Activate your BLOCKBUSTER On Demand device

Quo Vadis? (1951)

Quo Vadis? (1951)
Play Trailer and Clips
Member Rating:  
Originally advertised as "Colossal Quo Vadis," this opulent MGM production is far and away the most elaborate of the many versions of Henryk Sienkiewicz's novel. The plot, as always, concerns the romance between a beautiful early Christian woman (Deborah Kerr) and the initially agnostic Roman soldier Marcus Vinicius (Robert Taylor). This love story is laid against the larger intrigues of the debauched emperor Nero (Peter Ustinov), who hopes to gain immortality by destroying Rome with a fire and remaking it in his own image. Part of Nero's master plan is the elimination of the Christian "threat," leading to the climactic lion picnics in the arena. In spite of the many more celebrated highlights (the burning of Rome, the rescue of Lygia [Deborah Kerr] from a rampaging bull, the upside-down crucifixion of Simon Peter), the scene that remains most vivid in the memory is the posthumous "final insult" delivered to Nero by his contemptuous former aide Petronius (Leo Genn). Sophia Loren can be briefly spotted as an extra during one of the crowd scenes. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

 Read More


Starring:
Robert TaylorDeborah Kerr, (more)
Director(s):
Mervyn LeRoy
Format(s):
DVD  |  Blu-ray
View All Versions to rent and buy
 
 
 
 

Synopsis of Quo Vadis?

Originally advertised as "Colossal Quo Vadis," this opulent MGM production is far and away the most elaborate of the many versions of Henryk Sienkiewicz's novel. The plot, as always, concerns the romance between a beautiful early Christian woman (Deborah Kerr) and the initially agnostic Roman soldier Marcus Vinicius (Robert Taylor). This love story is laid against the larger intrigues of the debauched emperor Nero (Peter Ustinov), who hopes to gain immortality by destroying Rome with a fire and remaking it in his own image. Part of Nero's master plan is the elimination of the Christian "threat," leading to the climactic lion picnics in the arena. In spite of the many more celebrated highlights (the burning of Rome, the rescue of Lygia [Deborah Kerr] from a rampaging bull, the upside-down crucifixion of Simon Peter), the scene that remains most vivid in the memory is the posthumous "final insult" delivered to Nero by his contemptuous former aide Petronius (Leo Genn). Sophia Loren can be briefly spotted as an extra during one of the crowd scenes. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
174 mins

Complete Cast of Quo Vadis?


Director(s):
Mervyn LeRoy
Writer(s):
S.N. BehrmannSonya LevienJohn Lee Mahin
Producer(s):
Sam Zimbalist
Quo Vadis? Awards:
  • 1951 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
  • 1951 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Cinematography - Color
  • 1951 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Cinematography - Color
Looking for special editions of Quo Vadis??
See All Versions
Subtitles:
Check All Versions
Closed Captioning:
Check All Versions
 
 
 
 

BY MAIL

Monthly Subscription 
NEW! 7 - Day Rental
No subscription required. Usually ships in 24 hours.
 
Buy New  $15.99
 

IN-STORE

 

What's Your Take?

Add to FavoritesIn Favorites  |  Share:     Email to a friendShare on FacebookShare on Twitter
YOUR REVIEW
WRITE A REVIEW
 
1000 
 
Member Reviews
 
Edwin P.

Once upon a time, Hollywood made films with high production values, strong stories, memorable acting, and "casts of thousands..." which just knocked you out. This is one. This is one of the string of epics (Ten Commandments, Ben Hur, The Robe, Spartacus) Hollywood made in the 50s and early 60s and it compares well with those films, with many more action sequences than average for this genre. An excellent movie, particularly for Peter Ustinov as the Emperor Nero, one of the great go-to villains of all time.

Yes   |   No

 
Diana S.

Excellent story and production.

Yes   |   No

 
Yolanda W.

I really enjoyed this movie and hope to see it again and again!!

Yes   |   No

 
Read All 8 Reviews