moonspinner55

(2012-05-01 20:01:38)

The highest-grossing film of 1951...now a faded hit

It's 64 A.D., and Nero's Rome is amass with slaves, eunuchs, secretChristians, two Apostles, Peter Ustinov as the fey, half-mad Emperor,and Robert Taylor as Commander Marcus, back from defeating the Britishand in love with Christian Deborah Kerr. Neither Taylor nor Kerr isappropriate for this period, however they do look great in the ornatecostumes and--this being first and foremost a costume-spectacular--bothstars are nearly successful. Leo Genn exudes a quiet, calculatingmasculinity as Petronius, Nero's favorite Council, though Ustinovhimself runs hot and cold as the self-proclaimed god who sang as Romeburned (it's a part written for over-playing, though sharp editing mayhave eliminated the excesses). With all the screaming and rushingabout, Finlay Currie's homily as Peter stands out as a truly stirringmoment (aided by the beautiful art direction in vivid colors). There'splenty of confusion in the script, starting about the time Kerr'sfather the General attempts to explain his adopted daughter's heritage,all the way through to the big arena sequence with lions and Christians("It's monstrous for them to die smiling!" Nero exclaims. "It'sinhuman!"). The film racked up seven Academy Award nominations, and isreputed to have 'saved' M-G-M, but today looks overstated,over-dressed, over-everything. It seems to have been designed solely tobowl us over with sensationalist prestige. Still, at 171 minutes, onedoes begin to yawn. ** from ****

(2012-05-01 08:57:02)

Bread and circuses

One of the epic genre's most reliable warhorses, with at least nine screen adaptations from the first one-reel silent version in 1901 to the 2001 Polish minseries-cum-movie, Henry Sienkiewicz's Quo Vadis in many ways set the template for all the epics about the Roman Empire's persecution of Christians that would follow, from The Sign of the Cross to The Robe. As might be expected from the novel's 1895 vintage, it's more myth than history, but its twin narratives of lovers initially separated by religious differences and later by Nero's need for a scapegoat after the burning of Rome and of the court intrigues as the mad emperor plans his greatest artistic masterpiece offers something for everyone with its mixture of spectacle, cruelty, piety and perversity to get across its message that selfless love is better than selfish ambition. MGM's initially troubled 1951 version may have got off to a false start a couple of years earlier when Gregory Peck, Elizabeth Taylor, Walter Huston and John Huston stumbled at the first hurdle when Peck developed an eye infection three days before they were supposed to leave for Rome even though an estimated million dollars had already been spent, but Mervyn Le Roy's recast completed film is still the definitive one. It might have been a couple of years too early for the wide screen, but it's perfectly placed in time between old school morality - no difficult questions asked here - and more sophisticated and lavish filmmaking than had ever been seen before. While the film has its fair share of model shots and matte paintings, the latter even managing to give the illusion of movement thanks to Peter Ellenshaw's ingenuity, its pre-CGI vintage guarantees it a genuine cast of thousands (a young Sophia Loren lost in the crowd of extras in the triumph scene among them) and massive sets with all the artistry Cinecitta's Italian technicians could give it thanks to MGM's almost blank cheque production. The end result isn't a patch on the level of intelligence and maturity that Roman epics like Ben-Hur and Spartacus would bring to the genre less than a decade later, but it's an impressively staged and mostly entertaining big show that, like the novel, provides something for everyone. For the old school there's Robert Taylor's brash and vain conquering general's romance with Deborah Kerr's Christian hostage who constantly befuddles all his arrogant certainties, which dutifully ticks all the clichГѓВ©d boxes of the genre as he finally Sees The Light and becomes a better person. Taylor's old-fashioned movie star turn is never as wince-inducing as, say, Frederic March's Marcus Superbus in The Sign of the Cross, but he's still effortlessly outmatched by Kerr's sincerity in a thankless role as the good girl with the hots for him while Finlay Currie's sermonising as Peter - complete with reverential tableaux courtesy of Da Vinci - seems more dreary professional than passionate. Much more interesting is the relationship between the cynical poet and courtier Petronius (Leo Genn) and Peter Ustinov's scene-stealing homicidal spoiled brat Nero, as the born survivor uses his wits not to improve matters for the people but to improve his own chances with a kind of bemused detachment before realising the horrifying consequences of all his flattery. Petronius and the slave who loves him (Marina Berti) even get the film's best love theme in Miklos Rozsa's impressive score. All this and Anthony Mann's fire of Rome scene making a decent stab at making the burning of Atlanta look like a backyard bonfire and all the Christians, lions and crucifixions you could want in the arena giving it that essential mixture of piety and exploitation that lets the audience enjoy the carnage and decadence of the bread and circuses as much as their Roman forebears without losing their sense of moral superiority. Nero would have approved - though he would have wanted to change the ending... It's a handsome looking film and Warner Home Video's restoration mostly does it proud. The film's popularity over the past six decades had taken quite a toll on the original negative, with TV and video prints bleached out and undetailed, but a lot of work has gone into restoring the color and definition to make it look almost as good as it did when it came out. There are a few minor niggles here and there where a patch of green in the wrong place makes its presence felt for a couple of frames (a common problem with early Technicolor) and it's irritating that the DVD is spread over two DVDs with the scene break in the middle of a sequence, but otherwise there's little to complain about (not a problem with the single-disc Bluray, though the picture quality is not a huge upgrade from the DVD). Along with the striking teaser trailer built around a still of the triumph scene that appeared in Life Magazine and the full five-and-a-half minute trailer there's an audio commentary by F.X. Feeney and a 43-minute documentary. Unfortunately there's a real lack of behind the scenes footage, no-one involved in the making of the film participates, and none of the talking heads have researched the film in detail (Richard Schickel in particular feels like he just offered a few soundbites while being interviewed about another film, though Christopher Frayling is typically good value), but it is a decent overview of the genre and its unpopularity with critics and appeal to audiences.

