Orazi e curiazi (1961)

User Rating:

4.4/10   

Directors:

Ferdinando Baldi
Terence Young

Writers:

Ennio De Concini (screenplay)
Carlo Lizzani (screenplay)

Release Date:

19 October 1961 (Italy)

Genre:

Action | Drama | History

Plot:

A duel takes place in order to put an end to the long and bloody war between the Romans and the Albans...

Plot Keywords:

Roman | Brothers | Duel | Alban | King

Cast

Alan Ladd	...	Horatio
Franca Bettoia	...	Marcia (as Franca Bettoja)
Franco Fabrizi	...	Curazio
Robert Keith	...	Tullio Hostilio - King of Rome
Jacqueline Derval	...	Horatia
Luciano Marin	...	Eli
Andrea Aureli	...	King of Alba (as Andrea Aurel)
Mino Doro	...	Caius
Osvaldo Ruggieri	...	Warrior of Alba
Piero Palermini	...	Nevio (as Pietro Palmerini)
Violette Marceau	...	Slave
Umberto Raho	...	Grand Priest
Alfredo Varelli	...	Sabinus
Evi Marandi	...	Slave
Alana Ladd	...	Scilla

Also Known As:

Duel of Champions (USA)
Horatio (UK)

Runtime:

Germany:85 min | Italy:90 min | USA:105 min | West Germany:88 min

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

West Germany:12 (nf)

Filming Locations:

Centralni Filmski Studio Kosutnjak, Belgrade, Serbia

Company:

Lovcen Film

OK movie creates sense of sadness

The story of this movie has been described here by others and suffice it to say I found the movie to be very average. I think the really memorable aspect was the chance to see Alan Ladd and Robert Keith at the end of their careers. Alan Ladd would go on to make two other movies before his untimely death at 50. Unfortunately, from this movie, it is clear that his personal and professional lives were in decline at this time. He appears sluggish and bloated with only the infrequent flashing of a smile to remind viewers of past glories. Although he plays a general his performance doesn't really command the screen. If you want to see him, in his later movies, I would suggest you pass this up and settle for his final role, in the Carpetbaggers, which shows much more bite. Secondly, this represented the final film in the long career of actor Robert Keith (here playing the King of Rome). Although, by modern standards, a relatively young man (63) when this movie was made, it would be his last before his death five years later. He appears very frail but conveys a strong sense of dignity and maintains a masterful diction. Perhaps, given the combination, a suitable finale for a character lead.