The Terror of Rome Against the Son of Hercules (1964)
[+]
(Foreign Titles)
Nomination Year: 2010
SYNOPSIS: The Son of Hercules? A complete invention by whoever came up with the original title. The original Italian title translates as "Maciste (Ma-chi-stay), Gladiator of Rome," and has the additional virtue of actually being related to the film. Maciste is Rome's greatest gladiator, which makes him something akin to a modern sports star in terms of wealth, fame, popularity, and not being a slave (what would a bunch of Italians know about Roman history, anyway?). He has a great life, the favor of the emperor, and a beautiful mistress. But, one day, as he's riding to visit his mistress, he sees a peasant woman being chased by Praetorian Guards. He rescues her and instantly falls in love, only to discover that she's a Christian and subject to persecution and arrest. Many hijinks result as Maciste must maintain the illusion of his old life, while secretly (and repeatedly) breaking the Christians out of jail and helping them escape to Iberia, where they'll be safe.
Greg Pearson