Trailer

The Arena (1974)

R   |    |  Action, Adventure

The Arena (1974) Poster

In ancient Rome audiences have grown tired of viewing gladiators fight to the death. Something new is needed--women. (Josiah Howard, "Blaxploitation cinema: The Essential Reference Guide.")

5.3/10
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  • Pam Grier and Margaret Markov in The Arena (1974)
  • Margaret Markov in The Arena (1974)
  • Vassili Karis and Margaret Markov in The Arena (1974)
  • Jann Fox and Paul Muller in The Arena (1974)
  • Lucretia Love in The Arena (1974)
  • Pam Grier and Marie Louise Sinclair in The Arena (1974)

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Cast & Crew

Top Billed Cast

Director:

Steve Carver

Writers:

John William Corrington, Joyce Hooper Corrington
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Reviews & Commentary

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User Reviews
24 August 2008 | dgg32
8
| Best of this genre
I still remember, how excited I got when I first saw this film in VCD back to the 1990s. It was just a wonderful surprise to have rented a film so entertaining and provoking.

If you try stubbornly to take this film with the 21st production for its acting, or video definition and so fort. I have to say, you are just making yourself unnecessarily unhappy. True, the actresses hadn't gone that far in some sections, for the film is neither the porno nor the violence type. So save your hard criticism.

The plot was really a good one. Pace is tight, hasn't let you have time leave to have a break. The idea is also amazing, letting the women slaves fight each other. The happy ending satisfies me, for I can't digest so many and so often tragedies.

Markov is a very beautiful and elegant actress. This blond gladiator really hold the entire movie interesting. Can't image how the film were going to look like without this gorgeous female.

Critic Reviews

Did You Know?

Trivia

Whereas Steve Carver is credited as the director in the American version of the film, the Italian version omits Carver and names "Michael Wotruba" as director instead. Michael Wotruba was a pseudonym then used by Joe D'Amato. D'Amato is credited in both versions as cinematographer under his birth name Aristide Massaccesi. In an interview, D'Amato said the Italian producer Franco Gaudenzi did not trust Carver, who was sent by Roger Corman, and sent D'Amato to take care of the cinematography and help Carver if needed. According to D'Amato, Carver ended up directing the scenes with dialogues whereas he himself took care of the fight sequences in the arena.

Quotes

Mamawi: The Romans have taught you to live like an animal!

Alternate Versions

Shout Factory's DVD of this film was missing two scenes, so they had to patch them in from a full frame video source.

Storyline

Plot Summary

Synopsis (WARNING: Spoilers)

Genres

Action | Adventure

Details

Release Date:

January 1974

Language

Italian, English

Country of Origin

Italy, USA

Filming Locations

Rome, Lazio, Italy

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