5/10
Average storytelling about Caesar and Vercingetorix
12 September 2008
It concerns Julius Caesar and his famous existence on Gaul , including feats , fights , political events , betrayal , wars and lovers . Vercingetorix (Rik Battaglia) provokes a popular rebellion against Roman domination , he rallies his people and Gaul tribes when they are threatened by an army commanded by Julius Caesar (Cameron Mitchell) . Caesar asks for senator Pompeius (Carlo Tamberlani) to lead some troops for fighting the Barbarians . But Caesar's protégée (a very young Raffaela Carrá) is kidnapped by Vercingetorix and later on , her lover Claudius (Ivo Payer) is also taken prisoner . But they're freed by Queen Astrid (Dominic Wilms) . Although the deeds described are historically inaccurate , some events are vivid and authentic .

This is a fairly Sword and Sandals standard from the 60s . It's made middling scale with some spectacular scenes and in Peplum style . The action is regularly done and the story occasionally drags , however to be liked for Peplum's hardcore lovers . The motion picture was regularly directed by Americo Anton or Tanio Boccia . He directed some Spaghettis : Saguara , Kill or be Killed , Deadly Trackers and this Dio non paga il sabato (1967), but usually made Peplums, adventures and mini-epics , such as : Vendetta of Ivanhoe , La valle dell'eco tonante , Il dominatore del deserto , Maciste alla corte dello zar , I predoni della steppe , Sanson against pirates , Julio César,conqueror Gaul , Il trionfo di Maciste , Il conquistatore d'Orient , among others . Rating : 5/10 , mediocre .

The picture is partially based on real events . These are the following ones : Gallic chieftain Vercingetorix (dead at 46 b.c) was an insightful and valiant warrior , whose father was captured and executed by Romans , he was leader a rebellion against Roman domination . He seeks justice by winning freedom for Gaul from the Romans , and soon he raises an army of his own to defeat Caesar . Vercingetorix was definitely vanquished in Alesia , where took place a long siege . He was taken prisoner and led to Rome . Then he's coerced to a handcuffed parade throughout the Rome streets , being killed after six years in prison . Later on , Caesar, married Calpurnia, and is appointed Consul for life and then he crossed river Rubicon . His history is written by the same Julius Caesar in 'Comments about War of Gaul' or 'De Bello Galico', also he wrote in brilliant and elegant style 'Comments about Civil War' or 'De Bello Civili'.

Other adaptations about Caesar and Vercingetorix is as follows : 'Vercingetorix (2001)' by Jacques Dorffman with Chistopher Lambert and Klaus Mara Brandauer ; 'Julius Caesar (2004 TV) ' by Uli Edel with Jeremy Sisto as Caesar and Heino Ferch as Vercingetorix . Furthermore , known Shakespearian renditions as 'Julius Caesar(1953)' by Joseph L Mankiewicz with Louis Calhern as Caesar and Marlon Brando as Marcus Antonius and Stuart Burgue version (1970) starred by Charlton Heston .
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