Martin Rackin, born in 1918, was a notable American writer whose work in The Barbarians (1960) showcased his flair for crafting engaging narratives. Known for his fast-talking style and vibrant personality, Rackin brought a distinctive energy to the film, contributing to its cult status within the exploitation genre. His brief tenure as head of production at Paramount Pictures in the early 1960s further highlights his influence in shaping the cinematic landscape of that era.
The Barbarians
Revak is an Iberian prince from Penda, a small island by the Iberian Peninsula, at the time of the Second Punic War. The Carthaginian fleet pillages his homeland and enslaves the surviving native men, including him. After an eventful passage aboard a galley he arrives in Carthage and becomes an elephant driver. He is courted by local noblewomen and a virtuous Roman captive named Valeria, but puts love aside in his obsession with revenge against Carthage. As the best means of obtaining this revenge Revak pledges himself to Rome, which wants hegemony in the Mediterranean Sea and shares his desire to see Carthage destroyed.
