Demetrius and the Gladiators (1954) (1954)

"Demetrius and the Gladiators", is often relegated to the shadows of its illustrious and far better known parent "The Robe",which was the first lavish effort in Cinemascope. This sequel takes up where the original story ends and uses some of the same cast and many of the original films sets in it's continuation of the saga dealing with the search for Christ's robe. In many ways however is a much more enjoyable and lively effort and focusing on life at the Roman Court features some of the most stunning gladiator scenes ever included in a film. Based on characters drawn from the biblical novel "The Robe", by Llyod C. Douglas this effort focuses on the freed Greek slave Demetrius (Victor Mature), and his ongoing battle between his Christian beliefs and the lure of a decadent Rome under the mad emperor Caligula (Jay Robinson). While the original movie was a very respectful effort centred around Christ's crucifixion "Demetrius and the Gladiators", focuses more on the viciousness of Imperial Rome and the bloody sport of Gladiator combat where innocent men fought to the death for the Roman mob's amusement. For its amazingly accurate depiction of the "sport", of gladiator combat it far surpasses more recent efforts in showing the training, equipment, and life of Gladiators in Imperial Rome. Blessed with some memorable performances, in particular Jay Robinson's amazingly wild performance as the deranged Caligula this film captures beautifully all that was unique about this period in Rome's history while still including the conventional love story element.

After the executions of the earlier heroes Marcellus and Diana at the hands of Caligula Demetrius is entrusted with Christ's sacred robe which the Romans believe works miracles. The insane Caligula meanwhile has had himself declared a living God and strikes terror into everyone including his uncle Claudius (Barry Jones), and his much younger seductive wife Messalina (Susan Hayward). Caligula orders an immediate search for the robe which is still in Rome and when the house where Demetrius is staying is searched the simple peasant girl Lucia (Debra Paget), is attacked by the soldiers trying to conceal the robes whereabouts. When Demetrius comes to her aid he is arrested and sentenced to train as a gladiator in one of the Imperial schools run by Claudius. Refusing to fight because of his christian beliefs Demetrius becomes an unwelcome focus of interest for the dangerous and deadly Messalina who uses people fo rhe rown amusement. When Lucia attempts to visit Demetrius at the school prior to his debut in the arena she is molested by another gladiator Dardanius (Richard Egan)and suffers a crippling shock. Disillusioned by the cruelty of the men and the lack of a sign that his christian beliefs tell him will come to those who are decent Demetrius forsakes his religion and becomes the most successful fighter in Rome. Breaking with the christians Demetrius becomes the lover of Messalina. Sent by Caligula to retrieve the robe Demetrius comes into conflict with Peter (Michael Rennie)who reminds him of how he has abandoned Jesus's teaching and given himself over to the immoral values of Caligula's court. He nevertheless gives Christ's Robe to Demetrius who passes it onto Caligula who in a deranged moment kills a prisoner and tries to raise him from the dead. When he fails Demetrius is sent back to the arena as a gladiator again. Caligula now sets out to deliberately destroy Demetrius in the arena however he doesn't take into account his own changing popularity with the all powerful Praetorian Guard who fed up with his threats against them oppose his plan to remove Demetrius and murder Caligula in the arena. The placid Claudius is nominated as the new Emperor and in his first speech gives christians the right to worship as they see fit. The conclusion sees Demetrius reunited with Peter who leave together to begin a new life as practising christians spreading the word of the teachings of Jesus free of Caesar's tyranny.

"Demetrius and the Gladiators", exemplifies all that is typical of these lavish 1950's epics. Beautiful colour photography, a rousing musical score courtesy of Franz Waxman, lavish sets and opulent eye filling costumes and extensive historical research into all matters related to gladiators all combine to make this film a sumptous viewing experience. The talent on display here is perhaps even more extensive than that in "The Robe". Victor Mature as the questioning and very human Demetrius had one of his best roles here and once again displays his ideal suitability for these epic type of productions. Susan Hayward, an extremely talented dramatic actress perhaps at times appears too modern for the role of the seductive Messalina but she very capably makes the most of her scenes in playing one of Ancient Rome's most infamous ladies. Jay Robinson of course towers over this whole production with his larger than life portrayal of the insane Caligula and captures very well the deadly and depraved mind that the emperor according to historical sources possessed. The supporting players are first rate with Michael Rennie repeating his pivotal role of the calm and assured Peter from "The Robe", Barry Jones making good work of what could have been the potentially uninteresting character of Claudius, and especially William Marshall who really excels in his part as Glycon, the African gladiator who is converted to christianity and provides Demetrius with a focus and a conscience. The recreation of the deadly Roman sports in the arena in "Demetrius and the Gladiators", are first rate and really keep the action moving. So well staged are they that at times it really looks like Victor Mature is actually fighting with real tigers during the famous scene here he confronts a group of them in the arena.

