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.
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