Ben Barzman (1910–1989)

Dying Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Alec Guiness) decides that his heir should be the thoughtful and loyal general Livius (Stephen Boyd) rather than his erratic and unpredictable son Commodus (Christopher Plummer). The old emperor is, however, murdered and Commodus becomes Emperor. Marcus' worst fears are realised as the empire begins to crumble from within thanks to Commodus' tyrannical and insane rule. "The Fall of the Roman Empire" was a huge production that Anthony Mann directed in a slow and intellectual manner, unfortunately devoid of emotion and any real human interest. The production design is first class with much of Rome built for real and a cast of thousands upon thousands of extras filling the sumptuous streets - no horrible-looking CGI here! Unfortunately the two leads are rather bland with both Stephen Boyd and Sophia Loren as Lucilla giving energy-free, unengaged performances. On the positive side James Mason and Alec Guiness are effortlessly good and Christopher Plummer steals the show as the ambitious and charming but dangerously insane Commodus.… (meer)