Alright folks, settle back into that comfy, slightly worn spot on the couch, maybe dim the lights until the glow from the screen is all that matters. Tonight on VHS Heaven, we're dusting off a tape that might have caught your eye in the comedy section back in the day, nestled somewhere between Naked Gun sequels and maybe a Mel Brooks classic. It’s a weird one, a glorious slice of Italian cinematic absurdity that somehow lassoed a major American comedy icon: 1994’s S.P.Q.R.: 2,000 and a Half Years Ago. Ever stumble across this glorious piece of anachronistic silliness?
### Togas, Corruption, and a Familiar Face
Imagine, if you will, the bustling streets of Ancient Rome, circa 71 B.C. Chariots clog the cobblestones like rush-hour traffic, senators engage in shady backroom deals that feel suspiciously modern, and everyday Romans grumble about taxes and potholes. Now, transplant the biting political satire of Italy's massive early '90s "Tangentopoli" corruption scandals directly into this setting. That's the wonderfully bizarre premise cooked up by the prolific Italian filmmaking brothers Carlo Vanzina (directing) and Enrico Vanzina (co-writing). It’s less Ben-Hur and more Police Academy meets Asterix, filtered through a distinctly Italian lens.
Our guides through this historical funhouse are two absolute pillars of Italian comedy: Christian De Sica (son of the legendary Vittorio De Sica) and Massimo Boldi. These guys were, and remain, a hugely popular comedic duo in Italy, famous for their slapstick timing and relatable everyman characters, often headlining the wildly successful "cinepanettone" Christmas comedies also frequently helmed by the Vanzinas. Here, De Sica plays Cesare Atticus, a slick, ambitious magistrate trying to clean up Rome, while Boldi is Antonio Servilio, his bumbling, perpetually exasperated common-man sidekick constantly getting tangled in bureaucratic nightmares and petty scams. Their chemistry is effortless, honed over years of collaboration, providing the film's energetic, often frantic, core.
### Wait, Is That…?
But let's address the elephant in the forum, the reason many outside Italy might have even picked up the box: Leslie Nielsen. Yes, that Leslie Nielsen, Frank Drebin himself, appears as the corrupt, scheming Senator Lucio Cinico (Senator Cynic – subtlety wasn't the goal here!). Fresh off the peak of his Naked Gun fame, Nielsen’s presence feels both utterly random and strangely perfect. Retro Fun Fact: Nielsen reportedly filmed all his scenes in just a few days at Rome's famed Cinecittà studios, delivering his lines in English before being expertly dubbed into Italian for the local release (as was common practice). Seeing him deliver deadpan pronouncements about dodgy construction contracts while draped in a toga is a sight gag that works purely on the unexpected collision of worlds. He doesn't dominate the film, acting more as a recurring antagonistic force, but his involvement gave S.P.Q.R. a hook for international video distribution.
### Veni, Vidi, Vici... Sort Of
Carlo Vanzina, who sadly passed away in 2018, was a master of crafting commercially successful comedies that tapped directly into the Italian zeitgeist. S.P.Q.R. is no exception. While lacking the holiday trappings of his "cinepanettone" hits, it shares their fast pace, reliance on broad character types, and willingness to mix slapstick with topical satire. The production makes clever use of the sprawling Cinecittà backlots, giving it a decent sense of scale on what was likely a modest budget for this kind of period piece (though it was a certified smash hit in Italy, raking in over 15 billion lire – a hefty sum back then!).
The humour is a mixed bag, especially for non-Italian viewers. There are universal sight gags (like chariots getting parking tickets or dealing with ancient Roman traffic jams), plenty of Boldi’s flustered reactions, and De Sica’s smooth-talking manoeuvres. But a lot of the specific jokes are deeply rooted in the Tangentopoli scandal – references to crooked politicians, bribery disguised as legitimate business, and the public's cynical resignation to it all. It's fascinating as a time capsule of early '90s Italian social commentary, but some punchlines might fly over the heads of those unfamiliar with the context. Think of it like watching a Saturday Night Live sketch about a specific political event 30 years later; you get the gist, but some nuances are lost.
### That VHS Shelf Oddity
Finding S.P.Q.R. on VHS felt like unearthing a strange artifact. The cover, likely featuring Nielsen prominently alongside the Italian stars, promised a familiar brand of spoof comedy, but the film delivers something slightly different – broader, more frantic, and unapologetically Italian. It’s not aiming for the clever wordplay of Mel Brooks or the Zucker brothers; it’s more about situational absurdity and character-driven chaos. Remember watching dubbed foreign comedies late at night, the lip-sync slightly off, the humour feeling both familiar and slightly alien? S.P.Q.R. captures that feeling perfectly. It wasn't trying to reinvent the wheel, just give Italian audiences a good laugh about a serious national issue, using the reliable Vanzina/De Sica/Boldi formula with a surprising dash of Hollywood star power.
Rating: 6/10
Justification: The rating reflects the film's specific appeal. It's genuinely funny in parts, features committed performances from its Italian leads, and the Nielsen cameo is a definite curio. The core satire was sharp for its time and place. However, its reliance on specific Italian cultural context and its very broad comedic style limit its universal appeal compared to the American spoofs it might superficially resemble. It’s well-made for its niche but can feel repetitive or slightly bewildering if you're not clued into the specifics or the established De Sica/Boldi dynamic.
Final Thought: S.P.Q.R. is a fascinating time capsule – a uniquely Italian take on political satire wrapped in ancient Roman drag, memorable for snagging a comedy legend for a delightfully unexpected toga party. It’s the kind of film you wouldn't find greenlit today, a true product of its time and place, and exactly the sort of enjoyable oddity that made browsing those video store shelves such an adventure. Worth seeking out if you enjoy discovering the stranger corners of 90s comedy. Ave, Ceasar... and pass the popcorn!