Not Born to Be Gladiators
| Not Born to Be Gladiators | |
|---|---|
 Italian theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Iginio Straffi |
| Produced by |
Mario Anniballi Iginio Straffi |
| Screenplay by | Joanne Lee |
| Story by | Iginio Straffi |
| Starring |
Luca Argentero Laura Chiatti Belén Rodríguez |
| Narrated by | Michael J. Wilson |
| Music by |
Bruno Zambrini Tommy Caputo |
| Cinematography | Gianmario Catania |
| Edited by |
Joanne Lee Serena Dovì |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Medusa Film |
Release dates | 2012 |
Running time | 95 minutes |
| Country | Italy |
| Language | Italian / English |
| Budget | $40 million |
Not Born to Be Gladiators (Italian: Gladiatori di Roma), also known as Gladiators of Rome and referred to in marketing as Gladiators of Rome 3D, is a 2012 Italian computer-animated comedy film produced by Rainbow CGI and released by Medusa Film. It is directed by Iginio Straffi, and was opened in Italy on October 2012. It received instant success, despite being a major critical failure, and was later released across Europe and the Americas.
Plot
It is the age of Imperial Rome. Young Timo is an orphan of Pompeii's terrible eruption, adopted by general Chirone and raised in the most famous Gladiators' Academy in Rome. However, Timo is not exactly gladiator material. He just wants to hang out with his friends, Ciccius and Mauritius, and avoid his stepfather's bizarre training sessions at all costs. When Timo meets the lovely Lucilla, he decides to change his life and bring out the valor inside himself - valor that has never shown itself before. Through spells, crazy raids in the woods and the terrible trainings of a very personal lady trainer, Timo has to transform himself into the greatest gladiator of all time. And as they say, if "fortune favors the bold" in Rome hard times are awaiting Timo!
Promotonial release
To go along with the release of the film the fast food restaurant, McDonald's sold toys with their happy meals that each resembled a character of the film.
Reception
The film was panned by both Italian and American critics, with criticisms on its bad animation, weak characters, predictable plot, stilted dialogue, Iginio Straffi's direction and bad sense of humor.
Soundtrack
- You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)
- The Final Countdown
- The Best
- Everyday
- Tears and Rain - James Blunt