(2012-04-29 22:38:34)

bluy ray is the best version yet

This review is from: Quo Vadis [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray) The blu ray version is the best yet of this classic epic movie. A very large budget epic based on a novel. And it features the monstrous nero as played by peter ustinov as a true sociopathic madman. We do know that nero did indeed fiddle as rome burned but he in reality didn't start the fire. However he needed scapegoats and found them in the christians. The movie has him set the city alight but who cares it's still great entertainment! Robert taylor does a great job here as the roman commander and leo glenn as a cynical confidant of NERO is also brilliant. Deborah kerr who never had a bad performance in her life also shines as a roman slavegirl. But back to the print , the blu ray looks alot better than a standard print but they didn't remove artifacts in some scenes. These are rare , like a few lines in the print in a few scenes and several jumps do to loss of movie frames. This should have been fixed (studios need to grasp that fact!) but these instances are rare and mostly the flick just looks outstanding! However they did remove alot of dirt from the print, and restored the color. this is something that even more modern prints are not getting sometimes. This movie was a major hit and it still has a great story and great acting that makes it a great color movie to watch. In black and white spectacle and period shows unless they are film noir ,look flat and take away from the production. This is full color and it was never shot in widescreen so that's not a issue. It's at the ratio it was filmed here. And lastly why doesn't amazon.com seperate vhs, dvd, and especially blu ray reviews? this needs to be fixed. This movie is a great movie that is closer to the novel that true history and that's ok because in any version of reality NERO is the antichrist. His number is 666 after all!. So sit back and enjoy the spectacle of a expensive mgm masterpiece. With deluxe sets and top notch acting. And the best look yet on blu ray , even if there are a few flaws they are not around too much so grab this one instead of a standard dvd. And Wb's should be applauded for the time and effort they did to restore this movie.

Fran Robins

(2012-04-29 17:17:13)

The Lions

Quo VadisDIRECTION 87%Style and a fascinating look at anicent times and people with realisticscenes of grand roman power! Watch out for the lions, no unrealisticcomputer graphics here!ACTING 79%Very good in many scenes by the leads which doesn't distract from the mainstory.EDITING/SPECIAL EFFECTS 94%The combat scenes are realistic and tension filled!PLOT 81%A fight for survivor in a Roman city with romance in thebackdrop.STRONG WORDS AND VIOLENCE ETC. 92%No strong language here.... but seeing nice humans being killed in such away may make you think this is not a family movie.MUSIC 50%Suits the atmosphere, but is not that noticeable.SOUND 87%Those animal sound are realistic to me!HOOKABILITY 89%The bigger the viewing screen the more attractive Qua Vadis feels toyou!LASTABILITY 93%You might want to skip the middle talking section and get into the realdrama.OVERALL 89%Could have been better acted and added more emotional elements, you aregoing to be feed to lions you know!

(2012-04-28 17:13:29)

Left me in the lurch

This review is from: Quo Vadis [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray) I purchased this DVD to show to a small group. When I tested the DVD, it would not play. Wound up calling Blockbuster (they didn't have it) and finally located a public library that had it. Lot of time wasted - and a more wary man in the future...

