I just have to recommend watching these two Lucio Fulci films (from his 80's period) as a double feature. I guarantee it will be an amazingly warped experience. This is just a "dual user-comment", not even a review. I felt this was the only way I could tackle those movies, since watching the two of them back-to-back was such a truly unique endeavorment. Under normal circumstances, I might at least have been able to say a few more substantial things about THE NEW GLADIATORS (as I've seen more Italian films in the same vein). But know I still find myself more or less left-fieldishly knocked-out cold from watching CONQUEST. A cinematic experience that seems nearly impossible to review...I saw CONQUEST together with two friends (who have already seen more than one Fulci film). While one was shaking his head in disbelief, uttering words like "I don't think I quite get this movie...", the other one was constantly impressed with the pure genius of Lucio Fulci, not able to suppress his enthusiasm throughout the movie. During all this, I sat in the middle, baffled and confused, amazed and puzzled..., thinking: "Fulci, what have you done...? Were you, again, suffering from a true stroke of genius, or were you simply a raving lunatic all along...?". One thing is certain, though: When someone the likes of Fulci tackles the Sword & Sorcery genre, you simply have no alternative than to watch the movie.ROME 2033: THE FIGHTER CENTURIONS (or THE NEW GLADIATORS, as it is probably better known) was an even more fun watch. Probably because my two friends were a bit more familiar with the movies Fulci heavily steals from (from BLADE RUNNER to A CLOCKWORK ORANGE and from THE RUNNING MAN to ROLLERBALL). It's a wonderfully derailed, nonsensical mish-mash of futuristic idiosyncrasies riding the wave of the popular Italian post-apocalyptic action films at the time. And of course, how can it not star Fred Williamson? That "hate beam" was yet another stroke of genius (for some reason we just started calling it that way -- it's the blue-ish animated ray that comes out of that stick of that one guy). You can call it a good or (most likely) bad movie. But you will have a fun time watching it.The 10/10 covers this "double feature experience" as a whole.

I only watched this because it was directed by Lucio Fulci and featured Claudio Cassinelli, an actor I like. I was certainly disappointed.The idea that condemned prisoners would fight to the death for TV ratings has been overdone with Rollerball, Logan's Run, Blade Runner, and the new film, Death Race, which will certainly suck me in because it stars Jason Statham.This was just a bore for the most part. The "Kill Bike" action was ridiculous. The "training" was a snooze-fest. It just never grabbed me and made me want to care about anyone, including "Dallas" star Jared Martin or Fred Williamson.Pick one of the others mentioned and you'll be better off.

Well with Lucio Fulci in the directors chair you can count on two things straight away; Excellent visuals including an inordinate amount of Fulci's trademark extreme facial close ups (especially the eyes) and a confused story that will leave you scratching your head. You can also count on a third staple present in most of Fulci's work and the factor for which he is probably best remembered; His predilection for incorporating extreme gore scenes into his films (even his non horror efforts such as the film in question) In relation to all of the above, sure enough and true to form, Fulci yet again delivers the goods.The story set in the future, depicts a world where deadly gladiatorial contests take place for the TV viewing audiences' pleasure. The said contests take place on motorcycles whereby the combatants are required to batter their opponents off of their bikes with the last man standing being declared the winner.Jared Martin (Yes Dusty Farlow from Dallas!) plays Drake, the Kill Bike champion who along with the likes of B-movie regulars Fred Williamson, Al Yamanouchi and Al Cliver must fight for their lives in this cruel sport.Sadly it has to be said however, that there are far too few scenes of the sport in question with the vast majority of the films running time being squandered on a boring conspiracy storyline (and lots and lots of shots of peoples eyes!). Luckily things do pick up commendably in the final 30 or so minutes though and we get to see some admittedly excellent battle scenes involving motorbikes and sidecars in a futuristic take on the famous chariot sequence from Ben Hur.Overall, whilst not one of Fulci's best works, this is certainly far from his worst and provides a fairly entertaining watch. It's just such a pity that the sheer energy of the final third couldn't have been more abundant throughout.

Entertainingly goofy science-fiction from Lucio Fulci. The story takes forever to get started, and the part of the film that may attract most viewers - the recreation of the gladiatorial battles of the ancient Rome - is too short. But, the effects are amusing, the sets almost psychedelic, and the decapitations plentiful! This is a picture that I wouldn't care to see twice, but certainly one viewing is recommended. (**)