Quo Vadis?

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Anthony J Dated cornball stuff with some hoards-of-extras spectacle thrown in. Robert Taylor plays a Roman general like a wooden American. A long-winded waste of time. except for Ustinov's Nero, who is perfectly played just short for funny. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/22/24 Full Review Alec B Peter Ustinov is a great Nero, but like a lot of these epics it is mostly dull and overly melodramatic. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/10/24 Full Review Alan R A watchable movie typical for the blockbuster sword 'n' sandal movies made at the time (1951). I enjoyed especially the sets and costumes and the over-the-top scenes. If made today, Q. V. would be very different: more computer technology and digital scenery. Perhaps lower-key and less cheesy , syrupy emotional scenes. But who knows? One incorrect depiction was the Rome model shown to Nero (excellent performance by Peter Ustinov): the Colosseum and the Pantheon would be built after the reign of that monster "Adolf" Nero-tler. The Colosseum in the late 70s CE, and the Pantheon in its present form during the reign of Hadrian in the 2nd century CE. One more sobering thought: In the 200-300 years following Emperor Constantine's "legalization" of Christianity, more Christians were killed by each other due to internal theological disputes than were slaughtered during the first three centuries of their existence. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/18/23 Full Review huck d This has to be the most underrated if not completely lost epic from the '50s -- a true masterpiece that deserves a "resurrection" to thrill a new generation. A magnificent love story -- of both woman and God -- set in Nero's Rome. An unimaginably young Peter Ustinov plays Nero with all the neurotic, self-indulgent, maleficence that would earn him an Oscar nomination. His empress, the statuesque and stunningly beautiful Patricia Laffan perfectly captures the cold-hearted evil that would inspire similar roles for years to come. The Roman hostage and striking red-head Deborah Kerr walks the tightrope between her faith and her love for a Roman commander whose eyes she opens to the new world that Christianity would bring to Rome. While the Christian messaging is certainly more direct and overpowering than Ben-Hur, the film making is extraordinary, the acting flawless, and it was such a huge box office success, it is said Quo Vadis (Latin for Wither goest Thou) single handedly saved MGM from bankruptcy. Don't let the odd title deter you, this is a must see treasure. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/22/23 Full Review Daryl S Excellent movie. Should appeal especially to catholic viewers as it highlights Peters leadership. This would be a classic along the line of Ben Hur with a better leading actor. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Joe S An overly long film, but it does give some spectacle. Robert Taylor's flat colorless voice is a great distraction and makes it impossible to accept his character, and (as he is the lead) the picture's doomed. Peter Ustinov as Nero overacts the part in a great hammy unbelievable performance, but at least he's fun. Leo Glenn as Petronius is the only one who comes off fine. Has there ever been a religious picture that didn't feature Finlay Currie or Felix Aylmer ? Because here they are again. There's a great Polish version made in 2001 that puts this one to shame! Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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