Roman Legion-Hare (1955)
Roman Legion-Hare Review
Roman Legion-Hare is a 1955 animated short film from the Looney Tunes series. It is a terrific short.
Set in Roman period, the short is about a captain played by Yosemite Sam who, under the command of Emperor Nero, has to go find a new victim for the lions in the arena. Of course, Sam bumps on Bugs Bunny himself, which results in the two chasing and eventually Bugs makes a fool of him when the lions chase both Sam and Nero apparently to their death. Yes, death was hinted in that incredibly dark, but hilarious ending that was perfectly crafted in every second.
It also felt natural given that the build-up with the lions in an underground tunnel was very well established as they already attacked Sam at that point. That entire sequence was brilliant, funny and also gorgeously animated. I loved the Roman setting in this short with the background work being particularly strong. Bugs is very good here, but admittedly Yosemite Sam steals the show as he is very memorable in a different role for him. The short is great, but it could have been more eventful in the first half.
