Curse of the Faceless Man

An archaeologist uncovers a jewel box and the calcified body of a gladiator at Pompeii. The body unexpectedly comes to life during transport, killing the driver of the truck carrying it. The body is later found several meters away, reanimated and seemingly dead again, leaving no witnesses or clear explanation.

Dr. Carlo Fiorello, the museum director, enlists Dr. Paul Mallon to study the mysterious body. Fiorello is uncertain if the body is truly dead, and Paul notices fresh blood on its hands, hinting at the possibility of the body being alive.

Dr. Emanuel translates Etruscan writing on a bronze brooch found with the body, revealing a curse placed by Quintillus Aurelius, the gladiator. This ancient curse suggests the gladiator's reanimation is linked to a mystical or supernatural cause.

Tina, an artist and Paul's fiancée, shows him a portrait of Quintillus based on her dreams. She claims Quintillus is coming for her, which causes Paul to grow increasingly worried about her safety.

While Tina sketches at the museum, Quintillus awakens and approaches her. A watchman shoots at Quintillus, but the bullets have no effect, revealing his supernatural resilience. Quintillus then kills the watchman and leaves a bronze brooch on Tina's jacket.

The scientists prove Quintillus can move when the brooch is near him. He attacks the scientists, knocking Paul unconscious and heading to Tina's apartment. Quintillus is later found immobilized again after an attack.

Quintillus is restrained at the museum, where Dr. Fiorillo explains his revival through radioactivity and X-ray exposure. Emanuel suggests the revival is linked to volcanic radioactivity from Mount Vesuvius's ancient eruption.

Emanuel takes Tina to the 'Cove of the Blind Fisherman' and hypnotizes her, revealing her ancient love for Quintillus and her connection to Pompeii’s eruption. She describes the eruption as if it is happening and recognizes her ancient portrait.

In her trance, Tina describes her relationship with Quintillus and how she was an aristocrat in ancient Pompeii. Emanuel shows her a sculpture of a woman resembling Tina, confirming her past life connection.

Quintillus, in a trance, rescues Tina from the impending eruption by carrying her into the waters of the Cove. Miraculously, he dissolves in the seawater, ending his reanimated existence and saving Tina from the volcanic destruction.

Paul rescues Tina, who cannot remember the events, and Quintillus's reanimation and the supernatural events are resolved as he dissolves into the sea. The film concludes with the ancient curse and supernatural elements being laid to rest.