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DEMETRIUS AND THE GLADIATORS in 35mm70th Anniversary
Before GLADIATOR and even SPARTACUS, Delmer Daves (A SUMMER PLACE, 3:10 TO YUMA) cast a mold for the gladiator epic with his sequel to THE ROBE, the 1953 biblical saga that was also Hollywood's first CinemaScope release. Well into production before its prequel had even been released, DEMETRIUS AND THE GLADIATORS niftily cashed in on the success of its predecessor and on the sensation caused by CinemaScope, going on to become one of the highest-grossing films of 1954. Picking up where THE ROBE ends, as ill-fated Christian martyrs Marcellus (Richard Burton) and Diana (Jean Simmons) meet their fate at the hands of Emperor Caligula (Jay Robinson), Daves' take on the material follows the fate of Christ's Holy Robe as it finds its way into the hands of freed slave Demetrius (Victor Mature, reprising his role). A recent convert to Christianity, Demetrius refuses to give up the robe's whereabouts to Caligula, who will stop at nothing to find the sacred relic. After a scuffle with one of the emperor's centurions, Demetrius is forced by Caligula to train as a gladiator and soon attracts the attention of Messalina (Susan Hayward), the beautiful, duplicitous wife of Claudius (Barry Jones), the man in line to succeed Caligula. Demetrius' newfound faith is put to the test by Messalina's advances, Caligula's madness and the men who challenge him in the arena. In addition to stellar turns by Mature and Hayward, watch for future Oscar® winners Ernest Borgnine (MARTY) and Anne Bancroft (THE MIRACLE WORKER), future Catwoman Julie Newmar and a pre-BLACULA William Marshall.
NOT RATED
35mm print courtesy of the George Eastman Museum, lent by an anonymous collector.
INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS also screens on April (no intro/signing)
The Fabulous 50s series runs from Feb. 2—May 2. For the full schedule visit: http://tinyurl.com/Fabulous50sAFI
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, 8633 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3916, United States,Silver Spring, Maryland
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