I guerrieri dell'anno 2072 (1984)

In 2072 Rome, Italy, the ruthless CEO of a TV network plots to stage a modern series of gladiator games for ratings while one 'contenstant' learns of a conspiracy behind the true nature of the results.

Director:

Lucio Fulci

Writers:

Elisa Briganti (screenplay), Elisa Briganti (story),

Stars:

Jared Martin, Fred Williamson, Howard Ross

Cast

Credited cast:
Jared Martin	...	Drake
Fred Williamson	...	Abdul
Howard Ross	...	Raven
Eleonora Brigliadori	...	Sarah (as Eleonor Gold)
Cosimo Cinieri	...	Professor Towman
Claudio Cassinelli	...	Cortez
Valeria Cavalli	...	Susan (as Valerie Jones)
Donald O'Brien	...	Monk (as Donal O'Brien)
Penny Brown	...	Sybil
Al Cliver	...	Kirk
Mario Novelli	...	Tango (as Tony Sanders)
Hal Yamanouchi	...	Akira (as Haruiko Yamanouchi)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Lucio Fulci

Storyline

In the future, two television networks compete for ratings by producing violent game shows. One network produces a modern day version of the Roman gladiators, only on motorcycles instead of chariots, and uses convicted murderers as the participants, The network decides it needs a champion for this sport, so they frame a constant winner from another game for murder, and place him on the show.

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Plot Keywords:

game | gladiator | conspiracy | futuristic | death | 

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Genres:

Sci-Fi | Action

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Details

Official Sites:

Troma

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

28 January 1984 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Fighting Centurions

Filming Locations:

Elios Studios, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Regency Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The original title of the movie is "I Guerrieri Dell' Anno 2072", but the date changes a lot according to some countries. In the UK, the title is "Rome 2033 - The Fighter Centurions", and even the first Italian VHS pushed the date a little later - it was re-named "I Guerrieri Dell' Anno 2079".

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Quotes

Commentator: Take a good look at these contestants, because for these men violent death is just seconds away.

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Connections

References A Clockwork Orange (1971)

User Reviews

Better than I expected

During his career , Fulci contributed to many different genres. It is a bid sad that he is remembered only for his gore movies, though they are classics.

But Fulci making a sci-fi movie still sounded like a disaster, especially given the low budgets with which Fulci worked during the period when he made "New gladiators". Nevertheless, I was quite pleased with the result. Clearly, one cannot call the movie a good movie. For this, it is far too uneven: It has a fairly good opening, but step by step degrades into plain silliness culminating into Drake swallowing a device which allows him to manipulate all electronic equipment and even melt metal walls. At the end, the movie resumes pace again for a rather satisfying ending.

As often noted, even by Fulci's daughter Antonella, the "New gladiators" is highly reminiscent of "Rollerball" and of other classic American sci-fi-movies such as "Logan's run". Fulci manages to use some of his trademark elements to enhance the familiar motives: First, there is the overall dark atmosphere of the movie. Second, there are some almost surreal sequences such as the killing of Drake's wife. Third, there is the juxtapposition of antique and future Rome. At this point, I would like to mention that the often criticized toy models are filmed quite effectively and help to create an illusion, though not a perfect one. Fulci and the scriptwriters get an extra credit for managing to incorporate a throat slashing with Poe's pendulum into this movie!

All in all, "New Gladiators" is a slightly messed up movie with interesting details to keep you amused. As such, it is much more entertaining than recent Hollywood big budget sci-fis which feature even less story and more silly plot elements than the worst Fulci movie and are completely brainless.