The Grandeur That Was Rome

"The Grandeur That Was Rome" was an early indication of the change in direction from ordinary espionage tales to larger-than-life villainy, or "diabolical masterminds." Sir Bruno Lucer (Hugh Burden) is an admirer of ancient Rome, who thinks himself capable of being a modern day Caesar, and heads up a small band of radicals hoping to rule the world using a new form of bubonic plague. The Avengers discover that Sir Bruno's manufacturers of pesticides and insecticides are responsible for food grains infecting livestock around the world, marking the meddlesome Cathy Gale as the perfect guinea pig to test their plague antidote. Lovely Colette Wilde is best remembered as the first beauty victimized by Anton Diffring's obsessive plastic surgeon in 1960's "Circus of Horrors," also appearing in "House of Mystery" (1960) and "The Day of the Triffids" (1962). Previously seen in "A Chorus of Frogs," she easily stands out as the bewitching Octavia, supported by Ian Shand (previously seen in "Traitor in Zebra"), Raymond Adamson (previously seen in "The Decapod"), and Kenneth Keeling (previously seen in Mr Teddy Bear).

A series of strange happenings in the agricultural world, with new forms of bacteria being found. Would be emperor and megalomaniac Bruno Luca, has a plan to rebuild The Roman empire, a plan that involves bringing down the bubonic plague.

It's quite a zany storyline, but it works well, it's over the top, but entertaining and wonderfully theatrical, it wouldn't be a Roman story, without deceit and treachery, so expect plenty of that.

It surprises me that some are a little hard on this one, I like the more quirky episodes, this certainly is that, I can't think of many occasions where there were plans to bring back The Roman Empire.

This is very well produced, it looks great, I thought the sets and costumes were top notch, better than many of the time.

Hugh Burden plays the part with a true degree of sincerity, he's excellent, clearly relished the part, such a versatile actor, able to play quirky Investigators and evil alien beings, excellent here.

8/10.