The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)
Runtime: 3 hrs 7 mins
Synopsis: The success of Anthony Mann's wide-screen epic El Cid (1961) led to this even grander undertaking, one of Hollywood's periodic infatuations with the decadence of Imperial Rome. After murdering his father, Emperor Marcus Aurelius Commodus drifts into a life of wanton depravity as the... The success of Anthony Mann's wide-screen epic El Cid (1961) led to this even grander undertaking, one of Hollywood's periodic infatuations with the decadence of Imperial Rome. After murdering his father, Emperor Marcus Aurelius Commodus drifts into a life of wanton depravity as the Gothic hordes gather at the Empire's borders. THE FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE is a Hollywood spectacular in the grand tradition, but Mann manages to elicit some terrific performances amongst the mob scenes. According to the trailer, the film contains "Not just 3 or 4, but ALL of the known emotions!" [More]
Genre: Action/Adventure
Starring: Stephen Boyd, Alec Guinness, Christopher Plummer, Sophia Loren, James Mason
Producer: Samuel Bronston
Screenwriter: Ben Barzman, Basilio Franchina
Composer: Dimitri Tiomkin
DVD Info
Release:
Apr 29, 2008
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- O-Ring Keep Case - 2-Disc Set
- 2-Disc Set
- Disc: 1
- Widescreen
Audio:
- Dolby Digital - English
Additional Release Material:
- Audio Commentary - 1. Bill Broston 2. Mel Martin
- Featurette - 1. ROME IN MADRID
- Trailers - Theatrical Trailer
Text/ Photo Gallery:
- Filmographies
- Still Galleries
- Fimographies
- DISC 2
- Widescreen
Audio:
- Dolby Digital - English
Additional Release Material:
- Featurette - 1. THE RISE AND FALL OF AN EPIC PRODUCTION - THE MAKING OF THE FILM
- 2. THE RISE AND FALL OF AN EMPIRE - AN HISTORICAL LOOK AT THE REAL ROMAN EMPIRE
- 3. HOLLYWOOD VS HISTORY - AN HISTORICAL ANALYSIS
- 4. DIMITRI TIOMKIN - SCORING THE ROMAN EMPIRE
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Reviews
While The Fall of the Roman Empire is even more technically assured than El Cid, it's less interesting narrative-wise.
Put bluntly, the difference between El Cid and Fall is the difference between faith in a concept of heroism that can transcend even death.
From back in the day when epic meant upwards of 10,000 extras, gargantuan sets, and 122-piece orchestras...in other words, CGI is for wimps.


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