(2012-04-28 01:42:37)

Great Addition to Any Bible Collection

This review is from: Quo Vadis (Two-Disc Special Edition) (DVD) Great movie for those who like the Rome/Jesus era. We added this newer collector's edition recently (not widescreen, though) to our growing Bible-type collection. The fire scene was a little scary for our younger ones (but then again we actually have had a house fire so maybe not such an issue for others) and I'm not a fan of suicide scenes (no matter how mild it is), but overall a real success for our family.

(2012-04-27 02:10:29)

a tremendous film., and disturbing

this is, IMO, the best of all of the christian epics. including "ben hur" and "the ten commandments." it's magnificent in scope and in detail, and more human and passionate than it's competitors.but this film is not for children. the scenes at the end, with the lions, are among the most terrifying in movie history. death is scary enough, and execution terrifying, and this adds an extraordinary element to it.as a society, we once exposed children to too much violendce. we've learned since then, and i think it is important to turn this dvd off near the end if children are watching.

(2012-04-26 18:31:44)

You should see Quo Vadis!

This review is from: Quo Vadis (Two-Disc Special Edition) (DVD) I obtained this because I wanted to see the first Biblical epic, and I was really impressed with the acting and with the sets, and most of all the story. I thought that the conflict between Robert Taylor as the Roman Marcus Vinicius and Deborah Kerr as the Christian Lygia was captivating, as she slowly turns him around from his beliefs. I like it that the sets and grandeur did not ever distract from the character development, and it was fascinating to me to see how historical and fictional events were mixed in the story, especially with the inclusion of the Apostles Paul and Peter and the way the fire of Rome starts. In fact, Nero did not necessarily cause the fire in Rome and organized relief efforts afterward, but he did blame the Christians; in Quo Vadis, Poppaea, Nero's sinister wife, persuades him to blame the Christians out of spite that Marcus Vinicius loves Lygia instead of her. I really enjoyed the documentary and audiocommentary on this, as well. There are really only 3 things I wish were different on the movie:1. Mainly, Marcus Vinicius's conversion is rather humanistic. He prays to Christ near the end for help, and recognizes that Christians know how to die bravely and that Christianity brings peace and stability to the world through its message of love for one's enemies, but there is no indication of a special personal yielding to God. The audiocommentary talked about John Huston's (who was going to be the director, and who actually had no use for religion) idea of Marcus's conversion, which I think I'd have liked better: As he's trying to rescue Lygia from the fire in Rome, he makes a promise to God to become a Christian if He spares Lygia and gains understanding of the faith after he's rescued her.2. Finlay Currie as the Apostle Peter definitely has the passion and holy aura, especially with his long white beard, but he did seem unrealistic because of his Scottish accent. At the same time, it's not supposed to be entirely authentic, and part of the appeal of a movie that takes place long ago is that you feel like you're entering another world, which is enjoyable whether it's realistic or not.3. Marcus's uncle Petronius (who really was in Nero's court and lost favor) commits suicide and justifies himself by noting the Christians say death leads to a better life, and I think there should have been some kind of a condemnation of his suicide subtly presented in the movie. Movies send moral messages, and I wish Petronius had not been shown so favorably all the way through, because then his suicide would not elicit a sympathetic reaction from the viewer. I was hoping there could be an obvious contrast between his choice of suicide and the Christians' choice of martyrdom that would show martyrdom, the more painful kind of death, as being preferable because God is honored by that and not by suicide. Even a line or two of dialogue about that from one of the main characters (like Marcus, Petronius's nephew) after they'd hear of Petronius's death would have been satisfactory.However, to most viewers, having a strongly Christian statement is not as important as it is to me, and I found absolutely nothing offensive about Quo Vadis; I just wish it had gone farther in its affirmation of Christianity. Aside from that minor disappointment, I enjoyed the movie very much and enjoyed the special features equally well, and even though Nero is deranged, you can't help but enjoy him because Peter Ustinov is such a comedic actor! I thought the acting on the movie was really exemplary.

(2012-04-26 09:20:07)

I don't understand.....

I did not purchase this, so do not understand why I'm being asked to review it.

