In his generous, slightly patronizing New York Times review, Vincent Canby noted the movie's evocation of "Flash Gordon" serials and "a variety of literature that is nothing if not eclectic: 'Quo Vadis?
Time Out praised it for a"sly evocation of the absurdities and banalities of modern life", while The Telegraph said that"The film's sweetness and bitterness are held so perfectly in balance, and realised with such sinew-stiffening intensity, that watching it feels like a three-hour sports massage for your heart and soul.
