← Back to results
The Fall of the Roman Empire
1964 188 min United States of America 16+
★7.5
Drama, History, War
Director: Anthony Mann
Trailers
EN
EN
EN
Description
In the year 180 A.D. Germanic tribes are about to invade the Roman empire from the north. In the midst of this crisis ailing emperor Marcus Aurelius has to make a decision about his successor between his son Commodus, who is obsessed by power, and the loyal general Gaius Livius.
Budget:
$19M
Worldwide:
$4.75M
Starring
Sophia Loren
Actor
Stephen Boyd
Actor
Alec Guinness
Actor
Awards
Golden Globe 1965
— Best Original Score
Academy Awards 1965
— Best Original Score
Key opinion
The Fall of the Roman Empire is a lavish, large-scale production that impresses with its physical sets and historical ambition but suffers from significant issues with bloat and narrative focus. While some viewers appreciate its philosophical exploration of internal societal decay, many criticize the film for being overly long, dull, and marred by a weak screenplay.
| Production | The massive, pre-CGI physical sets and historically detailed production design provide a grand, authentic scale that stands out as the film's most successful visual element. | |
| Acting | Christopher Plummer’s performance as the tyrannical Commodus provides a strong, compelling anchor amidst a cast that is otherwise seen as inconsistent. | |
| Screenplay | The dialogue is frequently described as thin, heavy, or excessive, failing to effectively carry the film's intended historical and philosophical weight. | |
| Runtime | The three-hour runtime is a point of contention: some viewers find the slow, contemplative tempo necessary for a historical study, while others find the film exhausting and bloated by pointless scenes. | |
| Acting | Opinions on Sophia Loren are split between those who view her performance as disengaged and mediocre, and those who argue she is better suited for the period role than modern alternatives. | |
| Pacing | The film's pacing is generally criticized for being sluggish and failing to maintain momentum, though the battle sequences and chariot race offer occasional relief. |