito , returning to his house from Palestine and trying to clean up the doomed town of Pompeii in this new adaptation of the 1935 classic (by Ernet B Schoedsack with Preston Foster and Basil Rathbone). Upon arriving, however, he finds out that his daddy has been killed by a band of black-hooded looting cutthroats . Steve plays a newcomer to Pompeya and he helps the Christians who are pursued by the evil rulers (Guillermo Marin, Fernando Rey) who govern tyrannically Pompeii . The good guys are Steve Reeves, Christine Kaufmann , Angel Aranda and the bad guys are Fernando Rey , Guillermo Marin , among others . Then , Glaucus vows vendetta against the murderers . Meanwhile , he saves the damsel in distress (Christine Kaufmann, Tony Curtis wife) of a runaway horse and discovers a twisted conspiracy . As Christians are accused of killings and Glauco seeks justice . But the eruption of Vesuvius threatens noblemen , slaves and Christians alike.
Here Steve Reeves plays as Glaucus, a Roman legionnaire, going back to his home from far-off wars ; Steve was a hunk man who made lots of roman epic films also called ¨Musclemen movies¨. Luck's Reeves changed when Italian director Pietro Francisci persuaded him to go overseas to star ¨Hercules¨ and sequel ¨Hercules and queen of Lydia also titled Hercules unchained ¨, and later on, he followed with ¨Goliath and the Barbarians, The giant of Marathon, The Trojan horse, The son of Spartacus and The Avenger¨ among them . Steve was an American bouncing who emigrated Italy and created a true star-system based on pumped-up heroes. He paved the way for others actors to seek their fame and fortune in Italy playing bouncing adventurers . Other stars by the time on this type of movies are Mark Forest, Gordon Mitchell , Rock Stevens , Dan Vadis , Brad Harris and 'Gordon Scott' who made him more important competence. Nobody, nevertheless, topped Steve in popularity. Steve Reeves as Glaucus, a soldier who woos avenge , is solid, though uninspired, in the lead role as an honest legionnaire caught up in the momentous deeds prior to eruption but acting honors go to Fernando Rey as a nasty high priest . This historic epic about Roman time and the eruption of Mount Vesuvius really holds no relation whatsover to Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton's novel and much of the dialog is of the wooden variety .
This exiting film turns out to be a Spanish/ West Germay/Italian co-production that were largely shot during the 60s in Spain and Italy . Sergio Leone made his credited directorial debut when the original director fell ill with this epic sword and sandal film starring American hunk actor Steve Reeves . Leone's dynamic framing of the Pompeii's earthquake at the center of the film combined with the frenetic action scenes set on top of it made sure the Saturday matinée crowd stayed glued to their seats for the film's excessive running time . This Spaghetti/Paella Peplum bears remarkable resemblance to ¨The Colossus of Rhodes ¨(1961) by Leone , in fact many of the same cast and crew members would be hired for Sergio Leone's this first credited directorial effort . And including the explosive spotlight when ground shaking and the town blows its top, besides ,repeating several players as Mimmo Palmara, Antonio Casas, Angel Aranda, Carlo Tamberlani as leader of Christians , technicians , producers, same cameraman : Antonio L. Ballesteros , musician : Angelo Frascesco Lavagnino , screenwriters such as Sergio Corbucci, Duccio Tessari, Ennio De Concini, assistant direction by Jorge Grau and second unit director by Leone who terminated the movie because director Mario Bonnard suddenly died , though the great Sergio appears uncredited. It was reportedly during the production of this film in which took part famous Italian filmmakers as Sergio Leone, Sergio Corbucci and Duccio Tessari were introduced to the deserts of Spain such as Almeria , this would inspire their use of these locations for the genre that would be known as "Spaghetti Westerns" . Rating : Entertaining and passable Muscleman movie . The picture will appeal to Steve Reeves fans . Well worth watching .
