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Androcles and the Lion

Play trailer Poster for Androcles and the Lion 1952 1h 38m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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43% Tomatometer 7 Reviews 40% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Based on George Bernard Shaw's play, an adaptation of the classic folktale, this film follows Androcles (Alan Young), a slave in Ancient Rome who has escaped his bonds and fled into the wilderness. A devoted Christian with an unparalleled level of compassion, he seeks to aid any who need assistance -- even a wild lion with a thorn in its paw. While the move to remove the thorn may seem foolhardy, Androcles' kindness is later repaid in the blood-stained ring of the Colosseum.

Critics Reviews

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Variety Staff Variety 03/04/2015
Bernard Shaw's satirical comedy on Romans and Christians provides the basis for a fair film offering. Picture is a curious mixture of basic comedy and Shavian wit. Go to Full Review Tom Milne Time Out 06/24/2006
[A] pompously stagebound and unhappily cast spectacular. Go to Full Review Bosley Crowther New York Times 03/25/2006
The intellectual content of the drama suffers from staging that is dull; the fantasy and drollery of it seem curiously clumsy and slow. Go to Full Review Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine 12/02/2019
...much of the GBS wit, however, survives the grandiose movie expansion. Jean Simmons, as the wise and lovely Lavinia, is a joy to behold. Go to Full Review Virginia Graham The Spectator 06/19/2018
Bernard Shaw's irreverent views on Christianity, so brilliantly expounded in that exceptionally poor play of his, Androcles and the Lion, have, in Gabriel Pascal's even poorer adaptation, lost a deal of their original sharpness. Go to Full Review Tony Sloman Radio Times 03/04/2015
3/5
The imported British supporting cast, including Robert Newton, behave like fish out of water under Chester Erskine's shambolic direction. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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S R @ScottR May 22 I saw this after seeing Major Barbara since it was in the same collection. Sadly, it did not measure up to the other film. It had potential, but came across oddly in that it couldn't make up its mind as to what kind of a film it wanted to be. It's a shame since I enjoyed Gabriel Pascal's work. SLC DVD. See more Jerry E @engelbach Feb 27 I saw this in the movies when I was nine years old, an age at which any movie is a treat. But now I see that the crisp satirical sparkle of Shavian wit is completely absent from this poorly directed production. It lumbers along as if the performers are bored with the whole thing, except for the overacting of Alan Young and Elsa Lanchester. The claustophobic sets don’t help, nor does the wasted lineup of A-list stars. See more 08/21/2016 The title character is played very 'camp' and there's a lot of humour in this film because of it. The higher billed actors share a broody love story and it takes a while for the group to reach their martyrdom day which is the crux of the film. It's all very watchable though. See more 01/04/2015 A good movie based on the play of the same name See more 01/08/2012 Well, it's fairly overwrought, preachy, and inappropriately silly but I suppose it's still a fun watch. See more 04/29/2011 The production design and direction are unimaginative but this is loaded with wonderful performances from both the American actors as well as the great cast of English thespians who have a wonderful time with Shaw's witty dialogue. See more Read all reviews
Androcles and the Lion

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Cast & Crew

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Chester Erskine

Director

Jean Simmons

Lavinia

Alan Young

Androcles

Victor Mature

Captain

Robert Newton

Ferrovius

Maurice Evans

Caesar

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Androcles and the Lion

Androcles and the Lion (1952) Androcles and the Lion (1952) Androcles and the Lion (1952) Androcles and the Lion (1952) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Based on George Bernard Shaw's play, an adaptation of the classic folktale, this film follows Androcles (Alan Young), a slave in Ancient Rome who has escaped his bonds and fled into the wilderness. A devoted Christian with an unparalleled level of compassion, he seeks to aid any who need assistance -- even a wild lion with a thorn in its paw. While the move to remove the thorn may seem foolhardy, Androcles' kindness is later repaid in the blood-stained ring of the Colosseum.
Director
Chester Erskine
Producer
Gabriel Pascal
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 30, 1952, Limited
Release Date (DVD)
Feb 23, 2010
Runtime
1h 38m