The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)

VHS CASE/SIDE

Length of film:  188 Minutes (1970 Re-release: 170 Minutes)

Rated:  Approved

Genre: Drama, History, War

Director: Anthony Mann

Starring: Sophia Loren, Stephen Boyd, Alec Guinness, James Mason, Christopher Plummer, Anthony Quayle, John Ireland, Omar Sharif, Mel Ferrer

IMDB Rank: 6.7/10

Part 1 Time:  90 Minutes   (1970 Re-release: N/A )

Part 2 Time:  98 Minutes (1970 Re-release: N/A)

Where does the first part end?  Commodus (Christopher Plummer), returns to Rome as the new Caesar, he places his crown on the alter within the Temple of Zeus.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “Hail Caesar!” Crowd shouts as Commodus enters the temple of Zeus.

First line of dialogue on the second part: ” In these buildings, you store all the law and all the stories of Rome.” Lucilla (Sophia Loren) speaks to Rome’s archivist about storing her late father Marcus Aurelius’ writings (Alec Guinness).

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Minimal, Commodus has returned to Rome as Caesar, we are unsure of his vision for Rome, but based on the title of the film his choices will not be for the empires betterment.

Which part is better? In part one we are introduced to an elderly Marcus Aurelius who has grown the Roman empire and created peace among its neighbours. Commodus ensures he will be Caesar following his father’s death. In part two, Commodus controls Rome his short sightedness and rash decisions place the Roman empire into complex situations. Although both parts include various action sequences and solid acting, the slight edge goes to part two as we are able to see the results of ones unjust decisions on the many and its repercussions.

Academy Awards: Best Music- Substantially Original Score (Nominated)