Being a real fan of the biblical epics of the 50's I feel that this film gets over its sincere message while still providing first class rousing entertainemnt of the old school of filmmaking. Often dismissed as "hokey", or "camp" mainly because of the performance of Jay Robinson, "Demetrius and the Gladiators", perhaps has those elements present but it also offers far more and is one of the most elaborate of these types of films. Intrigue, romance, tragedy, and danger are all combined in an eye filling package that is sure to win over all lovers of Roman history and of epic biblical productions in particular. Enjoy!

Demetrius and the Gladiators is an enjoyable film (see other reviewers for details) but the film quality on the DVD sucks! No effort was made to restore the film and it shows in it's very fuzzy quality. What a shame, and a ripoff to the consumer. No extras either.

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I love this corny old movie(and it rates 4 stars). I love it for being a sequel to "The Robe", I love it for Victor Mature's hammy Demetrius (and he was so restrained in the same role in "The Robe"), I love it for Susan Hayward's traditional portrayal of an amoral temptress (something she did wonderfully well), I love it for Jay Robinson's way over-the-top(-and-over-the-rainbow) Caligula, I love it for its use of CinemaScope and I love it for Franz Waxman's music score.

This DVD looks great, but the first time I viewed it, years ago, I couldn't watch it all the way through because I wanted to HEAR it. I wrote on these pages that to hear this film presentation I had to crank the volume way, way up....to the point where I had to endure hiss along with dialogue and special effects.

The fact of the matter is, I was taking the word of the folks who sold me my receiver, DVD player and surround speakers that the optical hookups converted audio signals for both DTS and 5.1CH. And the 5.1, for years, was a very undesirable sound for me -and I couldn't understand why folks liked it.

Now I know why. My receiver does not convert to 5.1 via the optical cables. (And that's why both the receiver and DVD have separate input panels for 5.1CH hookups).

Now that the hookups are completed, I have to say the sound on this DVD is A-W-E-S-O-M-E for a 1954 4-track stereo film.

I apologize to Fox Video for criticizing the sound quality. I'd have loved for there to have been more bonus features on this, but the film is splendid on its own.

The packaging remains lacking, IMO. The film is vivid and colorful and the DVD cover is drab.

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The sequel "Demetrius and the Gladiators" was put into production before the first-ever Cinemascope spectacular, "The Robe," was even released. At 100 minutes, the film is about a half-hour shorter than its statelier and more "reverent" predecessor, finding Victor Mature's Demetrius sparring with the crazed Emperor Caligula (an over the top, and highly amusing, Jay Robinson) who's still trying to track down the elusive robe, and the temptations of the sensuous, Isis-worshipping Messalina (top-billed Susan Hayward), wife of Caligula's decidedly less flamboyant uncle Cladius (Barry Jones). Soon Demetrius finds himself falling back on his pre-Christian lifestyle, telling Messalina that they don't need any God and going against his non-violent stance by battling in the gladiator's arena after a young Christian woman (Debra Paget) is attacked in front of him.

With Cinemascope splendor, action, sex, a wide range of performances (including early turns from Ernest Borgnine, future "Blacula" William Marshall and Anne Bancroft), and a regal Franz Waxman score (incorporating some of Alfred Newman's themes from "The Robe"), "Demetrius and the Gladiators" reworks the more satisfying elements of its predecessor while being, if anything, livelier. Michael Rennie was one of several "Robe" veterans including writer Philip Dunne who returned to reprise their roles in "Demetrius," yet this picture also owes a debt to director Delmer Davies, whose pacing results in an exciting widescreen epic from Fox's Golden Age that's ultimately more fun than the film that preceded it.

Twilight Time's Blu-Ray houses a 1080p AVC encoded transfer from the best-available elements that exist in the Fox vaults. Certain online pundits have complained about the movie's appearance, yet there are no faults to be found in the transfer. The obviously-aged elements, however, are nowhere near the pristine condition that "The Robe" was in, so viewers anticipating that kind of HD clarity will be disappointed. That being said, the film is still an appreciable upgrade in every way over its DVD counterpart, and Blu-Ray owners with larger screens will see an immediate, and obvious, enhancement in the presentation. The movie's four-channel stereo sound, meanwhile, is in more robust condition thanks to a DTS MA track (also isolated) that does wonders for Waxman's scoring. The original trailer and Julie Kirgo's insightful notes, which chronicle the film's unusual production, complete a package that any fan of the picture is urged to pick up.

Want Demetrius and the Gladiators (1954) (1954) Discount?

Victor Mature makes a better gladiator than Russell Crowe in this sequal to "the Robe."

Join Demetrius in his journey as he battles gladiators, tigers, Caligula, and most dangerous his feelings for the wiley and seductive Susan Haywood. What makes this movie so entertaining is the moral dilemma he faces, and his fall and redemption. This is a real man facing real temptations in an immoral world, much like we are in today.

Jay Robinson makes a welcome return as the emperor Caligula, chewing up the scenary with his wonderful performance.

This is like gladiator with heart.