In ancient Italy as Roman soldiers swagger through the streets of the city of Antigonea amidst a conflict. The town is under occupation, with its citizens forced to pay a heavy ransom for the release of prisoners taken by the Romans. The rebellious Antigoneans Brenno and Goruk decide to fight back, but are unsuccessful. Goruk is the brother of the beautiful Fabiola, who in turn is betrothed to Brenno. Silla, the diabolical Roman tribune who has been placed in charge of Antigonea, is attracted to Fabiola. In order to spare her people further anguish, she agrees to live with Silla. Meanwhile, Silla sends Brenno to gladiator school so that he might hone his already impressive fighting skills and stage exhibitions for Sillas amusement. However, Brenno has other ideas on how to deal with the tyrannical Silla and free his fellow Antigoneans.
"Alone Against Rome" describes the fight and rebellion of a fictional Alesia, which is actually located in today's Burgundy and where Caesar defeated Vercingetorix the century before. Despite the lack of historical basis, which is only claimed, this peplum is unusually dark, hard edged and gives the viewer the feeling of longing for freedom and revolution, especially with the Roman Tribune -Silla - running things unfairly, demanding gold, holding hostages and sending Brenna -Lang Jeffries - to the gladiator ring and keeping his girlfriend in his household, and even forcing her to submit to him or Brenna will die. The consul Suetonius wants a peaceful occupation, but when he leaves town, his underling, the tribune Silla, rules with an iron hand. Philippe Leroy plays the character in a complex manner and eschews the pencil twirling villain approach, making him more human yet devoid of compassion, well not when it comes to Rossana Podestà, who plays Brenna's girlfriend- Lang Jeffries does well as Brenna and fights well. Speaking of which, the gladiatorial fights are gritty, well done and isn't mere two people playing patty cake patty cake with swords. It's hard-edged. The narrative is lean, the pace brisk and the plot is well-constructed. It's as good as the bigger budgeted peplums of Hollywood. The prison break scene, travelling through the catacombs, not knowing where the Romans are waiting is quite tense. And also the finale with Brenna getting attacked by the two chariots with spears sticking out of its spokes is quite exciting.
"Alone Against Rome" describes the fight and rebellion of a fictional Alesia, which is actually located in today's Burgundy and where Caesar defeated Vercingetorix the century before. Despite the lack of historical basis, which is only claimed, this peplum is unusually dark, hard edged and gives the viewer the feeling of longing for freedom and revolution, especially with the Roman Tribune -Silla - running things unfairly, demanding gold, holding hostages and sending Brenna -Lang Jeffries - to the gladiator ring and keeping his girlfriend in his household, and even forcing her to submit to him or Brenna will die. The consul Suetonius wants a peaceful occupation, but when he leaves town, his underling, the tribune Silla, rules with an iron hand. Philippe Leroy plays the character in a complex manner and eschews the pencil twirling villain approach, making him more human yet devoid of compassion, well not when it comes to Rossana Podestà, who plays Brenna's girlfriend- Lang Jeffries does well as Brenna and fights well. Speaking of which, the gladiatorial fights are gritty, well done and isn't mere two people playing patty cake patty cake with swords. It's hard-edged. The narrative is lean, the pace brisk and the plot is well-constructed. It's as good as the bigger budgeted peplums of Hollywood. The prison break scene, travelling through the catacombs, not knowing where the Romans are waiting is quite tense. And also the finale with Brenna getting attacked by the two chariots with spears sticking out of its spokes is quite exciting.