La Rivolta Degli Schiavi (aka The Revolt Of The Slaves) (1961)

The patrician daughter (Rhonda Fleming) from a wealthy Roman family discovers her cousin (Wandisa Guida) is a Christian. Her attempts to help her backfire and the Emperor (Dario Moreno) has her father killed and her property confiscated. In the 1960s, many middle level "stars" went to Europe and worked in peplum and spaghetti westerns. This was Fleming's turn at driving a chariot. It's not nearly as much fun as most sword and sandal adventures as it's rather pious. Indeed, the film should really be titled THE REVOLT OF THE CHRISTIANS. It's the kind of film where a heavenly chorus (in this case, courtesy of Angelo Francesco Lavagnino) starts playing whenever Christ is mentioned. Too much piety and not enough decadence. It needed a De Mille to give it a shot in the arm. There are several nice touches including a scene where the movie's villain is killed by his own attack dogs and the film has a rich look to it rather than a low budget gloss. Directed by Nunzio Malasomma. With Lang Jeffries, Fernando Rey, Serge Gainsbourg, Ettore Manni, Vanoye Aikens and Dolores Francine.