The Fall of The Roman Empire

Umbrella Entertainment

R4 DVD

If you are going to do a sword and sandal epic, this is how it should be done. A decent budget, some very good actors and spectacular scenery all combine to give a film that is well above the others in the genre. The film dates back to 1964 and owes a lot to the 1959 epic Ben Hur, but is good enough to stand by itself as more than just a copy.

Emperor Marcus Aurelius is dying in his castle on the northern frontier with Germania. Rather than pass the emperor’s position on to his son Commodus he tells his daughter that he will give it to his other (adopted) son, Livius. He regards Commodus as wasteful of men, a boastful, vain warrior who prefers slaughter to peace. Peace is what Rome needs at the moment as the Persians in the east are causing trouble. Peace in Germania will free up troops to fight in the east. Before he can announce his decision he is poisoned by a slave loyal to Commodus. Livius, believing himself unfit to rule as Emperor, goes along with Commodus’ announcement of himself as Emperor.

Livius soon regrets his decision as Commodus turns into a vicious wastrel, increasing taxes on the eastern provinces. This is exactly what will turn the provinces to the Persians and so it happens. Rome is starving but Commodus’ lavish lifestyle will not be reigned in. Livius is recalled from the northern border where he is making peace with the German tribes and put in charge of the eastern armies.

He is horrified to find that many of Rome’s previous allies have already gone over to the Persians. It is only his military skills that save the provinces for Rome. Commodus wants to punish them savagely by destroying towns and crucifying and enslaving large numbers of the inhabitants. Livius refuses and travels to Rome to put his case for mercy so they will not be fighting a continuous war in the east as they had to in the north.

Commodus is by now completely power crazed and has had himself declared a god. He controls the Senate and Livius is imprisoned for treason and is to be burnt alive. Commodus in one last boastful gesture invites Livius to fight him in single combat, convinced that his godhood will protect him.

The dialogue is rather stilted, as most of these films are, but when delivered by actors of the like of Alec Guinness, Christopher Plummer, Stephen Boyd or James Mason the words carry a conviction that makes the film work. The female lead, Sophia Loren, has little to do but stand around looking sultry (or should that be surly?) but even she is more convincing than the fair haired blue eyed beauties of the cheaper films. The film is not let down by budget effects either. The phrase “cast of thousands” seems to apply here. The set of Rome is quite spectacular and the costuming is magnificent.

This film is now showing its age a little, but it has aged gracefully rather than comically. It is still a good epic.

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This review will appear in Volume 3 No. 5 of the digital and print edition of Synergy Magazine.

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