Messalina

Messalina (original title: Messalina Venere imperatrice) is a 1960 Italian peplum film directed by Vittorio Cottafavi. Blending biography, drama and history, it premiered in Italy on 12 March 1960 with a 96-minute running time and was released in the United States in 1962 in a shorter cut.

The screenplay was written by Ennio De Concini, Mario Guerra, Carlo Romano and Duccio Tessari, while the title role went to British actress Belinda Lee. The ensemble also features Ida Galli, Spiros Focás, Giuliano Gemma and Aroldo Tieri. Produced by Cineproduzione Emo Bistolfi and Rewind Film, the picture stands as an example of Italy's monumental sword-and-sandal cinema of the era.