This film, made at the twilight of Mr. Reeves film career, is certainly one of his best. The location work in Egypt and a rather big budget look add a great amount of, shall I say it?, realism to an essentially escapist, fantastical genre- the Italian sword and sandal flicks of the 1958-64 period. This picture also features some extremely diabolical villainy on the part of Crassus. Sir Laurence Olivier wasn't nearly this outrageously evil playing the same character in SPARTACUS! Steve's dilemma is pretty heavy in this one, doing a complete 180 from up and coming Roman centurions to advocate warrior of the freedom movement for the slaves of Rome. The action scenes stand up pretty well after 40 plus years.

Copyright 31 December 1962 by Titanus-Arta Cinematografica. Released through Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. New York opening at neighborhood cinemas on a double bill with "It Happened at the World's Fair": 29 May 1963. U.S. release: 29 May 1963. U.K. release: 29 December 1963. Australian release: 22 August 1963. 9,180 feet. 102 minutes. Original Italian title: Il FIGLIO DI SPARTACUS. U.S. release title: The SLAVE.

SYNOPSIS: In 48 B.C., Julius Caesar sends a young centurion named Randus to investigate the rule of the corrupt Grassus in the province of Lydia. En route by sea, Randus' ship runs aground and he is captured by a band of slave drivers. But he leads a revolt and the slaves defeat and destroy their captors. By means of an amulet he wears, Randus is then identified as the son of Spartacus, the gladiator-slave who was crucified twenty years earlier for warring against Rome. Arriving in Lydia, Randus is met by Grassus, his wily mistress Clodia, and her warrior brother Vezio. Outwardly pretending friendship, Randus secretly carries on his father's work by leading the enslaved Lydians in a revolt.

NOTES: Released in Italy in 1962 in a 110-minute version. The version released by M-G-M in America, England and Australia was of course English-dubbed.

COMMENT: Most of the sword-and-sandal epics released in such profusion in the 1960s were instantly forgettable exploitation, drive-in fare. "The Son of Spartacus", though obviously designed to cash in on the success of the Kirk Douglas hit, was a surprising exception which unexpectedly offered audiences really outstanding entertainment. A large part of "Spartacus" it will be remembered was taken up with gladiatorial combat. Unlike "Barabbas", "Son of Spartacus" does not make the mistake of showing audiences these scenes all over again. Instead, Andriano Bolzoni's astonishingly literate script concentrates on Caesar's campaign against Grassus. These two are superbly brought to life by Ivo Garrani and Claudio Gora, respectively. As Grassus's lieutenant, Jacques Sernas acquits himself well, as does Gianna Maria Canale (as his sister), Ombretta Colli (the slave girl) and even Steve Reeves in the title role (a very pleasingly accented English voice is used for Mr. Reeves instead of the strident American tones employed for him in previous epics).

Corbucci's direction is quite interesting (I like his profile studies of Caesar and Clodia), while Franco Giraldi's 2nd unit work in the shadow of the Pyramids themselves is vigorously staged and most effective.

Top-notch production values highlight this expensive-looking peplum yarn, starring genre titan Steve Reeves in one of his typically muscular and macho leading roles. The film is crisp and colourful throughout, making use of some spectacular desert locations and even a location shot at the Sphinx, which, if faked, has to be one of the best pieces of back projection work ever. We get towering cliffs, open seas, an ancient tomb, arid deserts, and plenty more interesting landscapes over which the action plays out. On top of this there's a stirring score with one of the best themes I've heard in a peplum film which really adds to the tons of action we have displayed on screen.

The plot is literate and interesting, not to mention unusual, as it depicts the son of Spartacus continuing his father's fight to free the slaves of Roman whilst at the same time masquerading as a loyal Roman soldier. There are lots of battles, hand-to-hand combat, and heroic acts, as Reeves frees men being crucified in a pool from drowning, causing huge lumps of rock to crash down on attacking soldiers. Men are chucked in acid baths and left to burn, slaves are whipped and tortured by their cruel captors, and all manner of incident and court intrigue highlight what is a superior movie for the genre.

Steve Reeves puts in what is one of his best performances as the stern, heroic lead, not over the top muscular here but still looking like a Greek God when he runs around in his shiny silver helmet and rights wrongs against the oppressed in some well-handled and usually exciting scenes of battle and action. The supporting cast, which includes genre regular Gianna Maria Canale, is a good mix with some Italian beauties thrown in for love interest like an attractive slave girl and lots of varied characters to keep things alive. SON OF SPARTACUS is a good example of the peplum genre at its most mainstream and intelligent, occasionally melancholic and moving but always well-paced, and an enjoyable experience to boot.