Set in the first half of the first century A.D. , and after the death of a great emperor : Octavian Augustus , in Rome governs his successor : emperor Tiberio , then the rebellious Teutonic populations of Illyria and Pannonia pose a grave threat to the Roman Empire. Tribune Marcus Ventidius (Cameron Mitchell) is sent by the Senate high hiearchy to subdue the invader German tribes and halt the murderous uprisings . At the beginning Marcus tries to gain an allegiance from the rebel tribes , but subsequently Venditius attempts to stifle the upheaval at whatever means . Pursuing some Teuton barbarian fugitives and after a bitter battle , Marcus captures Pannonian chief Magdus (Alex Medar) together with a number of women hostages. These include Magdus's own daughter Helen (Beba Loncar) , betrothed to ruthles Illyrian warrior chief Batone (Alex Gavin) who provokes a general rebellion against Roman domination , as he rallies his people and tribes when they are threatened by an powerful army commanded by Vetidius . Meantime , Batone massacres several Romans and has laid many traps to soldiers . Julia (Gabriella Pallota) , daughter of the Roman governor Messala (Paul Windsor) , is in love with Tribune Marcus and, jealous of his sympathy for the barbarian girl, schemes a getaway for Helen and her father. Only Batone is evil and treacherous enough to vanquish the brave Roman tribune .
This is a ¨sword and sandals¨ movie with action , adventures , fighting , duels and based on legendary deeds as well as historical events . Here there is romance , usual dances and blood curdling battles, as the barbarian tribes and Roman Legions fight a violent war .This is a fairly Sword and Sandals standard from the 60s . It's made middling scale with some spectacular scenes staged with a lot of extras and in Peplum style . It concerns about a tribune and his war against Barbarians , including feats , fights , political events , betrayal , wars and lovers . Although the deeds described are historically inaccurate , some events are vivid and authentic . The action is regularly done and the story occasionally drags , however to be liked for hardcore Peplum lovers.
It is a poor sequel to ¨Massacre in the Black Forest¨ , shot at the same time , with similar artistic team , as actors : Cameron Mitchell , Beba Loncar , Peter Carsten , Remo De Angelis , as technician experts , as composer : Carlos Savina and filmmaker , Ferdinando Baldi or Freddy Baldwyn . ¨Massacre in the black forest¨ dealt with the German the tribes, led by Arminius The Terrible played by Hans Von Borsody , against the cruel and conquering Roman Empire led by Varo performed by Cameron Mitchell , this film is better than ¨In the Shadow of the Eagles¨ , because regarding the brutal uprising of Arminius the Terrible from Queruscos tribe ,a tough warrior who is so brutal and terrible that Arminius becomes a legend throughout the empire, while Varo and his army are defeated in Teoteburg Woods . Stars Cameron Mitchell who gives a mediocre intepretation ,he was an American prolific actor who started working in Hollywood : Carousel , They were expendable , Flight to Mars , and he then emigrated Italy where he played all
kinds of genres , as he performed Western : Minnesota Clay , Tension at Table Rock , Last gun , Texas detour , Rebel rousers , The Andersonville trial , Ride in the whirlwind ; Adventure : Conquest of the Normands , Knives of the avenger , Julius Caesar the conqueror , Escapade in Japan , Desiree,
and Terror : Slaughter , Blood and black lace , Toolbox murders , Nightmare in wax museum , Frankenstein island , The demon , Blooklink , Medusa , Haunts , Autopsy of a ghost , among others .
The motion picture in medium budget was regularly realized by Ferdinando Baldi . Direction by Ferdinando Baldi is middlingly crafted, here he is more slow and violent and packs too much dialogue , as well as some battle scenes . Baldi makes a passable camera work , including spectacular dancing choreography on the atrium , fighting , and brief masses movements . Baldi was a craftsman who directed all kind genres as Peplum and adventure : ¨Horaci and Curiazi¨ ,¨The Son of Cleopatra¨, ¨ David and Goliat¨, ¨Duel selvaggi a corte¨ , ¨Taras Bulba il Cosacco¨, ¨Pirates of the Green Island¨, ¨Pedro il Cruel¨ , but especially Western such as "Carambola's Philosophy: In the Right Pocket" , "Django, Prepare a Coffin" , ¨Adios Texas¨ , ¨Rita in the West¨ , ¨The stranger¨, ¨Get mean¨and of course ¨Il Pistolero dell'Ave Maria" or USA original title "Forgotten Pistolero" at his best . All'ombra delle aquile(1966) is an uneven story, but will appeal to Peplum aficionados . Rating : 5, riotous Peplum in which there's too much dialog , action and battles and excitement enough .