(2012-04-25 13:57:25)

quo vadis rocks

Even though i am not old enough to have seen many movies of Robert Taylor he is awesome compared to the acting of our leading men now and not only that but no leading actor now can compare to this handsome classically beautiful man (ROCKS)

(2012-04-25 04:48:42)

Quo Vadis.(Blue Ray)

This review is from: Quo Vadis [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray) From Australia. As a former Film Projectionist I screened this film over a 10 month period at the Metro Theatre in Melbourne Australia in the late 1950s.This Blue Ray print is nothing short of 'out of this world.' Not one blemish or artifact. Like receiving a new print for screening at the theatre, and believe you me I watched this DVD with a critical eye.Veryvery HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Thomas Knight.ALC.ACA.AFFPA. Wintergarden Community Film and Television Services.(Aust)

(2012-04-24 13:50:32)

Biblical days Classics

This review is from: Quo Vadis (Two-Disc Special Edition) (DVD) At last a version worthy of having. This special edition is excellent - both sound and color and presentation.Though this was never one of my favorite films - I just didn't like many of the actors in those particular roles - it is a classic tale in those days after Christ and during the period of Nero. Full of spectacle and drama and the Burning of Rome, and not to mention the killing of Christians in the arena, there is a lot packed into this very long drama. Because I am a lover of classic movies and historical-based epics, it is an added addition to my library and will be to yours.Good to see it restored in its original splendor though where it breaks at the end of disc one could have been broken with Intermission or the like - especially in these films that require part two on a separate disc. Don't know how theatrical you want to make it at home, but adds to the experience and charm of the movie. I often wonder if these people at the studios marketing divisions ever actually are true movie buffs and put any thought in to how discs are compiled. Come on guys - some of us like that full theatrical experience - that is why we have home theater systems.Excellent special features add to a great disc set. Great classic!

(2012-04-24 19:29:21)

QV is pre-Widescreen

Though I agree this is a great movie due for DVD release, it can't be anamorphic widescreen as it came out in 1951, two years before "Widescreen" movies debuted (excepting early experiments like 1927's Napoleon or 1930's Big Trail with John Wayne).

(2012-04-24 04:42:24)

Quo Vadis

This review is from: Quo Vadis / Movie [VHS] (VHS Tape) I purchased this for my neighbor. I saw it when it first was made a long time ago. My neighbor is reading the book for a religious book club and had never seen the film. Amazon was about the only place that carried the film.

zetes

(2012-04-22 22:37:42)

Christians sure are boring. Luckily, there're pagans, too

The first of the big Biblical/ancient epics of the 1950s and '60s.Hardly the best, though. It's a film I was quite clearly mixed about -one half of it I found a total bore, the other half I was in love with.No prizes for guessing how I felt about which. Quo Vadis is, of course,the story of young Christianity during the rule of Emperor Nero inRome. The Christians meet in secret (with St. Peter and St. Paul) andare mostly harmless at first. Nero is kind of a pretentious dope andfairly harmless, too, until he decides he must set fire to Rome fortrue artistic inspiration. Afterward, however, the poo hits the fan andhe scapegoats Christians to get the heat off of him. Oh, and there's alove story. Yes, it's the love story that sinks Quo Vadis. RobertTaylor is an army leader who falls for hottie Deborah Kerr. She's aChristian, though, and that eventually leads him to the lion's den(where he finally accepts the religion). Taylor has to be one of theblandest actors of all time and, I hate to say this, Kerr is no betterin this film. She sure is beautiful, but one just has to roll theireyes at her utter piety. Her love for him is ridiculously abrupt. Onescene she is spurning him, the next she has always been in love. Oh, ifonly the film were all about Nero! Peter Ustinov is hammy as Hell, buthow else do you play Nero? And no one (whom I've seen) has ever done itbetter, not even Charles Laughton. He of course was nominated for BestSupporting Actor, as was Leo Genn as Petronius (historically thischaracter was more like Seneca, who is a very minor character here).Genn is okay, but rather forgettable after Ustinov. The only otherperformer who deserves mention is Patricia Laffan as Nero's wife,Poppaea. Oh, and Peter and Paul are here, but the film loves to forgetthey even exist. There's a brief shot of the infamous upside downcrucifixion, but it's quickly passed by for more dull romance.

(2012-04-22 18:58:06)

QUO VADIS

This review is from: Quo Vadis [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray) THE MOVIE IS AN EXCELLENT MOVIE IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE BLU-RAY ADDED THE FINAL TOUCHES TO CONFIRM THIS STORY AS THE MILE-STONE THAT IT IS. IF YOU WANT TO REALLY BE ENTERTAINED WTIH A MOVIE THAT HAS SUBSTANCE, AND NOT JUST FLUFF, QUO VADIS RATES UP THERE WITH BEN-HUR, THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, AND A.D. AS EPICS-ESPECIALLY WITH BLUE-RAY COLORS!

