The Fall of the Roman Empire [VHS]

The Fall of the Roman Empire [VHS]
by Anthony Mann

The Fall of the Roman Empire [VHS]

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Product details

Actor: Alec Guinness, Christopher Plummer, James Mason, Sophia Loren, Stephen Boyd
Director: Anthony Mann
Edition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Original Language), Analog
Format: Color, NTSC
Release Date: 1998-06-26
Audience Rating: Unrated
Publisher: Best Film & Video 2
Studio: Best Film & Video 2

VHS Movie Reviews of The Fall of the Roman Empire [VHS]

Movie Review: The Fall of the Roman Empire
Summary: 5 Stars

Great Movie; I saw it back in 1964 when it first came out. I however like the movie Gadiator (which covers the same period) better.

Movie Review: Review of 3-disc limited edition set for "Roman Empire"
Summary: 5 Stars

The box that holds the Miriam Collection three-DVD limited collector's edition of Anthony Mann's epic FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE (1964) is an extremely well-constucted heavy paper type (similar to greeting card cases, but sturdier). Its cover has a textured matte finish in an ecru shade that's decorated with an embossed actor composite. The film's title appears above this picture in gold colored bas-relief letters.

Stored inside is a 32 page booklet, a repro of the movie's original souvenir program which measures roughly 5" ? 8" that is packed with full-color half page, full page and double page movie stills, plus cast details and commentary.

For those who enjoy DVD extras, here's what you get:
DISC ONE--
* Feature commentary with Bill Bronston (son of producer Samuel Bronston) and Mel Martin (biographer of Samuel Bronston)
* Rome in Madrid: 1964 promotional film
* Original theatrical trailer
* Filmographies
* Still gallery

DISC TWO--
* The rise and fall of an epic production: the making of the film
* The rise and fall of an empire: an historical look at the real Roman Empire
* Hollywood vs. history: an historical analysis
* Dimitri Tiomkin: Scoring the Roman Empire

DISC THREE--
* A collection of historic films about ancient Rome, all shot on the film's sets!

Oh yah... did I mention that the uncut motion picture is also included?
Well it is, in a clean widescreen transfer with stereophonic sound.
This is one terrific collectible!

Movie Review: The Fall of the Roman Empire
Summary: 4 Stars

Before Gladiator, there was The Fall of the Roman Empire. Both films covered the same time period of 180-192 AD. Most of the characters are the same. The protagonist in both films is fictional.

The 1964 film is stunning in its Spanish cinematography. The massive sets are impressive. The script is well written with dialogue that would stimulate the thinker. Dimitri Tiomkin would win the Golden Globe for the musical score, but not the Oscar. Anthony Mann's direction is superb for the most part.

Alex Guinness, later of Star Wars fame, brilliantly portrays Marcus Aurelius. His one desire is for "golden centuries of peace" and "a family of equal nations".

Sophia Loren plays the daughter, Lucilla. Her love for her father and Livius are the two opposite sides of reality which brings her internal conflict.

James Mason is outstanding as Timonides, a Greek Christian and friend to both Marcus and Livius. His best scene is between him and Ballomar, the leader of the northern barbarians. It is a true test of his faith.

Commodus is given vibrant life by Christopher Plummer. Unlike the Gladiator character, this Commodus is not only reckless but thrives on combat. He is no coward, but he is a bit mad.

Much criticism has been heaped on Stephen Boyd's Gaius Metellus Livius. He had a difficult task. Both Charlton Heston and Kirk Douglas had turned down the role. Unfortunately, he does come across lifeless. There is no chemistry between Livius and Lucilla. He is just too restrained in his acting which has to be partly attributed to Mann's direction.

Unfortunately, the film was a financial failure at a cost of over 18 million. The only Oscar nomination was for the musical score.

When this film premi?red in March 1964, the nation was still suffering the loss of John Kennedy. The top films of 1964 included Mary Poppins, My Fair Lady, The Pink Panther, Goldfinger, Father Goose, etc. Definitely, musicals and comedies were the fare that people wanted. Something as serious as the Fall of the Roman Empire was perhaps too realistic of current events in the real world.

To a number of people, the title was misleading. However, in its defense, it is true that after the death of Marcus Aurelius, the Roman Empire began a steep decline. Will Durant of THE STORY OF CIVILIZATION series was the historical consultant.

For me this is a great addition to my historical series. The price is reasonable for such a film.

Movie Review: return to the "Jim movie" days
Summary: 5 Stars

The DVD arrived much quicker than I expected. It was also in excellent shape. I can now have "Jim movie" Sundays again. Thanks for such prompt shipping and I will definitely be ordering more in the future.

Movie Review: Roman Empire Great!!
Summary: 5 Stars

This movie was fantastic. The acting was phenomenal and the scenes were beautiful. The DVD quality was great.

Write your own review

Summary of The Fall of the Roman Empire [VHS]

The second and last of Anthony Mann's historical epics is a smart, handsome spectacle of the decadence, corruption, and intrigue that tears apart the greatest empire the world has seen. The sprawling story spreads itself thin over a number of characters and stories. At the center are handsome but stiff Stephen Boyd as Livius, the loyal soldier and symbolic son of the aging emperor (Alec Guinness), and Christopher Plummer as Commodus, the corrupt heir to the throne--boyhood friends turned enemies when the latter accedes to the throne and sells out the values of his father for greed and hedonistic pleasures. The three-hour running time is filled out with the tales of Sophia Loren (as the beautiful Lucilla in love with Livius but coveted by greedy Commodus) and a gallery of heroes and villains that includes James Mason, Mel Ferrer, Anthony Quayle, John Ireland, Omar Sharif, and Eric Porter. The film is highlighted with spectacular scenes (a grandiose funeral fit for an emperor, brutal battles in the provinces as the barbarians threaten the empire, and a climactic duel to decide the destiny of Rome), which Mann weaves into the shadowy intrigue of the halls of power. Like his previous epic El Cid, The Fall of the Roman Empire remains one of the best of the 1960s epics: well written (and largely historically accurate) with strong performances and a consistently elegant style, but it lacks a central core and the magnetic hero of its superior predecessor. --Sean Axmaker

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