The Slave 1962
Directed by
Sergio Corbucci
Made by
Titanus
The Slave Plot Summary
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for The Slave (1962). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
In 48 B.C., twenty-five years after the revolt of Spartacus, Randus has grown from a slave into a capable soldier within the Roman army, stationed in Alexandria, Egypt. He earns a promotion to centurion from his commander, Julius Caesar, and is entrusted with a crucial mission: travel to Zeugma in the eastern provinces to uncover the secret plots of the local governor, Crassus.
Randus sets sail on a war galley, joined by his decurion ally Lumonius, a Germanic servant named Beroz, an ambitious Gallic officer named Vetius, and Vetius’ sister Claudia. Shortly after departure from Alexandria, Randus befriends a young Egyptian slave named Saida. On a foggy night, the galley strikes a hidden reef and Saida is thrown overboard. Randus dives in to save her, but the vessel pulls away, and the two are washed ashore. They decide to trek across the desert, hoping to find water and supplies.
Their journey leads them to a Berber-guarded slave caravan working for Crassus, and they are captured and folded into the slave ranks. Among the other captives is Gulbar, an ex-gladiator and survivor of Spartacus’ army, who recognizes Randus as Spartacus’s heir after spotting Spartacus’ amulet around Randus’ neck. Gulbar helps rally the freed slaves, and together they break free from their guards. Gulbar urges Randus to seek him and his growing slave army at the legendary “City of the Sun” before the caravan dissolves into the desert.
Arriving in Zeugma, Randus confronts Crassus, who coldly orders the execution of slaves who took part in the uprising, despite Randus’ protests. Lumonius arrives with warning that Crassus is secretly amassing a formidable army. Accompanied by Beroz, Randus continues toward the City of the Sun, where he discovers the ruined tomb of Spartacus. Turning away, he is joined by Gulbar and the freed slaves, who urge him to embrace his father’s legacy. That night, Randus, now armed with his father’s sword and helmet, frees several condemned slaves and begins a rebel campaign, rekindling hope among the oppressed in the province.
Crassus schemes to capture the Son of Spartacus, while Beroz occasionally plays Crassus’ role to keep up appearances, allowing Randus to reveal himself in time. To draw Randus out, Crassus hosts a deadly party in his palace, featuring a sealed cage filled with poisonous fumes that slowly kills slaves. In the ensuing chaos, Murdok, Crassus’ ally King Pharnaces’ brother, is killed. Crassus flees into the dungeons, where he is unmasked and determines to surrender Randus to Pharnaces to secure his grip on Rome.
Lumonius manages to escape and warn Caesar of Crassus’ plan, while the rebel slaves attack Crassus’ entourage in the desert. Randus is freed, Crassus and Claudia are captured, and Vetius is killed by Randus. Saida pleads for mercy, but Claudia is left behind in the desert with Beroz’ dagger for a merciful suicide. Crassus meets his end when molten gold pours into his mouth, sealing his fate.
When Caesar finally arrives, he learns Randus’ true heritage and sentences him to crucifixion as a symbol of rebellion. However, seeing the province’s overwhelming loyalty, Caesar pardons Randus, recognizing the power of unity and resistance. In the closing moments, Randus returns his father’s sword to Spartacus’s grave, ensuring that a future hero may rise to challenge oppression when the time is right.
The Slave Timeline
Follow the complete movie timeline of The Slave (1962) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Centurion Randus assigned to Zeugma
In 48 B.C., Randus, the son of Spartacus, is promoted to centurion by Caesar and given a dangerous mission to travel to Zeugma to uncover Crassus' secret plots. He departs Alexandria, Egypt, with his decurion Lumonius, the Germanic servant Beroz, the ambitious Gallic officer Vetius, and Vetius' sister Claudia. The assignment marks the start of a perilous journey that will test his loyalty and heritage.
Randus befriends Saida and the shipwreck
Randus meets Saida, a young Egyptian slave girl owned by Claudia. On a foggy night, the galley collides with a hidden reef and Saida is thrown overboard while Randus dives in to save her. The ship sails away, leaving them stranded, and they wash up on a desert shore to begin a grueling journey toward safety.
Desert caravan capture and Gulbar’s recognition
Randus and Saida are captured by a slave caravan guarded by Berber mercenaries working for Crassus. Gulbar, an ex-gladiator among the slaves, recognizes Randus as Spartacus' son after seeing Spartacus' amulet. The group becomes enslaved marchers toward Zeugma, enduring harsh desert conditions.
