It's heavy-handed, to be sure, but it's fun to watch, thanks to its pageantry and color.
Quo Vadis (1951)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:8
Fresh:7
Rotten:1
Average Rating:6.4/10
Synopsis: MGM turned Henry Sinkiewicz's Nobel Prize-winning novel into one of the most extravagant production in film history. The epic tale is set in the decadence and decay of Nero's Rome, where... MGM turned Henry Sinkiewicz's Nobel Prize-winning novel into one of the most extravagant production in film history. The epic tale is set in the decadence and decay of Nero's Rome, where Christianity is just beginning to foment. Robert Taylor (BILLY THE KID, JOHNNY EAGER) stars as Marcus Vinicius, a Roman military commander who falls in love with Lygia, played by Deborah Kerr (KING SOLOMON'S MINES, THE KING AND I). Lygia has recently converted to Christianity, and Marcus follows suit. The conversion establishes a rift between Marcus and the emperor Nero (Sir Peter Ustinov), who blames the growing religion for the turmoil within his empire, going so far as to throw Christian converts to the lions. But the real appeal of QUO VADIS is the grand Technicolor spectacle of ancient Rome burning, of pagan orgies, of marching armies, and of man-eating lions. Combined with the stunning score by Miklos Rozsa, QUO VADIS is worth watching simply for the orgy of sound and vision it offers. [More]
Starring: Robert Taylor, Deborah Kerr, Peter Ustinov, Leo Genn
Starring: Robert Taylor, Deborah Kerr, Peter Ustinov, Leo Genn, Patricia Laffan, Finlay Currie, Abraham Sofaer, Marina Berti
Director: Mervyn LeRoy
Director: Mervyn LeRoy
Producer: Sam Zimbalist
Screenwriter: John Lee Mahin
Composer: Miklos Rozsa
Reviews for Quo Vadis
By today's standards, Mervyn LeRoy's film is a kitschy spectacle, but in 1951, it was immensely popular and MGM spent its biggest budget to date for a star-driven production that shot for a whole year at Rome's Cinnecitta Studios.
the main reason to watch three hours of Quo Vadis remains Peter Ustinov's striking contribution to Nero lore
Peter Ustinov's delightful over-the-top prissy performance was fun to watch.
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