The Revolt of the Pretorians

Rome chafes under the rule of the Emperor Domitian and his Egyptian mistress, Artamne. A mysterious champion arises to fight against the Emperor -- a masked man known as the Red Wolf. In fact, the Red Wolf is Valerius Rufus, one of the Emperor's trusted centurions who's aided by none other than the Emperor's court jester, the diminutive Elpidion. Rebels in league with Valerius kidnap Artamne, planning to exchange her for two of their imprisoned colleagues, but Artamne escapes and soon both Valerius, (now exposed as the Red Wolf), and his fiancee, Lucilla, are sentenced to be immersed in a cauldron of molten lead. Valerius's friends, however, rise up to rescue him and to liberate Rome.

Richard Harrison stars in an above average sword and sandal that typically features a cruel and hedonistic emperor and, of course, Harrison plays the hero but with a twist. He's the emperor's centurion but secretly loathes his employer and expresses that by donning a wolf's mask and righting some wrongs. It's a bit like Zorro, but set in the Roman times. The fast pace, a strong plot, lively action - which features good stunts and acrobatics - and nice set-pieces gives this peplum a right boost.