Title: Gladiators 7 Year: 1962 Director: Pedro Lazaga Production Companies: Atenea Films, Columbus, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Runtime: 105 minutes (Italy), 92 minutes (U.S.) Countries: Italy, Spain Language: Italian (dubbed in English for international release) Format: Color, 2.35:1 aspect ratio, mono sound Genres: Historical Adventure, Peplum (Sword-and-Sandal), Action --- Synopsis: Set in ancient times, Gladiators 7 follows Darius, the son of a Spartan nobleman, who is framed for the escape of five gladiators and sentenced to fight in the Roman Colosseum. After surviving the arena, he returns to Sparta to find his father murdered and his beloved betrothed to a usurper. Determined to reclaim his rightful place, Darius reunites with six fellow gladiators to challenge the tyrant and restore justice to his homeland. --- Cast: Richard Harrison as Darius Loredana Nusciak as Aglaia Livio Lorenzon as Panurgus Gérard Tichy as Hiarba Edoardo Toniolo as Milon José Marco as Xeno Barta Barri as Flaccus Nazzareno Zamperla as Vargas (credited as Tony Zamperla) Franca Badeschi as Licia Enrique Ávila as Livius Antonio Molino Rojo as Macrobius Antonio Rubio as Mados Emilia Wolkowicz as Ismere --- Production Notes: Gladiators 7 was directed by Pedro Lazaga and produced by Anacleto Fontini and Italo Zingarelli. The screenplay was crafted by Sandro Continenza, Bruno Corbucci, Alberto De Martino, and Giovanni Grimaldi, based on a story by Alberto De Martino and Italo Zingarelli. The film's cinematography was handled by Bitto Albertini and Eloy Mella, with editing by Otello Colangeli. The film was partially shot on locations previously used for El Cid, adding authenticity to its historical setting. --- Legacy: While Gladiators 7 may not have achieved the same level of acclaim as some of its contemporaries, it remains a notable entry in the peplum genre. The film's blend of action, drama, and historical adventure offers a glimpse into the cinematic trends of the early 1960s, particularly the fascination with ancient Rome and heroic narratives. --- Trivia: The film draws inspiration from Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai, adapting the concept to a Roman setting. Richard Harrison, known for his roles in sword-and-sandal films, delivers a compelling performance as the lead character, Darius. The movie was released in the United States on May 6, 1964, two years after its Italian debut. The film's music was composed by Marcello Giombini, contributing to its epic atmosphere. --- Curated Hashtags: #Gladiators7 #RichardHarrison #PedroLazaga #PeplumCinema #SwordAndSandal #ItalianCinema #1960sFilms #HistoricalAdventure #AncientRome #ClassicAction #CinemaHistory #EpicDrama #CultClassic