Gulbar inspires Randus to embrace his legacy
Gulbar reveals Randus's true heritage and urges him to claim his father's legacy. Randus and the freed slaves stage a revolt, killing their Berber guards and escaping the caravan. Gulbar directs Randus to meet him at the legendary 'City of the Sun' for the next phase of their fight.
Randus reaches Zeugma and confronts Crassus
Randus arrives in Zeugma with Beroz and confronts Crassus, who coldly orders the execution of the participating slaves. Lumonius warns that Crassus is secretly amassing a large army to crush any rebellion. Randus begins to consider overt resistance while maintaining his cover for the moment.
City of the Sun and Spartacus' grave
Randus travels with Beroz to the City of the Sun and discovers the ancient grave of Spartacus. The ruins reinforce his resolve, and Gulbar and the freed slaves urge him to embrace his father's cause. He vows to fight oppression and honor Spartacus's legacy.
Randus leads a slave rebellion
Backed by Gulbar and the freed slaves, Randus dons his father's mask and frees condemned slaves. He launches a broader rebel campaign that rekindles hope among the oppressed provincials. His growing power threatens Crassus's grip on the region.
Crassus' party trap and the palace dungeon confrontation
Crassus hosts a lavish party to lure the Son of Spartacus into a trap. Randus, in disguise, disrupts the celebration and a deadly confrontation ensues. Murdok is killed and Crassus escapes, pursued by Randus into the castle dungeons where he is finally unmasked.
Lumonius warns and the desert camp
Lumonius escapes to warn Caesar and the rebels of Crassus' plan, while Crassus' entourage camps in the desert and prepares for a final assault. The looming clash signals a turning point for Randus's rebellion.
Desert ambush, Randus freed, Crassus captured
The rebel slaves strike Crassus' convoy, freeing Randus and capturing Crassus and Claudia. Vetius is killed in the fighting. Saida pleads for mercy, sparing Claudia temporarily, but the rebel forces press their advantage.
Crassus' death by molten gold
Crassus meets a brutal end as the slaves pour molten gold into his mouth, a cruel reminder of his tyranny. Claudia is spared for now as she is left alive and abandoned in the desert with Beroz's dagger.
Caesar discovers Randus and the pardon scene
Caesar arrives in the province, learning of Randus's Spartacan heritage and sentencing him to death by crucifixion as a symbol of resistance. The people flood the scene with their willingness to join Randus in death, compelling Caesar to reconsider.
Pardon and Spartacus's legacy secured
Moved by the province's loyalty, Caesar pardons Randus. Randus returns his father's sword to Spartacus's grave, ensuring that a future hero may rise to challenge oppression when the time is right.
The Slave Characters
Explore all characters from The Slave (1962). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Randus (Steve Reeves)
Randus is the son of Spartacus and rises to a centurion in Caesar's army, carrying a quiet burden of his heritage. He combines tactical skill with a growing willingness to challenge oppression. His loyalty to Rome is tested by his allegiance to his father's legacy, eventually rallying slaves to resist Crassus. He embodies the conflict between duty and freedom.
Lumonius (Roland Bartrop)
Lumonius is Randus's decurion friend, steadfast and practical. He navigates Crassus's intrigues and acts as a key ally who warns Caesar of Crassus's plans. His loyalty to Randus helps unite the rebel faction with Caesar's circle. He embodies disciplined brotherhood in the face of betrayal.
Gulbar (Enzo Fiermonte)
Gulbar is an ex-gladiator and a survivor of Spartacus' army who recognizes Randus's heritage. He becomes a leader among freed slaves and guides the revolt from the shadows. His experience in the arena informs his resolve to fight for freedom.
Claudia (Gianna Maria Canale)
Claudia is Vetius's sister and the owner of Saide; she is captured by Crassus's faction and later spared, only to be abandoned in the desert. Her position as a noble captive highlights the political costs of rebellion. She becomes a symbol of the collateral damage of the empire's power struggles.
Crassus (Claudio Gora)
Crassus is a ruthless Roman governor who seeks unchallenged power. He orders brutal executions of rebels, engineers political plots, and clashes with Caesar. His calculated cruelty demonstrates how tyranny uses fear to suppress resistance.
