Tuesday, March 17, 2015

March 17 - The Fall of the Roman Empire

Today’s movie is a period drama with a scene that happens on March 17. Watch it tonight and enjoy.

THE FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius tells his family that he is going to select General Gaius Livius as his successor, rather than his son Commodus or daughter, Lucilla so that all the provinces will have the same rights and privileges as Italy. However, cronies of Commodus kill the Emperor on March 17, 180 [55:05 to 1:10:10]. Commodus is made emperor and oppresses the provinces to benefit Italy. When Livius tries to promote peace with the Germans, supported by Lucilla, Commodus is furious. He banishes Livius and forces Lucilla to marry the King of Armenia. Commodus is later forced to recall Livius to put down a rebellion in the eastern part of the Empire. Livius discovers Lucilla is behind the revolt, but refuses to join her in creating a break-away state as Livius fells this would fatally weaken the Empire. When the Persians attack, the rebels join Livius in defeating them. Commodus is declared a god by the Senate, with Livius and Lucilla to be the first sacrifices to him.  However, after Commodus learns he is not his father’s son, his unhinged mind conceives the idea of a duel with Livius for the throne.  Livius wins and is offered the title of Emperor by the Senate, but he declines and leaves with Lucilla.

Marcus Aurelius: A Life by Frank McLynn(DaCapo Press, Cambridge, Mass., 2009) at page 418 gives the date of his death.

Director - Anthony Mann

Producer - Samuel Bronston

Screenplay - Ben Barzman, Basilio Franchina and Philip Yordan

Awards – The film was nominated for the Best Original Score Oscar at the 37th Academy
                 Awards

Released – March 24, 1964

Runtime -  3 hours 8 minutes

Starring –

Sophia Loren as Lucilla
Christopher Plummer as Commodus
Alec Guinness as Marcus Aurelius
James Mason as Timonides
Stephen Boyd as Livius
Anthony Quayle as Verulus
John Ireland as Ballomar
Omar Sharif as Sohaemus, King of Armenia
Mel Ferrer as Marcus Aurelius Cleander
Eric Porter as Didius Julianus
Finlay Currie as Senator

Copyright by Ivan Walters in 2015.





No comments:

Post a Comment