Quo Vadis?
I just finished watching Quo Vadis (1951) and was blown away. Here's the Plot Summary for Quo Vadis from The Internet Movie Database:
Peter Ustinov's performance as Nero was equally comic and chilling. More chilling still were the themes the movie explored, all the more so as the West returns to its Pagan origins. The film contrasts the self-hatred of Paganism (epitomized by Nero burning his own city) against Christianity's love of all mankind. Pagan Marcus' carnal lust for Lygia, her love of him, and his eventual conversion could be symbolic of the complex history of Rome's persecution of and later non-violent conquest by Christians.
Many of the themes of modern Neo-paganism can be found in the depiction of ancient Rome. Most obvious would be the similarities between Nero's government and that of Totalitarian states. The misunderstanding and mocking of Christian belief hasn't changed that much after 2000 years, only now there is added resentment because Christianity has conquered much of the world. The decadence of art-for-art's-sake is explored, as are the horrors of crowd culture and mobocracy. The film even depicts a physician-assisted suicide!
The film's trailer calls it "The Best Film of Our Lifetime" and I wouldn't be surprised if it was. After 53 years, it stands the test of time.
I just finished watching Quo Vadis (1951) and was blown away. Here's the Plot Summary for Quo Vadis from The Internet Movie Database:
"Returning to Rome after 3 years in the field, General Marcus Vinicius meets Lygia and falls in love with her. She is a Christian and doesn't want to have anything to do with a warrior. Though she grew up Roman, the adopted daughter of a retired general, Lygia is technically a hostage of Rome. Marcus gets Emperor Nero to give her to him for services rendered. Lygia resents this, but somehow falls in love with Marcus anyway. Meanwhile Nero's atrocities get more outrageous. When he burns Rome and blames the Christians, Marcus goes off to save Lygia and her family. Nero captures them and all the Christians, and throws them to the Lions, but Marcus, Lygia, and Christianity prevail in the end."
Peter Ustinov's performance as Nero was equally comic and chilling. More chilling still were the themes the movie explored, all the more so as the West returns to its Pagan origins. The film contrasts the self-hatred of Paganism (epitomized by Nero burning his own city) against Christianity's love of all mankind. Pagan Marcus' carnal lust for Lygia, her love of him, and his eventual conversion could be symbolic of the complex history of Rome's persecution of and later non-violent conquest by Christians.
Many of the themes of modern Neo-paganism can be found in the depiction of ancient Rome. Most obvious would be the similarities between Nero's government and that of Totalitarian states. The misunderstanding and mocking of Christian belief hasn't changed that much after 2000 years, only now there is added resentment because Christianity has conquered much of the world. The decadence of art-for-art's-sake is explored, as are the horrors of crowd culture and mobocracy. The film even depicts a physician-assisted suicide!
The film's trailer calls it "The Best Film of Our Lifetime" and I wouldn't be surprised if it was. After 53 years, it stands the test of time.
Redeemed by Our Savior, I work out my salvation with fear and trembling in Pohang, South Korea, where I live with my wife, daughter, and son and teach English at a science and technology university. Baptized a Methodist and raised a Missouri Synod Lutheran in Buffalo, NY, I spent six years as a guest of the Anglican Communion before being received by the Grace of God into the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church on the Feast of Saint Andrew, my patron, anno domini 2002.
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