Julius Caesar (Ivo Garrani)
Caesar is the returning Roman commander who promotes Randus and ultimately judges him with a mixture of skepticism and mercy. He embodies political acumen and the wavering line between ruling with might and ruling with legitimacy. His involvement frames the larger imperial stakes of Randus's actions.
Murdok (Ahmed Ramzy)
Murdok is Crassus's ally and brother to Pharnaces; he is a figure of danger who becomes a casualty of the rebels' resistance. His presence pushes Crassus's plans toward a brutal conclusion. He represents the merciless faction backing the proconsular authority.
Saide (Ombretta Colli)
Saide is an Egyptian slave who befriends Randus, offering compassion and resourcefulness amid peril. She advocates mercy for Claudia and becomes a bridge between enslaved and free worlds. Her action contributes to rekindling hope among the oppressed.
Vetius (Jacques Sernas)
Vetius is an ambitious Gallic officer whose schemes threaten Randus's mission. He is a relentless antagonist who pursues the Son of Spartacus and fuels the tension between Crassus and the rebel faction. His defeat clears the way for Randus's leadership to rise.
Beroz
Beroz is Randus's Germanic servant who sometimes plays his master's role to mislead Crassus and later aligns with the rebels. He embodies the shifting loyalties that occur in war-time alliances.
The Slave Settings
Learn where and when The Slave (1962) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Time period
48 B.C.
The narrative unfolds in 48 B.C., a period of political upheaval in the late Roman Republic. Generals and governors maneuver for control while provincial rulers enforce brutal rule. The era is marked by slave uprisings and the uneasy alliance between Caesar and Crassus that frames Randus's mission.
Location
Alexandria, Egypt, Zeugma, City of the Sun
Set primarily in Alexandria, Egypt, the story begins in a bustling Roman-era city under imperial rule. The action then drives Randus across the empire to the eastern province city of Zeugma and finally into the harsh desert toward the City of the Sun. The settings range from crowded ports and military camps to slave caravans crossing vast sands, illustrating a world where power hinges on domination and fear.
The Slave Themes
Discover the main themes in The Slave (1962). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
🕊️
Freedom
Randus's journey becomes a struggle for personal and collective liberty. The slave uprising, sparked by his leadership, highlights the longing for emancipation from tyranny. Freedom is framed as a dangerous, costly pursuit that demands courage and sacrifice from unlikely allies.
🧭
Heritage
Randus is torn between his Roman role and the legacy of Spartacus. The discovery of his lineage fuels a sense of identity and responsibility. The story uses Randus's heritage to explore how the past can shape present choices and destinies.
🏛️
Power
Crassus embodies the corrupting force of power, using violence and manipulation to maintain control. The clashes between governors, generals, and rebels reveal how authority can crumble when faced with popular resistance. The narrative pits imperial ambition against collective solidarity.
The Slave Spoiler-Free Summary
Discover the spoiler-free summary of The Slave (1962). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.
In the waning days of the Roman Republic, the empire’s restless legions stretch from the marble streets of Rome to the sun‑baked dunes of Egypt. Trade routes hum with the clatter of chariots, the scent of exotic spices mingles with the iron of disciplined troops, and political ambition crackles like a storm on the horizon. Against this backdrop of opulence and oppression, the world feels both vast and claustrophobic—every port city a crossroads of power, every desert caravan a whisper of hidden dissent.
At the center of this tension stands Randus, a former slave whose rise through the ranks has forged him into a capable centurion. Recognized by Julius Caesar for his battlefield skill, he is entrusted with a delicate assignment: travel to the eastern provinces and keep a watchful eye on the ambitious co‑triumvir Marcus Licinius Crassus. The mission promises honor, yet it also drags him back toward the shadows of his past, where the memories of bondage linger like an unshakable echo.
A storm‑tossed sea voyage turns the assignment into a test of survival. Captured by mercenaries, Randus finds himself thrust among those he once served, and an unexpected discovery—a simple amulet passed down from his mother—begins to reveal a lineage he never imagined. The artifact hints at a legendary heritage, tying him to a name that once ignited a massive, though long‑suppressed, uprising against the very masters he now serves.
The film balances sweeping historical spectacle with intimate character study, letting the harsh desert heat and the glitter of Roman triumphs frame a deeper question of identity and responsibility. Randus must decide whether to embrace the legacy whispered through the amulet or remain loyal to the empire that elevated him, all while the simmering unrest among the enslaved threatens to flare into something far larger than any single man could control.
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