Sheba and the Gladiator
| Sheba and the Gladiator | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Guido Brignone |
| Written by | Francesco Thellung Francesco De Feo Sergio Leone Giuseppe Mangione Guido Brignone |
| Starring | Anita Ekberg |
| Cinematography | Luciano Trasatti |
| Edited by | Nino Baragli |
| Music by | Angelo Francesco Lavagnino |
| Country | Italy |
| Language | Italian |
| Box office | $1.25 million (North America) |
Sheba and the Gladiator (Italian: Nel Segno di Roma) is a 1959 historical drama film loosely pertaining to the Palmyrene Empire and its re-annexation back into the Roman Empire. Notable only for its superlative performance by Swedish actress and model Anita Ekberg and her numerous costume changes throughout its duration.
This film was directed by Guido Brignone.
Cast
- Anita Ekberg as Zenobia
- Georges Marchal as Consul Marcus Valerius
- Folco Lulli as Zemanzius
- Chelo Alonso as Erica
- Gino Cervi as Aurelian
- Jacques Sernas as Julianus
- Lorella De Luca as Batsheba
- Alberto Farnese as Marcello
- Mimmo Palmara as Lator
US release
The movie was originally called The Sign of Rome. American International Pictures acquired the American rights to the film and retitled it Sign of the Gladiator despite their being no gladiators in the film. AIP cut 18 minutes from the original running time.[1] AIP released the film as a double feature with Goliath and the Barbarians.
The movie was popular in the US, earning $1.25 million in rentals,[2] and helped revitalise AIP.
AIP added an end title song called "Xenobia" sung by Bill Lee which was released on AIP Records.[3]
See also
References
- ^ Mark McGee, Faster and Furiouser: The Revised and Fattened Fable of American International Pictures, McFarland, 1996 p154
- ^ "Rental Potentials of 1960", Variety, 4 January 1961 p 47. Please note figures are rentals as opposed to total gross.
- ^ Gary A. Smith, American International Pictures: The Golden Era, Bear Manor Media p 117
External links
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