Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- melodramatic
- reverent
- vigorous
- classic movie night
- historical epic marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the sequel as a lavish, energetic, commercially effective sword-and-sandal spectacle with more action and sensuality than religious solemnity.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film foregrounds gladiatorial combat, lions, ancient Rome, and CinemaScope production scale.
Demetrius wavers in his Christian faith while serving as a gladiator and facing Caligula's regime.
Caligula seeks the robe's supposed power while his court is defined by abuse, sensual temptation, and arena violence.
The film returns in flashback to the martyrdom and events of The Robe as a moral reference point.
Films like Demetrius and the Gladiators, and why
The Robe
Shared sword-and-sandal spectacle, ancient Roman setting, melodramatic conflict, and studio-era epic scale.
Spartacus
Shared ancient Roman setting, gladiatorial arena action, historical melodrama, and widescreen spectacle.
Quo Vadis
Shared biblical-era historical drama, religious themes, heroic conflict, and classical Hollywood grandeur.
The Sign of the Cross
Shared Roman imperial decadence, sword-and-sandal action, and heightened historical spectacle.
Movie Details
- Director
- Delmer Daves
- Release Date
- 1954-06-16
- Runtime
- 101 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (95)
Cast
- Victor Mature
- Susan Hayward
- Michael Rennie
- Debra Paget
- Anne Bancroft
- Jay Robinson
- Ernest Borgnine
- Richard Egan
- Barry Jones
- Charles Evans
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Demetrius and the Gladiators about?
- A Christian slave confronts imperial temptation and arena violence while protecting a sacred relic from Caligula's ambitions.
- What is Demetrius and the Gladiators like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Demetrius and the Gladiators as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Demetrius and the Gladiators violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Demetrius and the Gladiators as moderate.
- What did critics think of Demetrius and the Gladiators?
- Critics broadly regarded the sequel as a lavish, energetic, commercially effective sword-and-sandal spectacle with more action and sensuality than religious solemnity.
- Which films are like Demetrius and the Gladiators?
- Films with a similar feel include The Robe, Spartacus, Quo Vadis, and The Sign of the Cross.
- How long is Demetrius and the Gladiators?
- Demetrius and the Gladiators runs 101 minutes.
- Where can I watch Demetrius and the Gladiators?
- In United States, Demetrius and the Gladiators streams on Philo.
