The release of “Quo Vadis” marked the start of the spectacle pictures of the 1950’s, the major Hollywood studios’ reaction to the popularity of television. And this was the last big production of Louis B. Mayer’s MGM, before his replacement by Dore Schary in July, 1951.
Producer Sam Zimbalist and director Mervyn LeRoy spared no expense with the massive, colorful sets, lavish costumes, 30,000 extras (including Sophia Loren before stardom), 110 speaking parts, and meticulous attention to historic details. The cinematography was top-rate, filmed at the historic Cinecitta Studios in Rome.
The screenplay is well written, despite some wordiness in the early part of the picture. “Lygia, I envy the roof that covers you,” Robert Taylor says to Deborah Kerr. Lines like that can make the viewers’ eyes roll, but it does get better as “Quo Vadis” progresses.
The three principals were all spectacular in their varied roles: Taylor as the no-nonsense Roman centurion, Kerr as the young Christian slave girl, and Peter Ustinov as the unstable madman Emperor Nero. Other cast members include Leo Glenn, Finlay Currie, Buddy Baer, with narration by Walter Pidgeon. There were uncredited cameos by Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren, Christopher Lee, and Robin Hughes as Jesus.
“Quo Vadis” was nominated for eight Oscars with zero wins. It was very popular at the box office, making loads of cash for L. B. Mayer, producer Sam Zimbalist, and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Quo Vadis (1951)
cinema
My Review
The release of “Quo Vadis” marked the start of the spectacle pictures of the 1950’s, the major Hollywood studios’ reaction to the popularity of television. And this was the last big production of Louis B. Mayer’s MGM, before his replacement by Dore Schary in July, 1951.
Producer Sam Zimbalist and director Mervyn LeRoy spared no expense with the massive, colorful sets, lavish costumes, 30,000 extras (including Sophia Loren before stardom), 110 speaking parts, and meticulous attention to historic details. The cinematography was top-rate, filmed at the historic Cinecitta Studios in Rome.
The screenplay is well written, despite some wordiness in the early part of the picture. “Lygia, I envy the roof that covers you,” Robert Taylor says to Deborah Kerr. Lines like that can make the viewers’ eyes roll, but it does get better as “Quo Vadis” progresses.
The three principals were all spectacular in their varied roles: Taylor as the no-nonsense Roman centurion, Kerr as the young Christian slave girl, and Peter Ustinov as the unstable madman Emperor Nero. Other cast members include Leo Glenn, Finlay Currie, Buddy Baer, with narration by Walter Pidgeon. There were uncredited cameos by Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren, Christopher Lee, and Robin Hughes as Jesus.
“Quo Vadis” was nominated for eight Oscars with zero wins. It was very popular at the box office, making loads of cash for L. B. Mayer, producer Sam Zimbalist, and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.