Demetrius and the Gladiators

Product Description

This enormously successful sequel to "The Robe" continues the story of Demetrius (Victor Mature), the Greek slave who, after the death of his master, is sentenced to train as a gladiator in the Roman arena. There, his newfound Christian faith is put to the test when he has to contend not only with the swordsmen and wild beasts of the arena, but also the evil and sensuous Messalina (Susan Hayward) and the mad emperor Caligula (Jay Robinson). Crammed with astonishing action and fight sequences, this heroic epic is not to be missed.

System Requirements:
Starring: Victor Mature, Susan Hayward, Michael Rennie, and Debra Paget.
Running Time: 102 Min., Color.
This film is presented in "Widescreen" format.
Copyright 2000 Twentieth Century Fox.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

Amid a cast of all-stars in 1953's The Robe, Victor Mature made the strongest impression as the Greek slave, Demetrius. It was only natural, then, that Mature should star in this 1954 sequel, in which the newly liberated Demetrius forges an alliance with his Christian brethren to hide the sacred robe of Christ, coveted for its "magic" by the vile emperor Caligula (Jay Robinson, also reprising his role in The Robe). Captured and manipulated into believing his beloved Lucia (Debra Paget) has been killed, Demetrius rejects his pacifist faith, plots vengeance while becoming a rising star in the bloody arena, and falls prey to the scheming senator's wife Messalina (Susan Hayward), who craves his... affection. It all leads to a crisis of faith that will determine Demetrius's fate as a noble Christian or downfallen hedonist.

Inheriting The Robe's CinemaScope production values, Demetrius and the Gladiators has everything you'd want in a Biblical epic, riding the wave that would crest two years later with Cecil B. DeMille's The Ten Commandments. It's campy, of course--Robinson is outrageously over-the-top; Mature is too contemporary (preceding the absurdity of Richard Gere's King David by 30 years); and Hayward seems closer to Rodeo Drive than ancient Rome. Still, there are abundant pleasures here, from the lavish arena battles (a bit cheesy, but still impressive) to a straightforward morality tale that doesn't compromise its themes of religious loyalty. You don't watch movies like this for historical accuracy, but for the combination of thrills, passion, and glory that were Hollywood trademarks of 1950s epics, long before the more secular ambition of Gladiator. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

don't buy it.......2007-05-13

This is a terrible movie - it would be bad enough if we hadn't read the book, The Robe, but because we did, the book portrays Demetrius as a thoroughy moral, loyal and admirable person, and the movie shows him as a pleasure-loving, vacant-eyed, immoral fighting machine. Where the movie makers came up with this spin is beyand me, but someone should have stopped them. Actually, after reading the book and 'knowing' Demetrius in that manner, I found the movie nauseating - like a crude and mean characture of a good friend.
Don't buy it.

One of the Best Bibically-Based Films.......2007-04-10

This is one of the very best Bibically-based films ever, and it was also one of the best of the early "sequels." Taking up the story precisely where The Robe left off, it is an even more exciting continuing tale of the Greek slave, Demetrius, and his quest to protect the robe worn by Jesus at His crucifixion. The gladitorial combat scene, where Demetrius avenges the assumed death of his sweetheart, and subsequently renounces his faith, is one of the most memorable ever, and actually rivals that of Russell Crowe in "Gladiator." A must for the Easter season, or for any time one needs a reaffirmation of faith or inspiration.

A film that surmounted the acidic test of time!.......2007-04-10

Demetrius and the gladiators is 'possibly one of the finest and exciting about the biblical epic. The movie in question depicts the last days of Caligula around the untiring search of the Holy cloak; the capture of Demetrius and his forced incursion into the gladiator' s epic, his sudden loss of faith when he fervently is seduced by Mesalina and finally the death and rise of Claudius.

There are brilliant and realistic sequences of brave fights on the Imperial sand but the film abruptly ends; and one leaves the hall firmly believing if it was question related with the budget.

Fortunately the precious Susan Hayward gives a tour de force acting who makes us to forget on one hand the awful performance of Caligula (absolutely flat and pasteboard) the straight stone faced of Victor Mature whose inexpressiveness was pitifully its main enemy to achieve a major status in Hollywood.

But there are justified moments of emotion all the way through, for kids and adults.

An exciting epic sequel, fashioned according to the manner of Hollywood in the '50s.......2007-03-12

Demetrius and the Gladiators is a very good movie, in the classic sense of that term.

Many people of his time adored Victor Mature, while critics sometimes claimed he was melodramatic, but Mature was impressively right for the majority of films in which he was cast. The studio system was smart that way.

In this case, Mature brings the drama to life almost single-handedly, and certainly carries off this cast-of-thousands sequel to THE ROBE beautifully. Mature was well suited to the 50s sword-and-sandal trend, and I'd say this film, along with DeMille's equally good SAMSON AND DELILAH, are among his best performances of the period.

