A Hollywood epic set three decades after the crucifixion of Jesus, it follows the pursuits of an arrogant Roman army commander (Robert Taylor), whose lust for Deborah Kerr precludes a shit-storm of woe for almost everyone involved. The duo's feelings are often upstaged by the production values, but the highlight is Peter Ustinov as Nero, a self-important Emperor that lives in a bubble of his own-making, unaware that his needs are childlike and tactless.
The film fails to make its love story particularly successful but succeeds with themes of manipulation and madness; although, perhaps not fully in the way that was intended. Putting the notions 'I am a god' and the equally lunatic 'God speaks to me' on opposing sides of a sympathetic line is Hollywood of old forcing a bias toward crowd-pleasing values, one that weakens the story.
3½ poetic sufferings out of 5
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