Details

Release year: 1951

Storyline

A fierce Roman commander becomes infatuated with a Christian hostage and begins to question the emperor's tyrannical leadership.

Top credits

Directors

Writers

Cast

Robert Taylor — Marcus Vinicius
Deborah Kerr — Lygia
Leo Genn — Petronius
Peter Ustinov — Nero

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Awards

0 wins & 8 nominations

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Did you know

• In his memoirs, "Dear Me" (1981), Sir Peter Ustinov recalled that MGM had sought him for the role of Emperor Nero but dithered for months, refusing to commit. During this time, he received numerous telegrams from the studio, one of which stated that they were concerned that he might be too young to play the notorious Roman Emperor. Ustinov replied that Emperor Nero died when he was thirty, and that if they waited much longer, he'd be too old. The studio cabled back: "Historical research has proved you correct. You have the part." Coincidentally (or not), Ustinov was 30 years old when this movie was released.

• Sophia Loren: strewing flower petals in the path of Marcus Vinicius' chariot during the triumphal march. While not her first movie, it is her first American movie, albeit shot in Italy.

• The movie's huge box-office success was credited with saving MGM from bankruptcy.