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IMDbPro

The Fall of the Roman Empire

  • 19641964
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 3h 8m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
9.5K
YOUR RATING
The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)
Watch Official Trailer
Play trailer4:22
2 Videos
80 Photos
DramaHistoryWar
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
9.5K
YOUR RATING
    • Anthony Mann
  • Writers
    • Ben Barzman(screenplay)
    • Basilio Franchina(screenplay)
    • Philip Yordan(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Sophia Loren
    • Stephen Boyd
    • Alec Guinness
    • 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
    • 122User reviews
    • 37Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar

    Videos2

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 4:22
    Watch Official Trailer
    Streaming Passport: The Roman Empire
    Clip 4:38
    Watch 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
    • Lucilla
    Stephen Boyd
    Stephen Boyd
    • Livius
    Alec Guinness
    Alec Guinness
    • Marcus Aurelius
    James Mason
    James Mason
    • Timonides
    Christopher Plummer
    Christopher Plummer
    • Commodus
    Anthony Quayle
    Anthony Quayle
    • Verulus
    John Ireland
    John Ireland
    • Ballomar
    Omar Sharif
    Omar Sharif
    • Sohamus
    Mel Ferrer
    Mel Ferrer
    • Cleander
    Eric Porter
    Eric Porter
    • Julianus
    Finlay Currie
    Finlay Currie
    • Senator
    Andrew Keir
    Andrew Keir
    • Polybius
    Douglas Wilmer
    Douglas Wilmer
    • Niger
    George Murcell
    George Murcell
    • Victorinus
    Norman Wooland
    Norman Wooland
    • Virgilianus
    Michael Gwynn
    Michael Gwynn
    • Cornelius
    Virgilio Teixeira
    Virgilio Teixeira
    • Marcellus
    • (as Virgilio Texera)
    Peter Damon
    • Claudius
      • Anthony Mann
    • Writers
      • Ben Barzman(screenplay)
      • Basilio Franchina(screenplay)
      • Philip Yordan(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more 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 reviews122

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    Historical and epic film with big budget financed by the great producer Samuel Bronston and spectacularly shot in Spain
    The movie deals with the great emperor of Rome , Marco Aurelio (Alec Guinness) , of the dynasty of Antoninos , formed by : Nerva , Trajano , Adriano , Antonino Pio , Marco Aurelio and Commodo (Christopher Plummer , though Richard Harris was originally cast and he withdrew because of artistic differences with the director) . After that , there happens several riots and coups d'etat until Diocleciano , who imposed peace and order with the Tetrarchy . Being dead Marco Aurelio , succeeded his son Commodo , a nutty gladiator emperor , he'll take on his sister Drusilla (Sophia Loren) and Livio (Stephen Boyd replaced Charlton Heston and he blamed the massive commercial failure for ruining his career) . They'll have to fight against German barbarians (commanded by John Ireland) and Persians (ruled by Omar Shariff).

    In the picture there are struggles , epic events , a love history and being very interesting , in spite of the fact that the runtime is overlong : about three hours . Budgeted at about $20 million , this was Paramount's biggest flop of 1964 , its failure cost producer Samuel Bronston his Spanish production facility . Cast and support are frankly well . As Alec Guinness as a stoic and thoughtful philosopher emperor craving the ¨Pax Romana¨ (Latin for the "Peace in Rome¨) is top-notch . Christopher Plummer's interpretation as the nut-head son is first-rate , he was 33 at the time of filming , although his character Commodus became Emperor at the age of 19 ; while other main actors as Stephen Boyd and Sophia Loren are a bit wooden . James Mason as Marco Aurelio's broody and good adviser is excellent . This lavishly financed film was originally intended to be made after El Cid and to reunite Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren . The set for the Forum Romanum was actually being built when Heston rejected the script but expressed an interest in '55 Days at Peking' instead . Samuel Bronston immediately ordered that the work on the Forum be stopped and the landscaping and foundation work be adapted for the Peking set . After filming , the Peking set was torn down and replaced by the Forum , if you look carefully , both sets share a very similar topography . Colosanti and John Moore production design is breathtaking . Battles staged by Yakima Canutt are incredible and impressive . Scenarios are overwhelming : the Roman Forum , Roman Capitol , the temples...the sets are spellbound . Colorful cinematography by the great cameraman Robert Krasker is awesome , similar to Dimitri Tiomkin's fascinating and romantic musical score . Anthony Mann's direction in his last film is spectacular and outstanding . The motion picture didn't achieve success at the box office , it was a real flop and collapsed Samuel Bronston's empire . Rating : Above average . Well worth Watching . Very Good .
    helpful•33
    9
    • ma-cortes
    • Jan 26, 2005

    Details

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    • Release date
      • March 26, 1964 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
    • 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

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 3 hours 8 minutes

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