The king Tarquinio is banished from Roma . Mucio Scevola (Gordon Scott) married to Clelia goes to Porsena's headquarter and demonstrates his courage by burning himself a hand , for that reason is named Scevola (the left-handed) . Tarquinio (Massimo Serato) unites to Lars Porsena (Roldano Lupi) , king of Etruscos . They ask to Romans as hostages a group of young women (Gabriella Pallota , Maria Pia Conte). But Aronte(Antonini) , Porsena's son , enamored to Valena (Pia Conte) frees her and she passes the river Tiber . Meantime , Scevola hides his hand into an iron glove and begins the fighting .
This is an enjoyable sword and sandals movie with historical backstage , action , a love story , battles and spectacular scenarios . Gordon Scott is top-notch , as the historic hero who finds many dangerous situations while attempting to save Rome and his true love , Clelia , of several risks . Strong and robust Gordon Scott was a magnificent muscle-man . He was one along with Ed Fury , Brad Harris , Kirk Morris , Reg Park , Mark Forest , among others , whom to seek fame and fortune acting absurdly as muscle mythological figures , but anybody topped Steve Reeves and Gordon Scott in popularity . He played another historical character : ¨Coroliano , hero without country¨ with battle stock shots taken from this one and directed again by Giorgo Ferroni , a Peplum expert (Conquest of Micenas , Trojan war) . The motion picture is based on true events but has not prospect historical . The real deeds are the following : Tarquino(534-509, B.C.) was the seventh and last king of Roma and he governs tyrannically . The rape of Lucrecia by his son caused a riot and he was overthrown , the Roman Republic was proclaimed and he actually disappeared . Rating : Better than average Peplum fodder and better than most Sword and Sandals movies , thanks to Gordon Scott and slick direction by Giorgo Ferroni .
