I saw him as a decent man in an indecent profession.
Yes, Borgnine's character does rise above what you would expect of one in his position but I'd have described it a bit differently. He's a true warrior with professional and personal standards, and respect for those who display similar principles. Not a bullying butcher like Richard Egan's character and the jackals who follow him.
An earlier instance of this is when he mentions to Messelina he had tried to teach Demetrius how to defend himself. His character's concern seemed genuine. He knew Demetrius was intended to die defenselessly but he had to make the attempt to keep it as fair as the circumstances would allow him.
Given a decent part Ernie was a pretty good actor.
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mdonln
9 years ago
mousalope says > An earlier instance of this is when he mentions to Messelina he had tried to teach Demetrius how to defend himself. His character's concern seemed genuine. He knew Demetrius was intended to die defenselessly but he had to make the attempt to keep it as fair as the circumstances would allow him.
As master of the 'best' gladiator training program, Strabo was responsible for producing gladiators who would 'fight well and die well' while putting on a good show.
Strabo knew it would reflect poorly on him if any of his gladiators refused to fight or failed to entertain the crowds, especially the emperor. That tells me whatever he did was done in his own best interest.
Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]
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kartoon-1
8 years ago
Strabo knew that his men's successes and failures were also his. He knew that they must all rise together or fall together.
So yes he had his own best interest at heart but his men WERE his best interest.
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