(2012-04-22 13:37:11)

Spectacular Roman epic

This review is from: Quo Vadis (1951) [VHS] (VHS Tape) I have to say that Quod Vadis is a film to make am impression lasting a lifetime. There was a remake in the eighties, but it never amounted to much and after seeing this grand production it is easy to understand why. The storyline is decidedly Christian, but in a wonderful way. By the end you feel uplifted at the thought of being Christian. We double checked many of the historical facts and yes many of the historical facts are indeed true. We watched it in two evening due to its length, and if there were a third part I would watch it tonight. There is not enough good I can say about this movie.

(2012-04-22 02:23:17)

A musical review.......

Miklos Rozsa did a terrific job in composing the music for this movie. The great passion and emotion he can communicate is unsurpassed. In my opinion as a freelance composer it was very difficult to write the music for this tremendous film. It requiered a kind of kaleidoscopic character, each scene needed its own aura, its own color and unlike most filmscores it does not and it can not consist of short flimflams, each scene needed its own musical movement. The most I like the `Christ is King` theme for choir wich is also sung by the matyrs in the arena. A song wich is unstoppable and will not die or fade away, it is the centerstone of the Quo Vadis' musical climax.

Gooper

(2012-04-21 03:56:36)

The Big One!

It is a great pleasure to see so many comments here that areenthusiastic about 'Quo Vadis'. I just saw it again last night afterabout 15 years, and I marvelled at what a high quality spectacle it is- better than ever, in fact.In his autobiography, 'Take One', Mervyn LeRoy has some great storiesabout 'Quo Vadis'. Such as: while filming one of the really big crowdscenes, a voice pipes up from the extras: 'Hey Moy-vin!', and it's JackBenny. And in a scene right out of one of his pictures, when 'QuoVadis' is screened in San Francisco, and LeRoy is present, the theatrehappens to be right near the corner where the big-time director oncesold papers as a kid. He revisits the corner after the screening andsheds a few tears. LeRoy was an extra in C.B. DeMille's first 'TenCommandments', so the desire to deliver something DeMillian wasrealized at last, and with smashing success.We all agree on Peter Ustinov's ingenious performance, so all I need toadd is that in his own autobiography, 'Dear Me', Sir Peter'srecollections of the filming are as wonderful as his performance.Whatever his capabilities as an actor, I always thought that BobTaylor's performance was pretty darn good, and appropriate, too: whathigh-ranking Roman officer wouldn't be pompous? In any case, the storyis much larger than Marcus' character, and the story comes to dominatethe picture.It is indeed a pity that the excellent Rozsa score wasn't handled bythe Warners sound department, where it would have been been presentedto full effect Much of its impact is squandered by its being kept inthe background. I don't think Merv LeRoy had so much to do with thisdecision, as his alma mater was Warners (try watching 'AnthonyAdverse'!) It seems that it was probably MGM policy. With sensitivity,a DVD version could perhaps offer the picture with a 'sweetened'soundtrack.The quality of the camera work by solid professionals Bob Surtees(later MGM's UltraPanavision 70 specialist) and Wm V. Skall (his workon 'The Silver Chalice' was outstanding) really cannot be overstated.Along with the delights of Sir Peter's performance, I still get chokedup when noble Buddy Baer takes on that bull, and when Marina Berti'scharacter displays so much love and devotion to Leo Genn's. Genn isright up there with James Mason in quality, and indeed, Mason may havetaken a few pointers from Genn's performance for his own acting insubsequent epics. Patricia Laffan is decadently sexy without beingcampy.Trivia: scenes for the burning of Rome were sensibly used in MGM's 'The7 Faces of Dr. Lao' and 'Atlantis, The Lost Continent' to great effect.It is a credit to Merv LeRoy for allowing great actors like PeterUstinov and Leo Genn to 'do their thing'.'Quo Vadis' is a classic: a stunning spectacle, intelligent, goodscript, fine performances by practically everybody, and it remains longin the memory, and holds up well indeed.

Spicy Cupcake

(2012-04-20 13:24:48)

Awesome movie

this is a great movie. Especially when you think of the time when it was made and the fact that when this was made there were no special effects. All those people and most of those sets are real. Even, though this is during the depression and there wasn't that much money. When you think of it this is an amazing feat, and it is also a really good storyline and acting.