A thing should be what it is, and "The Slave" fulfills all the requirements of a sword and sandal movie. There are, of course, plenty of fighting and beautiful girls in settings worthy of the big screen. You couldn't want more lavish costumes (or more revealing of female--and male--pulchritude). So, a lot of fun!
When you remember what was going on in America in 1962, however, the film goes from gladiator movie to political allegory. A story about the son of the slave Spartacus trying to free slaves from an empire divided between the honorable military man Caesar and the "crass" and Greedy Crassus, who cares about nothing but gold, is a version of America. If the great Julius Caesar can show mercy to freed slaves, then so can the American Caesar. And as the son of Spartacus returns his sword to its spot at the grave of his crucified father, we are told it lies there only to be taken up to fight slavery anywhere. There is your heroic lesson, America!
Of course, you might argue that this is rather simplistic, and it is, but allegory is often simplistic because it has to be to get its message across. And when you consider its original audience (I first saw it in 1962 when I was 9), simplicity is a pretty good strategy.
So, The Slave deserves credit for working on two levels--escapist fantasy and political commentary. It was rather progressive for its time, I'd say. 55 years later, we could use another such movie in this summer of Trump. Until we get it, I suggest you check out The Slave.
When you remember what was going on in America in 1962, however, the film goes from gladiator movie to political allegory. A story about the son of the slave Spartacus trying to free slaves from an empire divided between the honorable military man Caesar and the "crass" and Greedy Crassus, who cares about nothing but gold, is a version of America. If the great Julius Caesar can show mercy to freed slaves, then so can the American Caesar. And as the son of Spartacus returns his sword to its spot at the grave of his crucified father, we are told it lies there only to be taken up to fight slavery anywhere. There is your heroic lesson, America!
Of course, you might argue that this is rather simplistic, and it is, but allegory is often simplistic because it has to be to get its message across. And when you consider its original audience (I first saw it in 1962 when I was 9), simplicity is a pretty good strategy.
So, The Slave deserves credit for working on two levels--escapist fantasy and political commentary. It was rather progressive for its time, I'd say. 55 years later, we could use another such movie in this summer of Trump. Until we get it, I suggest you check out The Slave.