The Plot:
The Arena begins nice and peaceful by showing us what appears to be a wedding ceremony of sorts. There’s a small crowd of men, women and children in the woods peacefully going about their business. Minutes later, the ceremony is broken up by soldiers on horseback killing all but the women. Elsewhere, we see a dance ceremony of the same nature where the women are dancing with men in what appears to be a tribal ceremony. And again, soldiers on horseback rush in killing all but the women.

Once the women are rounded up, they’re taken to the small Roman town of Brundisium. It’s here that the women are sold as slaves to a man called Timarchus (Daniele Vargas). Timarchus force the women to strip in order to clean them up. Once cleaned and dressed, the women are offered to the gladiators who fight in the arena. The women also serve as slaves to the men of Brundisium.

During one evening while preparing a dinner feast, both Bodicia (Margaret Markov) and Mamawi (Pam Grier) start a fight among the other slave girls. It’s during this fight that Timarchus gets the idea of putting women into the arena as female gladiators, fighting to their deaths. Both Bodicia and Mamawi realize the only way to their freedom is to agree to the idea as Timarchus has promised freedom to the winner of the fights.

The Takeaway:
Those of you who have seen The Arena and also Ridley Scott’s Gladiator (2000) starring Russell Crowe, will know that The Arena is similar to that of Scott’s bigger budget epic. The idea of rounding-up men, and in the case of The Arena , women, isn’t new as The Arena did it years earlier. The idea is however nearly identical in every way, shape and form to that of Gladiator . That being said, and knowing that Roger Corman played executive producer to this low budget adventure film, The Arena turns out to be an above average sword and sandal film.

From a filmmaking standpoint, direction, cinematography, editing and story are on the same scale as other Corman productions before it. As the story goes, there are corrupt Roman politicians, gay flamboyant characters, rough and gritty gladiators and topping this all off are the lovely lady gladiators whom are often naked throughout the film. Truth be told, I only own this film because of the beautiful Pam Grier and the fact that she gets completely naked more than once. Yes, I’m a pervert! However, the film is a very fun watch despite my perviness and I rather enjoyed seeing the women rise up to fight for their freedom.

Film Facts:
The Arena was directed by Steve Carver, written by John and Joyce Corrington, edited by Piera Bruni and shot by Joe D’Amato. The film was distributed by New World Pictures and was released in January of 1974. Joe D’Amato went on to much success in the film industry as both a cinematographer and director. He directed films such as Emanuelle in America (1977), Emanuelle and the Last Cannibals (1977), Beyond the Darkness (1980) Antropophagus (1980) and many, many others. Some good, some not so good.

The real star of The Arena is non other than Pam Grier. Grier’s career has spanned 40 years now and she’s certainly become an iconic figure in film, starring in roles as early 1970 when she appeared in Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970). She would become famous for her roles in the ‘women in prison’ films such as The Big Doll House (1971) Women in Cages (1971) and The Big Bird Cage (1972). She would also appear in many blaxploitation films in the 70’s such as Black Mama, White Mama (1973), Coffy (1973) and Foxy Brown (1974) to name just a few. She has become the single most recognized female for 70’s exploitation and blaxploitation films.

Thoughts In My Head:
– “that’s a nice piece, save it for the market” LOL
– I’ll take one of each color please (women that is)
– Ah, that’s it, bathe those filthy dirty women
– These gals clean up nicely
– There’s always a flamboyant gay character in these gladiator films
– The Roman’s are fucking animals
– These women sway way to easy, now they want to have sex with their captors
– Cat fight, meow…
– I foresee women in the arena ring very soon
– Most of these ladies can’t even lift a sword
– Pam Grier’s boobs are simply marvelous
– “you drunken slut” OUCH
– One of Pam Grier’s boobs is bigger than the other. Luckily, one of my hands is bigger than the other
– Kill this fat fuck Roman already
– Why would anyone willingly walk into the arena, however, getting thrown in is altogether different
– HAHA, and there goes the flamer into the pit
– FREEDOM!

Favorite Badass or Badass Moment: Pam Grier as Mamawi
Favorite Boobs or Boobs in a Scene: Umm, hello, anytime Mamawi is naked or topless!
Favorite Death Scene: No real favorite in this one

Boob Count: 9 pair
Body Count: 36

IMDB Rating: 5.5 / 10
My Rating: 6.5 / 10

Final Thoughts: There are plenty of deaths and boobs to be seen in The Arena . But the real attraction is simply Pam Grier. Her badassery and beauty make this film well worth a watch and then some. I can’t recommend it enough and rest assured, I feel a “Pam Grier” BBandBC Podcast episode coming in the near future.