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Demetrius and the Gladiators

Demetrius and the Gladiators

Adventure · History · Drama · 1954

The story picks up at the point where "The Robe" ends, following the martyrdom of Diana and Marcellus. Christ's robe is conveyed to Peter for safe-keeping, but the emperor Caligula wants it back to benefit from its powers. Marcellus' former slave Demetrius seeks to prevent this, and catches the eye of Messalina, wife to Caligula's uncle Claudius. Messalina tempts Demetrius, he winds up fighting in the arena, and wavers in his faith.

Movie details

Demetrius and the Gladiators

“It begins where "The Robe" left off!”

1954 Adventure · History · Drama 1h 41m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.5 / 10

Community rating

The story picks up at the point where "The Robe" ends, following the martyrdom of Diana and Marcellus. Christ's robe is conveyed to Peter for safe-keeping, but the emperor Caligula wants it back to benefit from its powers. Marcellus' former slave Demetrius seeks to prevent this, and catches the eye of Messalina, wife to Caligula's uncle Claudius. Messalina tempts Demetrius, he winds up fighting in the arena, and wavers in his faith.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Demetrius and the Gladiators?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Delmer Daves

Written by

Philip Dunne

Victor Mature

Victor Mature

Demetrius

Susan Hayward

Susan Hayward

Messalina

Michael Rennie

Michael Rennie

Peter

Debra Paget

Debra Paget

Lucia

Anne Bancroft

Anne Bancroft

Paula

Jay Robinson

Jay Robinson

Caligula

Ernest Borgnine

Ernest Borgnine

Strabo

Court is in session

Put Demetrius and the Gladiators on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.