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.
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.