There were three versions of the mythic founding of the city of Rome all released in 1961 or 1962, the other two being " Rape of the Sabines" with Roger Moore and "Duel of the Titans" with Steve Reeves and Gordon Scott. This one is the least known but not the least entertaining of the three. "Duel" is more dramatic, action-filled and boasts bigger names and budget with more ambitious plot and character. But this film has equally appealing actors Lex Johnson and Wolf Ruvinskis as the Romans so desperate to populate their city that they must trick the neighboring Sabine women into a visit and then promptly appropriate them against their wills in order to insure their chance at fathering progeny. The two leading women (Lorena and Teresa Velazquez) are defiant and there is some humorous byplay as the hunky Lex Johnson tries to win over his spitfire captive who is resolved on revolt. Ruvinksis as the king doesn't fare as well with his woman because he tries to persuade rather than bully her. The production values give this film a handsome look and the resolution in the end is satisfying. Altogether this version is superior to the Roger Moore film which unfortunately has a rather silly tone to it, perhaps unfairly due to the dubbing.
Review of The Rape of the Sabines
