The Fall of the Roman Empire(1964)

Paramount Pictures

Other
3h 8m

Release Date: Mar 26, 1964

93%
68%
6.7

The death of Marcus Aurelius leads to a succession crisis, in which the deceased emperor's son, Commodus, demonstrates that he is unwilling to let anything undermine his claim to the Roman Empire.

Release Details

Original Release | Mar 26, 1964 | Limited

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Director & Top Cast

Anthony Mann
Director

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

Mel Ferrer

Cleander

Eric Porter

Julianus

Finlay Currie

Actor

Andrew Keir

Polybius

Douglas Wilmer

Niger

George Murcell

Victorinus

Norman Wooland

Virgilianus

Michael Gwynn

Cornelius

Virgilio Teixeira

Marcellus

Other Details

Country of Origin: United States

Language: English

Summaries

Storyline

Intent on securing peace and prosperity throughout the mighty Roman Empire, the wise diplomat, Emperor Marcus Aurelius, calls together the local governors from all over the Empire, after conquering the Germanic tribes. With this in mind, Marcus has decided to turn over his crown and the much-coveted imperial throne to General Livius, instead of choosing his corrupt son and logical successor, Commodus. As a result, high treason and blind ambition lead to the death of Aurelius by poisoning, paving the way for a new era of oppression, endless machinations, and rapid decline. Now, as darkness prevails on the outskirts of the Empire where the Roman legions struggle to subdue the invading hordes, delusional Commodus declares himself a god, and no one is safe; not even Aurelius' daughter, Lucilla. Can anyone stop the fall of the Roman Empire? — Nick Riganas Action-packed look at the beginnings of the fall of the Roman Empire. Here is the glory, the greed and grandeur that was Rome. Here is the story of personal lust for power, and the shattering effects of that power's loss. Here is the tale of the plight of a people living on the brink of a political abyss. — filmfactsman Marcus Aurelius Antonius, philosopher-emperor of Rome, summons his empire's governors and princes to German war headquarters for a Pax Romanus. He confides to his daughter, Lucilla, that his adopted son, Livius, will succeed him instead of his more unstable heir, Commodus. Overhearing this, Cleander, a blind prophet loyal to Commodus, presents Marcus with a poisoned apple. After the funeral, Livius, who does not share Lucilla's ambition for himself or Rome, allows Commodus to proclaim himself emperor. Lucilla marries Sohamus of Armenia. While pestilence ravages Rome, Commodus continues his vain, licentious behavior, neglecting all symptoms of unrest while banishing anyone reminding him of his responsibilities: Livius, Lucilla, Timonides the Greek. — alfiehitchie

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