QUO VADIS
US, 1951, 170 minutes, Colour.
Robert Taylor, Deborah Kerr, Leo Genn, Peter Ustinov, Felix Aylmer, Norman Wooland, Marina Berti, Patricia Laffan, Rosalie Crutchley, Norah Swinburne, Ralph Truman, Buddy Baer.
Directed by Mervyn Leroy.
Quo Vadis was the biggest ancient spectacle of its time, directed by veteran director Mervyn Leroy (whose range includes Little Caesar to Blossoms in the Dust to Gypsy over thirty years). Its box office success was enormous, a spectacle on the small screen just before the use of the wide screen.
The film is enjoyable - Hollywood style in its way, with heavenly choirs at various times. However, there are many good things in it which still make it worthwhile. Peter Ustinov's eccentric Nero is excellently convincing in his imperial tantrums; Leo Genn is an elegant Petronius (the author of the Satyricon).
The presentation of Christianity is interesting, especially the glimpses of Peter and Paul. An enjoyable spectacle with some interesting themes.
1. Was this an enjoyable religious spectacle? What were the best features of this film? Why? Did it offer much insight into human behaviour?
2. Its insights into Rome and Roman life; the legions and the soldiers, commanders like Marcus, Roman parties, the status of slaves. cruelty. the role of the emperor, the quality of life in the Empire, civilised men like Petronius, the potential for revolution, the impact of early Christianity?
3. Its insights into early Christianity - the short flashbacks to the life of Christ (too superficial). the personalities of Peter and Paul. the authority of the preaching of Peter, Christian families. Christian attitudes to slavery. Christian values contrasting with Roman values. the reality of martyrdom, the impact of the martyrs and their courage and convictions. conversions. the effect of Christianity on the Empire?
4. The characters:
a) Marcus - Roman arrogance and pride. love for Lygia. Nero's giving Lygia. his disillusionment with Nero, his disgust: the burning of Rome, conversion and imprisonment, living happily ever after?
b) Lygia - as a woman, as a noble, as a Christian, her love for Marcus, her revulsion at Nero's intervention at the banquet, caring for Marcus, the imprisonment, her ordeal in the arena?
c) Petronius - as a noble Roman. his position in Nero's court. his affection for Marcus. his love for Eunice. his disillusionment with Nero. his letter to Nero. his death? Was suicide his only option?
d) Nero - Peter Ustinov's performance, his insanity, his vanity (singing), his ambitions (the burning of Rome), his callousness, his tantrums at the time of Petronius' death, his cowardice at the victimising of the Christians. his fear of death, his death?
e) Poppaea - as a person, as empress, lascivious and cruel?
f) Seneca and the Romans should they have withstood Nero? Why didn't they?
g) The Christian family as Christians, as Romans, in their martyrdom?
h) Eunice - as a slave, as a freed person?
i) Acte - her protection of Lygia, her love for Nero, her killing Nero?
j) Peter - as witness to Christ, his sermon; Paul?
