The Conqueror of Corinth

John Drew Barrymore, Jacques Sernas, Genevieve Grad and Anna Maria Canale perform the principal roles in this brisk-paced Mario Costa production, filmed on location in picturesque southern Greece in the Color-Scope process. A welcome entry to the roster of spectacles-from-another-era, it competently encompasses the ingredients of adult fury and childhood fantasy, recounting the valiant efforts by Greek legions to preserve the glory that once was theirs. Nino Stresa's screenplay is gratifyingly uncomplicated, early spelling out the forces of good (Roman emissary Sernas and his intended, Genevieve Grad) and evil (Gianni Santuccio and his hatchet-man, John Drew Barrymore, working with jealous Anna Maria Canale, who wishes Sernas would be romantically inclined towards her). Then it builds swiftly to the inevitable dramatic denouement, wherein the villainous Barrymore goes to his death in a snake pit meant for Miss Grad and the Roman warriors, led by newcomer Mitchel Gordon, bringing down retribution on the heads of those weaklings who would have challenged the empire's power and glory. Barrymore does well with his dark deeds, and the redoubtable Sernas brings purposefulness to his pivotal portrayal. A William Hunter presentation.