Review of Hero of Rome

Mucius, a Roman soldier who is virtually a one-man army, goes on a suicide mission to assassinate the Etruscan king Porsena, who is besieging Rome. Mucius kills the wrong man, and to demonstrate to his captors the bravery of the Romans, he holds his right hand in a fire. Porsena, who isn't such a bad guy after all, is impressed and lets Mucius go. Porsena's treacherous ally, Tarquin, demands that ten Roman women be delivered as hostages during a truce. One of the girls is Clelia, Mucius' fiancee, whom--of course--Tarquin desires. When the girls discover that Tarquin is plotting against the Romans, they escape by swimming down the Tiber with the help of a floating log. Further plot complications ensue. Mucius teaches himself to use a sword with his left hand, thus earning the nickname Scaevola ("the left-handed"), and devises a wicked-looking piece of custom-made armor to protect his maimed right hand and forearm. There is a climactic battle, during which Mucius and Tarquin agree to settle the matter by one-on-one combat.

Gordon Scott, sporting dark hair and a beard, convinces as a Roman and puts his physical prowess into action during the lively sword fighting sequence. Plot is heavy, things get slightly bogged down with talking, but it's decent enough with an intriguing storyline and plenty of battle scenes. Liked the part where Scott trains his left arm in sword fighting and devises a device for his hand. Massimo Serato as the treacherous and unscrupulous General Tarquino is a standout, who prefers war and intends to severe the truce in half. Fairly entertaining.