Copyright 31 December 1962 by Titanus-Arta Cinematografica. Released through Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. New York opening at neighborhood cinemas on a double bill with "It Happened at the World's Fair": 29 May 1963. U.S. release: 29 May 1963. U.K. release: 29 December 1963. Australian release: 22 August 1963. 9,180 feet. 102 minutes. Original Italian title: Il FIGLIO DI SPARTACUS. U.S. release title: The SLAVE.

SYNOPSIS: In 48 B.C., Julius Caesar sends a young centurion named Randus to investigate the rule of the corrupt Grassus in the province of Lydia. En route by sea, Randus' ship runs aground and he is captured by a band of slave drivers. But he leads a revolt and the slaves defeat and destroy their captors. By means of an amulet he wears, Randus is then identified as the son of Spartacus, the gladiator-slave who was crucified twenty years earlier for warring against Rome. Arriving in Lydia, Randus is met by Grassus, his wily mistress Clodia, and her warrior brother Vezio. Outwardly pretending friendship, Randus secretly carries on his father's work by leading the enslaved Lydians in a revolt.

NOTES: Released in Italy in 1962 in a 110-minute version. The version released by M-G-M in America, England and Australia was of course English-dubbed.

COMMENT: Most of the sword-and-sandal epics released in such profusion in the 1960s were instantly forgettable exploitation, drive-in fare. "The Son of Spartacus", though obviously designed to cash in on the success of the Kirk Douglas hit, was a surprising exception which unexpectedly offered audiences really outstanding entertainment. A large part of "Spartacus" it will be remembered was taken up with gladiatorial combat. Unlike "Barabbas", "Son of Spartacus" does not make the mistake of showing audiences these scenes all over again. Instead, Andriano Bolzoni's astonishingly literate script concentrates on Caesar's campaign against Grassus. These two are superbly brought to life by Ivo Garrani and Claudio Gora, respectively. As Grassus's lieutenant, Jacques Sernas acquits himself well, as does Gianna Maria Canale (as his sister),Ombretta Colli (the slave girl) and even Steve Reeves in the title role (a very pleasingly accented English voice is used for Mr. Reeves instead of the strident American tones employed for him in previous epics).

Corbucci's direction is quite interesting (I like his profile studies of Caesar and Clodia),while Franco Giraldi's 2nd unit work in the shadow of the Pyramids themselves is vigorously staged and most effective.

After the international success of HERCULES, the Steve Reeves Swords-and-Sandals vehicle THE SLAVE clearly had some money spent on its production values -- good costumes and some nice sets to accent good camera lighting abound. The plot, typical of peplum movies, is a mishmosh of themes intended to take advantage of recent hits.

Reeves is a Roman centurion working for the noble Julius Caesar in Rome. He is captured by leopard-skin wearing desert barbarians working for the evil Crassus, escapes, gets captured again, is enslaved, identified as Spartacus' son (hence the movie's Italian title) and leads a slave rebellion.

Director Sergio Corbucci does his usual highly competent job, abetted by the handsome production values that Cinecitta was capable of; kudos especially to director of Photography Enzo Baroni, whose lighting suggests illustrations on parchment. Although the writing never rises above the level of silliness that such cheap epics aspired to, fans of the genre will find plenty to enjoy.

Minus the beard and the voice that came from the large intestine., Steve Reeves is cast in this film as a Roman centurion and highly regarded aide to Julius Caesar. Yet because of an amulet he wears he's discovered to be the son of the legendary Spartacus.

It helps to understand the film if you've seen the Kirk Douglas classic Spartacus. If you remember the end the widow of Spartacus Jean Simmons is rushed out of Rome and out of the reach of Crassus. Presumably the kid had a good Roman upbringing and now has a career in the Roman Legion. He's come to the attention of Julius Caesar in a good way.

Which is why he's sent on a mission to Crassus who's guarding the Empire out in the East and getting richer and richer on plunder. This is where Steve Reeves discovers his real roots, kind of like the Charlton Heston as Moses discovered his roots in The Ten Commandments.

Reeves is all in sympathy with the people rebelling against Crassus and like in The Desert Song the Roman Centurion and establishment figure becomes a Red Shadow like leader. Good he could be ridding Julius Caesar of a rival figure in his quest for power, bad he is rebelling against Rome. What's a dictator to do?

Although The Slave blends elements of far better films in it, it's an all right piece of peplum product. Reeves has a decent speaking voice on his own for this film. And those pecs and abs are still outstanding.