Quo Vadis Review Abstract

The Ancient World epic is a film genre that has cycled through several times during the course of cinematic history. Though often successful and popular with general audiences, such films have often been harshly criticized over the years. A perfect example of this is the 1951 blockbuster Quo Vadis. Though mocked by critics and condemned by film censors, the picture was largely a success, grossing nearly triple what it cost to make (Richards 2008: 63). This paper will argue that Quo Vadis is a fantastic film worthy of its box office success due to its intriguing and complex plot and characters, tremendous acting, and visual appeal. The picture largely shares its plot with the 1932 film The Sign of the Cross. Quo Vadis, however, more fully develops this and creates a more interesting storyline for viewers to enjoy than the other. In addition to its main plotline, the film is riddled with various subplots that captivate the audience. These include the storylines following Nero and Petronius, Petronius and Eunice, Poppaea, and Peter. The multifaceted and round characters presented within the movie serve to further capture the audience’s interest. Marcus Vinicius is a particularly dynamic character, as the audience is able to embark on his journey with him and see the slow progression of his character throughout the film. The portrayal of the majority of the characters in the film was superb. Peter Ustinov and Leo Genn, who played Nero and Petronius, respectively, prove this through their attainment of Oscar nominations (Richards 2008: 62). Despite some obvious wardrobe and prop failings particularly among the Roman soldiers, there are many costumes and sets that are visually stunning. The dresses of the women are particularly eye-catching with their bright colors and beautiful design. Like any movie, however, Quo Vadis has its weaknesses, such as the aforementioned costume shortcomings and a rather disappointing Poppaea. Nevertheless, the whole of Quo Vadis is extremely enjoyable to watch and worthy of viewing again.