Pellum. The fourth film adaptation of the novel of the same name by the famous Russian writer of Polish origin Henryk Sienkiewicz. And since I have not read the original book source (but I will definitely do it), I will evaluate the film adaptation as an independent work. I came across this picture quite by accident, and after viewing it, I did not regret that I spent time on it. Although as a child I remember the advertisement for the last film adaptation of this novel, 2001, American-Polish, but I did not watch it (and even after watching the 1951 version, I do not want to). There were both advantages and disadvantages in the picture. This should end this introduction and move on to the interesting.
So, the advantages: 1. The scenario - the picture tells us the story of the Roman commander Marcus Vicinius, who returned to Rome in triumph after a successful campaign of conquest against the barbarians. His uncle is the first advisor to the infamous Emperor Nero. Mark falls in love with a beautiful red-haired girl named Lygia, who turns out to be a Christian follower of a new faith that is rapidly spreading around the world. After all, the first century of our era is already underway. Two worlds collided - the old pagan one and the new one, where there is only one God. We are witnessing the decline and imminent demise of the Roman Empire, its insane emperor Nero, and we see the sermons of the apostles Peter and Paul and the widespread spread of the new Christian faith, and its persecutions (baiting by wild animals in the arena of the Colosseum are attached). And love, of course, because Mark and Lygia are the personification of two worlds, and just people with different views on the world who sincerely fell in love with each other, and this love is real. And the finale even surprised me a little, for which I thank him very much. Maybe this scenario does not claim to be a laurel wreath, but it is strong, logical, with interesting characters, vivid images, but if you are a Christian, then I do not know how you could miss this!
2. Aesthetics is pellum. This is exactly it - large-scale, epic, with a huge number of extras, grandiose decorations and bright costumes. That's why we love this genre. The picture is full of colors and makes the viewer look at this beauty without stopping. And although I came across a version far from the highest quality, but still, even so, I was glad to see all this beauty.
3. The confrontation of the old and new worlds is the main theme of the picture (as well as the book, I suppose), therefore, the timing here is not small (almost three hours, and it does not get boring), and it is interesting to watch. Yes, it was not possible to fully disclose the topic, which is sad. The creators only mark it with broad strokes, but they are also very memorable. The persecution of Christians by lions alone is worth something. And the meeting of Mark and Lygia after her disappearance is also good. But still a lot of details were left out.
4. Acting is beyond praise. But the best actor here was the Briton Peter Ustinov in the role of Nero. Although the real Nero did not wear a beard, and Peter did not look very much like Nero, but the type, behavior, character - everything screamed about great acting. Peter was hooked from the very first appearance in the frame. Bravo! Robert Taylor as Mark Vicinius and Deborah Kerr as Lygia were also good. There was that "spark" between them. I remember Finlay Curry well in the role of the Apostle Peter (I remember him from the important role of Balthazar from another pellum "Ben Hur"). Leo Genn was no less charismatic in the role of Petronius (Mark's uncle). Yes, everyone is good, there is not a single passing or hacky role.
5. Vivid and memorable scenes - for example, the fire in Rome that Nero set. I wouldn't be surprised if a significant part of the scenery had to be sacrificed for this. The persecution of Christians by lions is also remembered, especially the fearlessness of people who sing before they die. Well, the end of Nero is good (although he erred against history).
So, the disadvantages: 1. Discrepancies with history - Nero did not die exactly as shown in the picture, why did they not affect Seneca at all? They didn't really talk about the problems of Rome (and it was thanks to them that Christians became so popular, and turned from a sect of philosophers and fanatics into a world religion). The wonders of God here are special effects and ventriloquism. And that's just what I noticed. I am sure that experts will find more mistakes and shortcomings.
2. I didn't check it out - it's not even a flaw, but rather a subjective quibble. I'm not hooked on the local story. Yes, this is purely my problem. Maybe it's my communist views, maybe it's something else. But she didn't catch on, although the picture is good, you can't take that away from her.
