Arena, The (1974)

The Arena begins in England during the days of the Roman Empire when Roman slavers interrupt a pagan religious ceremony and kidnap statuesque blonde Bodicia (Margaret Markov). Meanwhile, another group of slavers bust up a dancing-and-drums ritual in Africa to kidnap voluptuous Mamawi (Pam Grier).

Together with other recent abductees, Bodicia and Mamawi are taken to a place called Burundium and sold at auction – along with Deidre (Lucretia Love) and Livia (Marie Louise Sinclair) – to Priscium (Silvio Laurenzi), a fey Roman who helps operate a gladiatorial academy.

The ladies are tasked with menial duties, and they’re also expected to provide gladiators with companionship.

Eventually, a catfight in the academy’s kitchen gives Priscium and his gluttonous boss, Timarchus (Daniele Vargas) the idea to present female gladiators as a novelty attraction.

Audiences love the girl-on-girl action, turning Bodicia and Mamawi into arena superstars. All the while, the women are plotting their escape.

Betrayal, bloodshed, and bonking ensue.

Think Spartacus without the sociopolitical themes and with bloody catfights, sleazy nude scenes and one breathless scene of sex and/or violence after another.

Leading ladies Pam Grier and Margaret Markov are displayed to flattering effect.

Mamawi
Pam Grier
Bodicia
Margaret Markov
Deidre
Lucretia Love
Livia
Marie Louise Sinclair
Lucilius
Paul Muller
Timarchus
Daniele Vargas
Lucinia
Maria Pia Conte
Cornelia
Rosalba Neri (as Sara Bay)
Marcus
Vassili Karis
Priscium
Silvio Laurenzi (as Sid Lawrence)
Rufinius
Mimmo Palmara (as Dick Palmer)
Lucan
Antonio Casale (as Anthony Vernon)
Aemilius
Franco Garofalo (as Christopher Oakes)
Septimus
Pietro Ceccarelli (as Peter Cester)
Quintus
Jho Jhenkins
Wulfstan
Ivan Gasper

Director
Steve Carver
Joe D’Amato (Joe Dante)