In the 70's drive-in, can you picture yourself watching a Roger Corman movie? No need to be put off by this rating I personally love this movie. I am exploitation -enthusiasts and would have rated it much higher but instead I save myself for being a bias. Fashionable feminism, utterly unwarranted nudity, catfights, overdramatic dialogue are all right here in "The Arena," a lavish spectacle (by New World standards) in which the audience is treated to Caged Heat in gladiator drag. Of course, most DVD buyers will probably want to snag this one up for Pam Grier, doing by far the most explicit and unabashed nudity of her career. Luckily, it also happens to be quite a fun film.
Markhov and Grier make a nice team after their previous stint on Corman's Black Mama, White Mama, and visually, the film looks terrific. Though credited to Steve Carver (Big Bad Mama - Special Edition, Lone Wolf McQuade), directorial chores were reportedly handled mostly by the film's cinematographer, Joe D'Amato (Aristide Massaccesi), who later found a profitable career helming horror films (The Grim Reaper) and a slew of highbrow Rocco Siffredi hard porn titles. And believe it or not, this was edited by Joe Dante, long before Corman gave him his big break as director of Piranha. For Grier and women in prison fans, the decision to pick this one up should be a no brainer.
Classic Grier I would only recommend this film because it is an interesting alternative to the usual scenery in which we are accustomed to seeing Pam Grier.
Otherwise, it's stock 70's female exploitation, in which Pam Grier led the pack. Very little plot: exotic women are kidnapped from foreign locales and are trained in the arena, where they put on spectacles for eager, bloodthirsty onlookers. In the end, the fittest of the fittest, Grier and Markov, are forced to fight each other. Fight or die, one or both. In the end, they both rebel and race for freedom while pursued by the emperor's soldiers. Not much else to it. Even nudity isn't a plus here.
It was not until this film that I noticed how extremely BEAUTIFUL Margret Markov is. Whatever happened to her?
I think this film is worth the time, but I don't think you'd want to buy it, unless you already have a space on your DVD rack for once-viewed movies that will never again see daylight. This would be one of those movies.
You Gotta Love the 70s -- Action - Nudity - Lust - Catfights Two viscous catfights, three duels in the arena, a gladiatrix revolt, and a running battle through the catacombs as the girls escape make for plenty of action. Plus for Pam Grier fans, a full frontal nudity shower scene. The movie portrays them as playthings for the vicarious bloodlust of Imperial Rome, slave-girl gladiators forced to fight or die in spectacles of barbarous combat. Pam Grier and Margaret Markov head the cast of sweaty sword-and-sandal sisters.
Pure Awful! Yeah I know that this was a "B" movie but this was a chore to watch! I purchased it hoping like every other male to get to see some great nude scenes of Pam Grier and the few nude scenes (only 2 of Pam) are not even worth it. The picture guality for a DVD left much to be desired. There was no plot whatsoever but then again this is a Corman picture. Dolemite movies don't have a plot either but I'd much rather sit through one of his ridiculous attempts at cinema than this stinker. Like Pam Grier? Get Coffy and don't waste your money on this garbage!
Not the greatest Grier... If you're looking for a funky sleazy flick like Coffy you've come to the wrong place, as although this sand & sandals "epic" has it's fair quota of sleaze it's just not up to the Jack Hill standards.
Grier is great, as always, and Margret Markov gives good gladiator as well, but the film really starts to sag in the second half when it can't make it's mind up if it wants to be a tounge in cheek catfight movie or a serious Ben Hur style epic.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Trevor
