Fall of the Roman Empire

Pros: Alec Guiness, supporting actors, score, script, camera, costumes

Cons: Showed what bad politicians they had then!

Review: NOTE: This is part of the tribute to Alec Guinness, organized by Knix. Please visit her site and read the other reviews concerning this brilliant actor. Thank you.

Alec Guinness played many roles during his long and distinguished...

Pros: Sets, performances by Alec Guinness, Christopher Plummer

Cons: conception, pacing, Stephen Boyd, Sophia Loren

Review: Anthony Mann’s “Fall of the Roman Empire” goes on and on--even though it only covers the start of the decline. Alec Guinness as Marcus Aurelius in his last days is very impressive, and Christopher Plummer, as his successor Commodus, has a good time being...

Pros: Alec Guiness. Stunning sets of Rome.

Cons: Length, Christopher Plummer. James Mason. Unbearably loud and ridiculous musical score. Length. BORING.

The Bottom Line: Everything you need to see how a Hollywood spectacle went wrong. Completely wrong.

Review: By the mid-60's, movie-goers were tiring of epics, and the failure of Cleopatra to pack 'em in, as hoped for by the film's producers, all but sealed the fate of lavish spectacles. (Cleopatra eventually did make money, but not for a few more ...