Demetrius And The Gladiators Details

In this sequel to The Robe, beefcake Victor Mature — the custodian of Christ's bloodstained piece of homespun — tries to keep it from falling into the clutches of Caligula, while hoping he will not fall prey to the many and various pleasures of the flesh that Rome offers. Forced to become a gladiator, Mature's antics in the arena arouse the passion of Messalina (Susan Hayward), the wife of limping, stuttering Claudius, and antagonise Caligula, played by the scene-stealing and deliriously camp Jay Robinson. The result is a juicy excursion into ancient Rome which thankfully lacks the oppressive religiosity of the first film.

Lively, efficient sequel to The Robe, with emphasis less on religiosity than on the brutality of the arena and our hero's sexual temptations and near-escapes. Good Hollywood hokum.