Gladiatress (2004)

This sword and sandals movie is an off-the-wall comedy adventure about three unlikely heroines, who set out to save Celtic Britain, by thwarting the Roman invasion in their own unique and outrageous style.

Director:

Brian Grant

Writer:

Nick Whitby

Stars:

David Hayman, Ronan Vibert, Philippe De Grossouvre

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
David Hayman	...	General Rhinus
Ronan Vibert	...	Caesar
Philippe De Grossouvre	...	Jean Marcosivellauniviromandiboule / Young Gaul
Doon Mackichan	...	Dwyfuc
Fiona Allen	...	Smirgut the Fierce
Sally Phillips	...	Worthaboutapig
Rory MacGregor	...	Male Dubonni Warrior
Pam Ferris	...	Mrs. Goatsplitter
Brendan O'Hea	...	Welsh Suitor
William Chubb	...	Chamberlain
Dorian MacDonald	...	Geordie Suitor
Nicola Stephenson	...	Elderly Dubonni Woman
Marcia Warren	...	Queen Tuathfhlaifthfth
Dermot Keaney	...	French Speaker
Bruno Lastra	...	Messenger

Storyline

When a particularly sissy Caesar orders his general Rhinus to proceed with the conquest of Britain, which is just a mosaic of inter-warring Celtic tribes related to the Gauls he already subjugated, those send Marcosivellauniviromandiboule (aka Young Gaul) to the Dubonni, a measly tribe where three sisters play a leading role, and therefore see the messenger foremost as an ideal catch for the unmarried youngest; his bed-test goes great, while a Roman attack on the rivaling neighbor Kent tribe is welcomed without any strategic foresight. Nevertheless the Roman war machine rolls on, so war must be engaged, however again in their, female-shaped way.

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Plot Keywords:

heroine | sword and sandal | sword | sex | disarming someone | 

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Taglines:

Does my gluteus maximus look big in this?

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English French

Release Date:

19 August 2004 (Australia)

Also Known As:

As Gladiadoras

Filming Locations:

UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mission Pictures, Stock Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Was released three years after wrapping.

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Connections

Spoofs Gladiator (2000)

User Reviews

A great uplifting comedy about tits and bravery

Not brilliant, but definitely worth watching. British humor at it's almost best and a very feminine type of humor to, in the great tradition of Absolutely Faboulous and Bridget Jones. Girl Power comedy. I think it's wonderful that we have come that far that women can be portrayed as pathetic and miserable but still sympathetic, as they are in movies like Gladiatress and Bridget Jones Diaries. It's womens turn to be allowed to be ridiculous - a domain which has been strictly male dominated until recently.

Above all I like that the movie show how superior, in practically everything, except for farting, the Romans were. They were cleaner, ate better, behaved better and above all, they locked better. "What have the Romans ever given to us" - Life of Brian. British men don't get much credit in this one. The movies heretical mixture of past and present also makes it one of those few really good comedies that doesn't take itself too seriously without becoming just silly and boring.