Theodora, Slave Empress

Cast

Release

Theodora, Slave Empress was the first of director Riccardo Freda's film to obtain a wide distribution outside Italy.

Reception

In a contemporary review, The Monthly Film Bulletin gave the film a negative review referring to the film as a "dispiriting experience." The review referred to Freda as direction as "laboured" and that he "brings neither gusto nor honest vulgarity to the narrative" The review also referred to the action scenes, stating that only the chariot race is staged with "any suggestion of real flamboyancy or flair" and the Canale's erotic dance before Justinian is "painfully unexciting".