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17 user 7 critic

Androcles and the Lion (1952)

Approved | | Adventure , Comedy | 9 January 1953 (USA)
Androcles and the Lion Poster
Story of a Christian in ancient Rome who befriends a lion.

Directors:

Chester Erskine, Nicholas Ray (uncredited)

Writers:

Chester Erskine (screen adaptation), Ken Englund (screen adaptation)

Stars:

Jean Simmons, Victor Mature, Alan Young | See full cast & crew »
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Photos

See all 16 photos »
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Cast

Cast overview:
Jean Simmons ... Lavinia
Victor Mature ... Captain
Alan Young ... Androcles
Robert Newton ... Ferrovius
Maurice Evans ... Emperor Antoninus (Caesar)
Elsa Lanchester ... Megaera
Reginald Gardiner ... Lentulus
Gene Lockhart ... Menagerie Keeper
Alan Mowbray ... Editor of Gladiators
Noel Willman ... Spintho
John Hoyt ... Cato
Jim Backus ... Centurion
Lowell Gilmore ... Metellus
Woody Strode ... The Lion
See full cast »
Edit

Storyline

Androcles is a Christian who follows that religion's teachings even as they apply to the treatment of animals. Seeing a lion in pain, he removes a huge thorn from the beast's paw, creating a friend for life. Androcles and a number of other Christians are evenutally arrested and condemned to death in the arena. They are to die by being eaten by lions. Is it too much to hope that one of the lions may have a paw that has healed recently and might remember who helped heal it? Written by Ron Kerrigan <mvg@whidbey.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

christians vs. lions | lion | arena | ancient rome | soldier | See All (25) »

Taglines:

TEN TIMES GREATER ON THE SCREEN! (original print ad-all caps) See more »

Genres:

Adventure | Comedy

Certificate:

Approved | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
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Details

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 January 1953 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Bernard Shaw's Androcles and the Lion See more »

Filming Locations:

Hollywood, California, USA
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Box Office

Budget:

$1,250,000 (estimated)
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

After principal filming was completed, Howard Hughes decided the film needed some extra sprucing up. He had Nicholas Ray shoot a "Vestal Virgin Bathing Sequence" which immediately ran afoul with censors and enraged producer Gabriel Pascal, amongst others. The sequence was eventually deleted from release prints. See more »

Goofs

The Christians sing "Onward, Christian Soldiers" - a hymn published in 1871. See more »

Crazy Credits

Opening credits prologue: ROME 161 A.D. IN THE REGION OF THE EMPEROR ANTONINUS See more »

Connections

Features The Last Days of Pompeii (1935) See more »

Soundtracks

Onward, Christian Soldiers
(uncredited)
Music by Arthur Sullivan
Words by Sabine Baring-Gould
sung by the marching Christian martyrs
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Another unwanted bashing
30 January 2006 | by dropzone2001 – See all my reviews

I remember this movie fondly as a very young child. The reviewer may have seen this film many years later, but at the time, it was a believable and wonderful film to watch. I was moved to tears (believe it or not) by the plot and the main character (Alan Young) who later took the role he was most famous for opposite that stupid horse on Mr. Ed. The film, however, is the thing I remember and will always hold close to my heart. It's really too bad that the nice bubbles we hold close get burst so easily by people how have no clue they are even doing such a disservice. It's OK though. It's why I don't read or listen to reviews and I will continue to avoid them in the future.
15 of 27 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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