Roman Centurion Randus is sent by Julius Ceaser to Egypt to keep an eye on the evil Crassus. However he is ship wrecked on the way and is mistaken for a slave and captured by some of Crassus's auxiliaries, while kidnapped a Gladiator tells him that he is in fact the son of Spartacus and that it is his destiny to finish what his father started.
The Slave, a somewhat unofficial sequel to Spartacus, is shot partially on location in the Egyptian desert and is given real depth by the use of wonderful widescreen cinematography. Visually it's all very impressive. It stars Steve Reeves, who does well in the title role, a Roman centurion who learns that he's the son of Spartacus. He's quite sincere in the role. From the beginning, the pace is brisk, it's an old school sword and sand tale told with much colour, gusto, skill and enthusiasm. Hardly a dull moment, something I can't say about Spartacus (1960 film is very good with great action scenes and strong narrative drive but it has dull spots and too much talking). The production values are top notch and so is the acting. It's got well-staged action sequences, the sword fighting in particular is good with a clear sound of steel clashing, but it also has some intelligent and philosophical dialogue.
Crassus is a really power-mad villain, sending slaves to their death at the drop of his helmet, Gianna Maria Canale plays his wife who has eyes for Reeves and Ombretta Colli is beautiful as Saida, the slave girl and Reeves' love interest.
I also liked the fact that Caesar wasn't a scrawny young man a la Jay Robinson, but a middle-aged man who sprouts philosophical lines and comes across world-weary. Definitely one of Steve Reeves best film.
The Slave, a somewhat unofficial sequel to Spartacus, is shot partially on location in the Egyptian desert and is given real depth by the use of wonderful widescreen cinematography. Visually it's all very impressive. It stars Steve Reeves, who does well in the title role, a Roman centurion who learns that he's the son of Spartacus. He's quite sincere in the role. From the beginning, the pace is brisk, it's an old school sword and sand tale told with much colour, gusto, skill and enthusiasm. Hardly a dull moment, something I can't say about Spartacus (1960 film is very good with great action scenes and strong narrative drive but it has dull spots and too much talking). The production values are top notch and so is the acting. It's got well-staged action sequences, the sword fighting in particular is good with a clear sound of steel clashing, but it also has some intelligent and philosophical dialogue.
Crassus is a really power-mad villain, sending slaves to their death at the drop of his helmet, Gianna Maria Canale plays his wife who has eyes for Reeves and Ombretta Colli is beautiful as Saida, the slave girl and Reeves' love interest.
I also liked the fact that Caesar wasn't a scrawny young man a la Jay Robinson, but a middle-aged man who sprouts philosophical lines and comes across world-weary. Definitely one of Steve Reeves best film.