HotToastyRag
The 1950s produced many, many period piece epics. Most of them weren't very good, which is why the classics we watch every Easter are so revered. But in Technicolor splendor, it's easy to see why Hollywood was so anxious to expose audiences to the grand world of King Arthur, Robin Hood, and other Biblical or Middle Ages stories.Quo Vadis is one of the many, and like its counterparts, it doesn't really stand out from the crowd, despite a very valiant effort. On paper, it's pretty similar to Ben-Hur: it's set and filmed in Rome, has several epic adventurous scenes that include special effects and thousands of extras, and the plot involves cruel Roman rule and the birth of Christianity. There's even a chariot race scene!Although nominated for eight Oscars, Quo Vadis isn't the film most of us remember fondly and watch every April. Why not? Well, no offense to Deborah Kerr, but it's the acting. Robert Taylor and Deborah Kerr star in this one, and Robert Taylor is no match for Charlton Heston's emotional range. Peter Ustinov plays the deranged, foppish, silly Emperor Nero, and every time he's on the screen you either want to burst out laughing or leave the room in search of more popcorn. He's just awful, and unfortunately, he has a pretty big part. I can't really think of any reason to sit through this one, unless you're the one person in the world who doesn't absolutely love Ben-Hur. Watch this and then you'll love the other by comparison.
PimpinAinttEasy
Quo Vadis is an engaging costume drama about life in Nero's Rome.The film is a love story between a roman soldier and a captive Christian woman. It is about the conflict between the pagans and the Christians and the persecution of Christians under Nero's rule. It is about Nero and his relationship with his sister and Petronius (who wrote Satyricon). There are a few sub plots as well - one involving Petronius' intense love affair with a slave (played by Martina Berti).The Christians in Rome look down on the debauchery of the pagan rulers while the pagans look at the Christians with a certain amount of fear. In a prolonged scene, a Christian priest conducts a secret meeting with some underground Christians. Parallels can be drawn to today's world where Muslims look down on the debauchery of the Westen world while the West consider Muslims to be backward.The action is limited to a chariot chase sequence and then the bloody finale in the coliseum. Quo Vadis is more of a drama than an action film like BENHUR or GLADIATOR. But the coliseum scene is spectacular. While not as opulent as CLEOPATRA, there are many epic scenes and long shots involving thousands of extras.I watched it in two sittings. I was impressed by Leo Glenn as Petronius. Deborah Kerr was very erotic even when she played a tame but devout Christian woman. Peter Ustinov nailed the role of the boorish Nero physically. But his dialog delivery was too theatrical. Marina Berti was nice eye candy. Robert Taylor was effortlessly macho as the Roman soldier.I bet Martin Scorsese loves this film.(7/10)
m-ozfirat
Apart from the good costume drama an excellent performance by Peter Ustinov and excellent orchestra this movie is nothing but Propaganda. First of all this was not a historical event though the characters are based on historical figures. It is based on a book by a 19th century Polish author the purpose being to emphasis Victorian value's through a romantic setting to be more aesthetic. This film for today is now completely out dated. This film should be only studied in film history or propaganda technique. the historical errors in it are great which makes criticism of this legitimate. For one "Christian" back then was not Christian in the Modern meaning of the word. Back then in modern terms Christian meant Messianic Jews not interested in Proselytising. It was not yet an established religion that later became differing sects with a lot of different gospels a century later adapting external influence's. These later early Christians were tolerated as was Roman policy and rarely thrown to the Lions. Also all Eastern cults were treated with cynicism at the time. Evidence also shows Nero helped and aided the innocent and vulnerable during the great fire but to improve on what had burnt he did not have enough cash which was his downfall. It is also funny how Christians rant and invent stories about their persecution but ignore the atrocities and intolerance of their own actions such as how they decimated the Pagans 400 years later after Nero whilst stealing their ideas. Who really is the victim?
