Directed by:
Cecil B. DeMilleCinematography:
Karl StrussCast:
Fredric March, Elissa Landi, Claudette Colbert, Charles Laughton, Ian Keith, Arthur Hohl, Harry Beresford, Tommy Conlon, Ferdinand Gottschalk (more)Plots(1)
After Emperor Nero (Charles Laughton) blames the Christians for burning Rome, he orders that they be sent to the Colosseum. While rounding them up, military leader Marcus Superbus (Fredric March) meets pretty young Mercia (Elissa Landi), who begs him to free her stepfather, Titus (Arthur Hohl). Marcus does so with the hope of seducing her but is unsuccessful. Empress Poppaea (Claudette Colbert), who has her eye on Marcus, soon learns of Mercia and, out of jealousy, orders her fed to the lions. (Bounty Films)
(more)Reviews (1)
I watched the movie mainly to remind myself of something that was created before the Hays Code was adopted and therefore included scenes that were later considered inappropriate. It is refreshing to see more provocative shots even in American black and white era productions. I am quite curious to see how some films would look if the code had not been adopted. DeMille shows that it certainly wouldn't be detrimental to the matter.
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