Centurians of Rome Review

Distributor: Bijou Edition Details: Standard DVD Movie Specs: Genres: Golden Age Classic, Feature Film, Gay Also known as: Centurions of Rome, Night of the Centurions Run Time: 83 minutes Rated: X Release Year: 1981 Director: John Christopher Written by: Timothy Michaels (screenplay), George Bosque (additional dialog), John Christopher (story idea) Cast: George Payne, Eric Ryan, Scorpio, Dave Ruby (as Jonny Cannuic), Jeffery Scott, Adam DeHaven (as Adam De Haven), Jerry Lassilli (as Jerome C. Fox), Fred Gormley (as Michael Flent), Ed Wiley, David Hadley, Ryder Jones, Giuseppe Welch, David O'Chela, John Cannon, Greg Monroe, Tom Trent, John Kovacs, Mitchell Flynn, Timothy Michaels, Roy Garrett, Richard Cox, Ken Ramsauer, David Morris, Robert Jones, Guy Monte, Charlotte Leigh (as Charlotte O'Hara), Tommy Hawke, Bobbie Burns (as Bobby Burns), Kenneth Carstein, Jerry Purpura, Justin Savage, Chuck Roebuck, Phil Phillips, Adam Kellog, Jerry Cassode, John Rowan Release Specs: Audio: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono Subtitles: none Video: Full Frame, 1.33:1 Video Format: NTSC Format: DVD-R Regional Code (for DVD/Blu-ray): 0 (All) Number of discs: 1

Centurians of Rome may have one of the most interesting histories in all of the adult film industry, gay or straight. The original producer, the late George Bosque, stole 1.85 million dollars from Brink's in San Francisco on August 15, 1980. This was unknown by the late John Christopher when he signed on to direct the film. Bosque's initial investment in Centurians of Rome was $100,000. Centurians of Rome took 12 days to film and had cost $155,000 when John Christopher and Carter Stevens started editing it. Bosque disappeared once the film entered editing and Jack Deveau, of Hand in Hand Films, put up the money needed for completion of the film in exchange for ownership of the film. Contrary to rumors that exist, Lloyd's of London, Brink's insurer, does not own a portion of or all of Centurians of Rome.

Centurians of Rome had its principle photography in Nyack, New York, and in New York City at Plato's Retreat, and Fist Fuckers of America Club (23rd St), and had additional shoots at Federal Hall, the Customs House, Castle Clinton, and the Stock Exchange. And Centurians of Rome boasts a great behind the scenes crew as well. Larry Revene (Corruption) was the cinematographer. Carter Stevens (Rollerbabies), along with John Christopher, edited the film.

So, how did Centurians of Rome turn out? It is, honestly, a mixed bag. The film starts with an odd spoof of Star Wars for the opening, that seems completely out of place when the film jumps from space to ancient Rome. There isn't much to the plot either. Given some of the work that went into the production, more work on the plot would have been expected.

Octavius (Scorpio) is taken by a Roman commander (Eric Ryan) because of his uncle's failure to pay his taxes. His friend Demetrius (George Payne) rescues Octavius from the Romans but manages to get himself caught. Demetrius gets sold at auction to the Emperor (Fred Gormley). Octavius goes to the commander to pay the back taxes and finds out that Demitrius has been sold to the Emperor. Octavius begins a relationship with the commander while trying to figure out how to free Demetrius.

Centurians of Rome has done some aspects well. The costuming and sets are good. The sets aren't 100 percent accurate, but they convey the feel of ancient Rome and some work obviously went into putting them together. The costumes also help convey the feel of ancient Rome, helping the film immensely. Christopher and Stevens also did a great job of editing the film together so that the exterior establishing shots work together with the interior shots to give a sense of ancient Rome. Yes, there are some issues of some out of place windows, that don't quite look right, but that is a very small issue.

Outside of the major spelling mistake in the title, Centurians of Rome has additional issues. The fight scene with the Roman commander and his soldiers (Dave Ruby and Jeffery Scott) against Octavius and Demitrius is so bad it is laughable. There are columns that are in Octavius' uncle's field that just don't look right at all.

Being a straight male, the sex scenes are hard to gauge. As far as the acting goes, that is a mixed bag as well. Some of the cast members, like George Payne, do a great job with their roles. Others, such as Scorpio, aren't that good with the material they are working with.

Bijou Video hasn't done an amazing job with their release of Centurians of Rome. The release is a DVD-R instead of a pressed disc. Bijou created a new master for this release from the A-B negative reversal print of the film. Centurians of Rome is presented in the academy aspect ratio of 1.33:1 in 480i. The transfer has heavy grain and artifacts. There are points where the colors are nice and vibrant and other points where the image is too dark and the colors are very muted. For much of the film the right side of the screen has a band where the image is much lighter than the rest. The film is watchable and isn't horrible but someone failed at the color correction rather badly it looks like.

Centurians of Rome is presented with an English Dolby Digital 2.0 monaural audio track. There is hiss present throughout the film presentation but it doesn't detract from the viewing experience. Dialog is clear and can be heard at all times.

Bijou Video hasn't included any extras on this release.

Centurians of Rome has an interesting history behind the film and a decent historic feel to the film however, in the end it still feels like an average adult film. While work clearly went into some aspects of the film, others appear to have been not too well thought through and the plot is minimal. Bijou has done an acceptable job with this release. The transfer was mastered from a print but there were some issues with the new transfer.

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