Demetrius and the Gladiators (1954)

49% of users liked it
(4,580 ratings)

Demetrius and the Gladiators was the sequel to The Robe, and though they were released several months apart, the films were shot at the same time. Based on characters originally conceived by Lloyd C. Douglas, the film stars Victor Mature as the title character, an ex-slave who embraced Christianity… More Demetrius and the Gladiators was the sequel to The Robe, and though they were released several months apart, the films were shot at the same time. Based on characters originally conceived by Lloyd C. Douglas, the film stars Victor Mature as the title character, an ex-slave who embraced Christianity after being present at the Crucifixion. Thrown in jail for defending an elderly merchant from a sadistic Roman legionnaire, Demetrius is forced to attend gladiator school and fight in the arena for the amusement of the mad, debauched emperor Caligula (Jay Robinson, likewise repeating his performance in The Robe). The well-proportioned Demetrius attracts the attention of Messalina (Susan Hayward), the nymphomaniac wife of Caligula's would-be successor Claudius (Barry Jones). Briefly losing faith in Christ, Demetrius is saved from himself by the apostle Peter (Michael Rennie). Because of contractual complications, Demetrius and the Gladiators was released to television seven years before The Robe. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 41 min.
Directed By: Delmer Daves
Written By: Philip Dunne
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics

In Theaters: Jun 18, 1954 Wide
On DVD: Feb 27, 2001

Critic Reviews

Scott Weinberg, Apollo Guide
Old-time gladiator epic, and all the sweatiness that implies.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Daniel P

I'm more or less sure that I saw this, and I'm more or less sure that I wouldn't again.

Cast

            Victor Mature as Demetrius

            Susan Hayward as Messalina

            Michael Rennie as Peter

            Debra Paget as Lucia

            Anne Bancroft as Paula

            Jay Robinson as Caligula

            Barry Jones as Claudius

            Richard Egan as Dardanius

            Ernest Borgnine as Strabo

            Charles Evans as Cassius Chaerea

            Everett Glass as Kaeso

            Jeff York as Albus

            Carmen De Lavallade as Slave girl

            John Cliff as Varus

            Barbara James as Specialty Dancer

            Selmar Jackson as Senator

            Fred Graham as Decurion

            Dayton Lummis as Magistrate

            Harry Cording
            
            Karl (Killer) Davis as Macro

            George Eldredge as Chamberlain

            Jack Finlay
            
            William Forrest
            
            Paul Kruger as Courtier

            Peter Mamakos
            
            Shepard Menken
            
            Paul Newlan as Potter

            Gil Perkins
            
            Jean Simmons as In Clip from "The Robe"

            Ray Spiker
            
            Woody Strode as Gladiator

            Richard Burton as In Clip from "The Robe"

            Paul Stader
            
            William Marshall as Glydon

            Dick Sands
            
            George Bruggeman
            
            Allen Kramer as Clerk

            Paul Richards as Prisoner
See full cast