The Two Gladiators

The Two Gladiators (original Italian title I due gladiatori, also released as Fight or Die) is a 1964 Italian peplum film directed by Mario Caiano. The story opens when Emperor Marcus Aurelius fathers twin sons. To prevent a future succession struggle, it is decreed that one child will be named heir while the other must be killed. The senator charged with the deed cannot bring himself to do it and instead entrusts the infant to a foster family. Years later, Commodus takes the throne, and the senator sees an opportunity in the emperor's long-lost twin, Lucius Crassus, promoting him as a rival claimant. The brothers are soon plotting against each other, and their feud ends in fratricide during a gladiatorial contest in the arena. Loosely inspired by the turmoil of the Year of the Five Emperors in 193 AD, the film stars Richard Harrison alongside a supporting cast that includes Mimmo Palmara, Moira Orfei and Piero Lulli.