The Fall of the Roman Empire

The Fall of the Roman Empire (DVD) (*)

~~$25.99~~ $22.98

Screened, competed or awarded at:
Golden Globes
Oscar Academy Awards

Language Selections:
English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )

Product Origin/Format:
Australia ( PAL/Region 0 )

Running Time:
185 min

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen

Special Features:
Interactive Menu
Scene Access

Movie filmed in 1964 and produced in:
United States ( USA, Canada )

Directed By:
Anthony Mann

Written By:
Anthony Mann
Ben Barzman
Basilio Franchina

Actors:
Sophia Loren ..... Lucilla
Stephen Boyd ..... Livius
Alec Guinness ..... Marcus Aurelius
James Mason ..... Timonides
Christopher Plummer ..... Commodus
Anthony Quayle ..... Verulus
John Ireland ..... Ballomar
Omar Sharif ..... Sohamus
Mel Ferrer ..... Cleander
Eric Porter ..... Julianus
Finlay Currie ..... Senator
Andrew Keir ..... Polybius
Douglas Wilmer ..... Niger
George Murcell ..... Victorinus
Norman Wooland ..... Virgilianus

Synopsis:

Though Fall of the Roman Empire is now infamous as the epic which destroyed the cinematic 'empire' of producer Samuel Bronston, the film is actually an above-average historical drama, attempting to make sense of the political intrigues which resulted in the dissolution of the Glory That Was Rome. The film begins with wise, diplomatic emperor Marcus Aurelius (Alec Guinness) calling together the various representatives of the many nations within the Empire as a means of securing peace and prosperity for all involved. When Marcus intimates that he intends to turn over his crown to adopted son Livius (Stephen Boyd) rather than the logical successor Commodus (Christopher Plummer), he is poisoned by one of Commodus' cronies. Marcus' daughter Lucilla (Sophia Loren) tries to get Livius to claim the throne, but he wants no part of it; thus, the fate of the empire is in the incompetent hands of the preening Commodus. Despite efforts by cooler heads to save Rome from ruin, Commodus vainly declares himself a god and kills anyone who poses a threat to him. When he learns that Lucilla actually has a stronger claim to the throne than he does, Commodus condemns her to be burned at the stake. Only then does Livius intervene, slaying Commodus and promising to try to pick up the pieces of the disintegrating empire. Attempting to find a common ground between history buffs and action fans, Fall of the Roman Empire has come to be regarded as a classic. Alas, audiences in 1964 had grown weary of epics (especially after the highly touted but disappointing Cleopatra), and failed to turn out in sufficient enough numbers to justify Fall's exorbitant cost. Virtually wiped out, Samuel Bronston would not be able to return to filmmaking until 1971, and then only on a much smaller and more pinchpenny scale.

Following his productions of 'El Cid' and '55 Days at Peking', producer Samuel Bronston completes his trilogy of historical super-spectaculars with this fantastic, action-packed look at the beginnings of the fall of the Roman Empire. Here is the glory, the greed and grandeur that was Rome. Here is the story of personal lust for power, and the shattering effects of that power's loss. Here is the tale of the plight of a people living on the brink of a political abyss.

Action-packed look at the beginnings of the fall of the Roman Empire. Here is the glory, the greed and grandeur that was Rome. Here is the story of personal lust for power, and the shattering effects of that power's loss. Here is the tale of the plight of a people living on the brink of a political abyss.

This product was added to our catalog on Thursday 09 February, 2006.

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