I liked this film adaptation, so I don't see any point in watching other versions (because they are shorter in time, and added only blood and cruelty, which this film adaptation practically avoided). Christians will definitely like this picture, regardless of their denomination.
My rating is 8 out of 10 and my recommendation for viewing!
So, the advantages: 1. The scenario - the picture tells us the story of the Roman commander Marcus Vicinius, who returned to Rome in triumph after a successful campaign of conquest against the barbarians. His uncle is the first advisor to the infamous Emperor Nero. Mark falls in love with a beautiful red-haired girl named Lygia, who turns out to be a Christian follower of a new faith that is rapidly spreading around the world. After all, the first century of our era is already underway. Two worlds collided - the old pagan one and the new one, where there is only one God. We are witnessing the decline and imminent demise of the Roman Empire, its insane emperor Nero, and we see the sermons of the apostles Peter and Paul and the widespread spread of the new Christian faith, and its persecutions (baiting by wild animals in the arena of the Colosseum are attached). And love, of course, because Mark and Lygia are the personification of two worlds, and just people with different views on the world who sincerely fell in love with each other, and this love is real. And the finale even surprised me a little, for which I thank him very much. Maybe this scenario does not claim to be a laurel wreath, but it is strong, logical, with interesting characters, vivid images, but if you are a Christian, then I do not know how you could miss this!
2. Aesthetics is pellum. This is exactly it - large-scale, epic, with a huge number of extras, grandiose decorations and bright costumes. That's why we love this genre. The picture is full of colors and makes the viewer look at this beauty without stopping. And although I came across a version far from the highest quality, but still, even so, I was glad to see all this beauty.
3. The confrontation of the old and new worlds is the main theme of the picture (as well as the book, I suppose), therefore, the timing here is not small (almost three hours, and it does not get boring), and it is interesting to watch. Yes, it was not possible to fully disclose the topic, which is sad. The creators only mark it with broad strokes, but they are also very memorable. The persecution of Christians by lions alone is worth something. And the meeting of Mark and Lygia after her disappearance is also good. But still a lot of details were left out.
4. Acting is beyond praise. But the best actor here was the Briton Peter Ustinov in the role of Nero. Although the real Nero did not wear a beard, and Peter did not look very much like Nero, but the type, behavior, character - everything screamed about great acting. Peter was hooked from the very first appearance in the frame. Bravo! Robert Taylor as Mark Vicinius and Deborah Kerr as Lygia were also good. There was that "spark" between them. I remember Finlay Curry well in the role of the Apostle Peter (I remember him from the important role of Balthazar from another pellum "Ben Hur"). Leo Genn was no less charismatic in the role of Petronius (Mark's uncle). Yes, everyone is good, there is not a single passing or hacky role.
5. Vivid and memorable scenes - for example, the fire in Rome that Nero set. I wouldn't be surprised if a significant part of the scenery had to be sacrificed for this. The persecution of Christians by lions is also remembered, especially the fearlessness of people who sing before they die. Well, the end of Nero is good (although he erred against history).
So, the disadvantages: 1. Discrepancies with history - Nero did not die exactly as shown in the picture, why did they not affect Seneca at all? They didn't really talk about the problems of Rome (and it was thanks to them that Christians became so popular, and turned from a sect of philosophers and fanatics into a world religion). The wonders of God here are special effects and ventriloquism. And that's just what I noticed. I am sure that experts will find more mistakes and shortcomings.
2. I didn't check it out - it's not even a flaw, but rather a subjective quibble. I'm not hooked on the local story. Yes, this is purely my problem. Maybe it's my communist views, maybe it's something else. But she didn't catch on, although the picture is good, you can't take that away from her.
I liked this film adaptation, so I don't see any point in watching other versions (because they are shorter in time, and added only blood and cruelty, which this film adaptation practically avoided). Christians will definitely like this picture, regardless of their denomination.
My rating is 8 out of 10 and my recommendation for viewing!