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IMDbPro

The Fall of the Roman Empire

  • 19641964
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 3h 8m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
9.2K
YOUR RATING
The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)
Watch ’Official Trailer’
Play trailer4:22
2 Videos
80 Photos
  • Drama
  • History
  • War
The death of Marcus Aurelius leads to a succession crisis, in which the deceased emperor's son, Commodus, demonstrates that he is unwilling to let anything undermine his claim to the Roman E... Read allThe death of Marcus Aurelius leads to a succession crisis, in which the deceased emperor's son, Commodus, demonstrates that he is unwilling to let anything undermine his claim to the Roman Empire.The death of Marcus Aurelius leads to a succession crisis, in which the deceased emperor's son, Commodus, demonstrates that he is unwilling to let anything undermine his claim to the Roman Empire.
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
9.2K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Anthony Mann
  • Writers
    • Ben Barzman(screenplay)
    • Basilio Franchina(screenplay)
    • Philip Yordan(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Sophia Loren
    • Stephen Boyd
    • Alec Guinness
Top credits
  • Director
    • Anthony Mann
  • Writers
    • Ben Barzman(screenplay)
    • Basilio Franchina(screenplay)
    • Philip Yordan(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Sophia Loren
    • Stephen Boyd
    • Alec Guinness
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 118User reviews
    • 36Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 1 win & 2 nominations total

    Videos2

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 4:22
    Official Trailer
    Streaming Passport: The Roman Empire
    Clip 4:38
    Streaming Passport: The Roman Empire

    Photos80

    Anthony Quayle in The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)
    Alec Guinness, Sophia Loren, and Stephen Boyd in The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)
    Sophia Loren and Stephen Boyd in The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)
    Alec Guinness and James Mason in The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)
    Sophia Loren and Stephen Boyd in The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)
    The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)
    Alec Guinness and James Mason in The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)
    Sophia Loren, Stephen Boyd, and Christopher Plummer in The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)
    "Fall Of The Roman Empire," Sophia Loren." 1969 Samuel Bronston
    Christopher Plummer at an event for The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)
    The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)
    The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Sophia Loren
    Sophia Loren
    • Lucillaas Lucilla
    Stephen Boyd
    Stephen Boyd
    • Liviusas Livius
    Alec Guinness
    Alec Guinness
    • Marcus Aureliusas Marcus Aurelius
    James Mason
    James Mason
    • Timonidesas Timonides
    Christopher Plummer
    Christopher Plummer
    • Commodusas Commodus
    Anthony Quayle
    Anthony Quayle
    • Verulusas Verulus
    John Ireland
    John Ireland
    • Ballomaras Ballomar
    Omar Sharif
    Omar Sharif
    • Sohamusas Sohamus
    Mel Ferrer
    Mel Ferrer
    • Cleanderas Cleander
    Eric Porter
    Eric Porter
    • Julianusas Julianus
    Finlay Currie
    Finlay Currie
    • Senatoras Senator
    Andrew Keir
    Andrew Keir
    • Polybiusas Polybius
    Douglas Wilmer
    Douglas Wilmer
    • Nigeras Niger
    George Murcell
    George Murcell
    • Victorinusas Victorinus
    Norman Wooland
    Norman Wooland
    • Virgilianusas Virgilianus
    Michael Gwynn
    Michael Gwynn
    • Corneliusas Cornelius
    Virgilio Teixeira
    Virgilio Teixeira
    • Marcellusas Marcellus
    • (as Virgilio Texera)
    Peter Damon
    • Claudiusas Claudius
    • Director
      • Anthony Mann
    • Writers
      • Ben Barzman(screenplay)
      • Basilio Franchina(screenplay)
      • Philip Yordan(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The symbol Timonides wears around his neck is a staurogram, an early symbol of Christianity. It's the only mention of Christianity in this movie.
    • Goofs
      It is general opinion that Marcus Aurelius was not assassinated, neither by poison, as in THE FALL, nor by asphyxiation, as in Ridley Scott's GLADIATOR. Instead the general conclusion is that MA died of disease, aggravated by exhaustion after endless years of constant fighting.
    • Quotes

      Livius: A few days longer, Caesar, we'll bring you his head.

      Marcus Aurelius: No Livius, please don't bring me his head. I wouldn't know what to do with it.

    • Crazy credits
      The Paramount logo did not appear on American prints.
    • Alternate versions
      The film was cut a number of times, from 187 minutes to 185 to 165 to 158. The very first scene to go was one between Commodus and Livius in the middle of their drinking session on arriving at the German fort. As they go upstairs to pick out two of the hostage German women, Commodus explains that he is on the horns of not a dilemma by a trilemma - if there are gods, they have decided what he will do so it doesn't matter whether he is good or bad; if there are no gods, then it simply doesn't matter if he leads a good or a bad life; and if he himself is a god, then he gets to decide what is good or bad. That is why, if you listen carefully, you can hear the gods laughing... The omission of this scene explains that incredibly abrupt cut from them going upstairs to Commodus trying to force a drink on the German girl. There are a number of cuts in the other versions, most notably the second scene with Marcus Aurelius and Lucilla; most of Timonides' big speech to the Senate about accepting the barbarians into the Empire; and the scene where Livius tries to appeal to the Senate after failing to sway Commodus in the temple only for them to turn against him and arrest him. In some prints, the first scene after the intermission, of Lucilla leaving Marcus Aurelius' meditations in the temple for safekeeping is also dropped. Sadly, the only version that was ever released uncut was the Super 8mm feature release back in the early 1990s, which was taken from the original 16mm neg that was struck before any of the cuts were made but which was prohibitively expensive.
    • Connections
      Featured in Claudius: Boy of Ancient Rome (1964)

    User reviews118

    Review
    Top review
    One of the best of the 60s epics
    This film really should be seen on a big screen, in Panavision. The spectacle is breathtaking, immensely aided by Robert Krasker's superb photography, ranging from the misty forests and snowscapes of Northern Europe to the brilliant sunlit colours of Rome.

    But the actors aren't outdone. Alec Guinness and James Mason lend the production a touch of class, whilst Christopher Plummer's dissolute emperor is a splendidly monstrous figure. Watch out too for old Finlay Currie, Magwitch in "Great Expectations", as an aged Senator.
    helpful•20
    10
    • heedarmy
    • Jan 3, 2000

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 26, 1964 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Der Untergang des Römischen Reiches
    • Filming locations
      • Sierra de Guadarrama Mountain Range, Segovia, Castilla y León, Spain
    • Production company
      • Samuel Bronston Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $19,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      3 hours 8 minutes

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