The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)
March 24, 1964Release Date
The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)
March 24, 1964Release Date
Plot.
Where to Watch.
Currently The Fall of the Roman Empire is available for streaming online, rent, buy or watch for free on: Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Amazon Video, Microsoft Store, YouTube, Vudu
Streaming in:🇺🇸 United States
Cast & Crew.
Sophia Loren
Lucilla
Stephen Boyd
Livius
Alec Guinness
Marcus Aurelius
James Mason
Timonides
Christopher Plummer
Commodus
Anthony Quayle
Verulus
John Ireland
Ballomar
Omar Sharif
Sohamus
Edward Gibbon
Writer
Mel Ferrer
Cleander
Finlay Currie
Senator
Eric Porter
Julianus
Anthony Mann
Director
Andrew Keir
Polybius
Ben Barzman
Writer
Douglas Wilmer
Niger
Basilio Franchina
Writer
George Murcell
Victorinus
Philip Yordan
Writer
Norman Wooland
Virgilianus
Samuel Bronston
Producer
Michael Gwynn
Cornelius
Virgilio Teixeira
Marcellus
Dimitri Tiomkin
Composer
Peter Damon
Claudius
Robert Krasker
Cinematographer
Lena von Martens
Helva
Robert Lawrence
Editor
Roland Carey
Barbarian (uncredited)
Maude Spector
CastingDirector
Veniero Colasanti
ProductionDesigner
Margaret Fuller
Part of Court (uncredited)
John Moore
ProductionDesigner
Gabriella Licudi
Tauna (uncredited)
Jeffrey O'Kelly
Brother of Livius (uncredited)
Guy Rolfe
Marius (uncredited)
Friedrich von Ledebur
Barbarian (uncredited)
José Terrón
Soldier on a horse (uncredited)
Patricia Wright
Roman citizen, Slave woman (uncredited)
Rafael Luis Calvo
Lentulus
C.O. Erickson
Production Manager
José López Rodero
Assistant Director
David Hildyard
Sound Mixer
Grazia De Rossi
Hairdresser
Mario Van Riel
Makeup Artist
Jaime Prades
Associate Producer
George Tyne
Dialogue Coach
Cecilio Paniagua
Second Unit Cinematographer
Media.
Details.
Release DateMarch 24, 1964
StatusReleased
Running Time3h 8m
Content RatingNR
Budget$19,000,000
Box Office$4,750,000
Filming LocationsMadrid, Spain
Genres
Wiki.
The Fall of the Roman Empire is a 1964 American epic historical drama film directed by Anthony Mann and produced by Samuel Bronston, with a screenplay by Ben Barzman, Basilio Franchina and Philip Yordan. The film stars Sophia Loren, Stephen Boyd, Alec Guinness, James Mason, Christopher Plummer, Mel Ferrer, and Omar Sharif.
When the filming of El Cid (1961) had finished, Anthony Mann saw a copy of Edward Gibbon's 1776–1789 six-volume series The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire inside Hatchards bookshop. He pitched a film adaptation of the book to Samuel Bronston, who then agreed to produce the project. Philip Yordan was enlisted to write the script while Charlton Heston was initially set to star. However, Heston backed out of the film and agreed to star in 55 Days at Peking (1963). Prominent actors were cast to portray multiple roles in the film. The final screenplay was written by Ben Barzman and Basilio Franchina with a prologue written by historian Will Durant. Filming began in January 1963 and wrapped in July. The film featured the largest outdoor set in the history of film at that time, a 92,000 m2 (990,000 sq ft) replica of the Roman Forum.
The film's name refers not to the final fall of the Roman empire, which did in fact survive for centuries after the period depicted in the film, but rather to the onset of corruption and decadence which led to Rome's demise. It deals extensively with the problem of imperial succession, and examines both the relationship between father and son on the background of imperial politics as well as the nature and limits of loyalty and friendship.
On March 24, 1964, the film premiered at the London Astoria. Critics found the script lacking in emotion and humanity and the direction misguided, but accorded a degree of praise for the large spectacles. The film was a financial failure at the box-office.