- Film Review
- Reviewed By Tony Sloman
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4 out of 5
Producer Samuel Bronston's legacy of six European-shot epics looks more admirable as the years pass, and leaves one aching to see them once more in their full cinematic glory. Even on TV, though, they tend to impress, thanks to fine casting, superb art direction and majestic scoring. This is no exception - there's excellent chariot action and a wonderful, if brief, performance by Alec Guinness as Marcus Aurelius. Sophia Loren has seldom looked lovelier, and the screenplay with its nods to historian Edward Gibbon is resolutely intelligent. The distinguished support cast ensures that this long movie never palls, and director Anthony Mann supplies his usual finesse, plus some exquisite widescreen vistas.
Plot Summary
Historical epic starring Sophia Loren and Stephen Boyd and featuring Alec Guinness. The Roman Empire falls into the hands of the unstable, corrupt Commodus, whose insane pride leads to cruelty and revolt. Caught up in the turmoil are his sister, Lucilla, and Livius, the soldier who should have become emperor.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Lucilla
- Sophia Loren
- Livius
- Stephen Boyd
- Marcus Aurelius
- Alec Guinness
- Commodus
- Christopher Plummer
- Timonides
- James Mason
- Sohamus
- Omar Sharif
- Verulus
- Anthony Quayle
- Ballomar
- John Ireland
- Cleander
- Mel Ferrer
- Julianus
- Eric Porter
- Niger
- Douglas Wilmer
- Claudius
- Peter Damon
- Polybius
- Andrew Keir
- Victorinus
- George Murcell
- Helva
- Lena von Martens
Crew
- Director
- Anthony Mann
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