This film is a respectable and interesting sequel to THE ROBE, and unequivocally worth seeing. What's more, I can't agree that Jay Robinson is "over the top" -- he's just as fascinating a villain as he was in THE ROBE, and we're lucky to have more of him in the role in this movie. Considering that Robinson became, by all accounts, mentally obsessed with his character of the Roman emperor in these two films for the rest of his life, I'd say this movie is even more fascinating in that regard. Robinson is one of those actors who proves the old saying that it only takes one stand-out performance to secure an actor's place in history forever. Robinson's performance is easily the best Roman emperor ever committed to celluloid up until now, I CLAUDIUS notwithstanding.

In short, don't sell this movie short, or you'll be the worse for it. The movie's tone is certainly different from THE ROBE, but it is a genuinely satisfying Hollywood entertainment of a fairly high order. The budget is generous, the cast is excellent, and the movie looks very good in all the most important aspects as a result. Feel free to bring popcorn, and I'd recommend a Kleenex as well.

Robe Sequel drawn from "The Big Fisherman" Lloyd C. Douglas Novel.......2007-02-15

In an age when Hollywood was not fond of making sequels (1954), we have here a continuance of the story of the Robe of Christ and the Christians who were dedicated to it's preservation after Tribune Gallio (Richard Burton) is martyred at the end of 1953's "The Robe", an extremely popular Christian epic. The plot follows Demetrius (Victor Mature) as he experiences what Christians call "backsliding", due to a perception that his love is dead at the hands of some drunken gladiators. What follows is a tremendous example of revenge and eventual redemption of a man overwhelmed with grief and filled with hate. The Gladiator scenes are wonderfully done. The colors and production in Cinemascope stand out and some of the continuing performances such as Jay Robinson are worthy of an Academy Award nomination, as Robinson gives his heart to the role of the manic Caligula, believing himself to be a God and eventually being killed at the hands of his own guards. The revenge scene against the Gladiators is Great! Demetrius grabs a sword and kills them one by one in the arena as his opponents are forced to face him under the whip of Ernest Borgnine and the hot-smoking poker of Demetrius's friend. "These aren't the rules" says a gladiator full of fear at Demetrius's blood lust for their deaths. "We're changing the rules!!! replies Borgnine as he chases the rest of them out to die. WOW! One of the better Gladiator movies since Spartacus and although Crowe's Gladiator is excellent and funny in spots, this movie from the 50's is a classic rendering with bad guys you love to hate! Well recommended, but make sure you see "The Robe" first to know what is going on.

Average customer rating:

Demetrius & The Gladiators
Starring: Victor Mature , and Susan Hayward
Manufacturer: Fox Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000A2WAQA
Release Date: 2007-10-16

Description

Rome, soon after the death of Christ. The depraved and mad Caligula is on the throne, obsessed with two things: the Robe, the garment that fell from Jesus' shoulders on the cross, and brutal gladiatorial displays. Victor Mature is the devout Christian entrusted with the Robe by Peter (Michael Rennie). But he turns his back on God, enters the arena, and becomes the most famous gladiator in Rome. Sharing the bed of the powerful and diabolical Messalina (Susan Hayward), he may even betray the Robe - and any hope he has for redemption!

Average customer rating:

don't buy it
One of the Best Bibically-Based Films
A film that surmounted the acidic test of time!
An exciting epic sequel, fashioned according to the manner of Hollywood in the '50s
Robe Sequel drawn from "The Big Fisherman" Lloyd C. Douglas Novel

Demetrius and the Gladiators [Region 2]
Starring: Victor Mature , Susan Hayward , Michael Rennie , Debra Paget , and Anne Bancroft
Director: Delmer Daves
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00005UWMU

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Customer Reviews:

don't buy it.......2007-05-13

One of the Best Bibically-Based Films.......2007-04-10

A film that surmounted the acidic test of time!.......2007-04-10

An exciting epic sequel, fashioned according to the manner of Hollywood in the '50s.......2007-03-12

Robe Sequel drawn from "The Big Fisherman" Lloyd C. Douglas Novel.......2007-02-15

The Robe / Demetrius and the Gladiators (2 Pack)

Average customer rating:

The Robe / Demetrius and the Gladiators (2 Pack)
Director: Henry Koster , and Delmer Daves
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video
Product Features:

Widescreen
Language: English
2 Disc Set

ASIN: B000OUZCTA

Product Description

The Robe: The first movie ever filmed in CinemaScope, The Robe was nominated for 5 Academy Awards in 1953, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Richard Burton. Burton stars as Marcellus Gallio, the Roman centurian charged with overseeing the crucifixion. But when he wins Christ's robe in a gambling game at the foot of the cross, his life is forever changed. It's inspired story is set to a spectacular score, and featuring an all-star cast, including Victor Mature and Jean Simmons, The Robe remains one the screen's greatest biblical epics. / Demetrius and the Gladiators: Rome, soon after the death of Christ. The depraved and mad Caliguila is on the throne, obsessed with two things: the Robe, the garment that fell from Jesus shoulders on the cross, and a brutal gladiatorial displays. Victor Mature is the devout Christian entrusted with the Robe by Peter (Michael Rennie). But he turns his back on God, enters the arena, and becomes the most famous gladiator in Rome. Sharing the bed of the powerful and diabolical Messalina (Susan Hayward), he may even betray the Robe and any hope he has for redemption!

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