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Quo Vadis Overview:

Quo Vadis (1951) was a Historical - Drama Film directed by Mervyn LeRoy and Anthony Mann (uncredited) and produced by Sam Zimbalist.

Academy Awards 1951 --- Ceremony Number 24 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best Supporting ActorLeo GennNominated
Best Supporting ActorPeter UstinovNominated
Best Art DirectionArt Direction: William A. Horning, Cedric Gibbons, Edward Carfagno; Set Decoration: Hugh HuntNominated
Best CinematographyRobert Surtees, William V. SkallNominated
Best Costume DesignHerschel McCoyNominated
Best Film EditingRalph E. WintersNominated
Best Music - ScoringMiklos RozsaNominated
Best PictureSam Zimbalist, ProducerNominated
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Quo Vadis BlogHub Articles:

From the Archives: Quo Vadis ( 1951 )

By The Metzinger Sisters on Apr 8, 2020 From Silver Scenes - A Blog for Classic Film Lovers

Robert Taylor and Deborah Kerr in the MGM epic Quo Vadis ( 1951 ). The film was based upon the 1895 Polish novel by Henryk Sienkiewicz and was a huge blockbuster hit for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. From the Archives is our latest series of posts where we share photos from the Silverbanks Pictures collect... Read full article

Quo Vadis (1951)

By Beatrice on Aug 9, 2015 From Flickers in Time

Quo Vadis   Directed by Mervyn LeRoy Written by John Lee Mahin, S.N. Behrman, and Sonya Levien from the novel by Henryk Sienkiewicz 1951/USA Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer First viewing/Netflix rental Objectively, this is worth seeing for Ustinov’s performance, the spectacle, and the music. Subjectiv... Read full article

QUO VADIS  (1951)

By Clayton on May 1, 2014 From Phantom Empires

QUO VADIS  (1951) 5/1/2014 0 Comments I'm a huge fan of the Sword and Sandal picture. When I was a kid, beside the wonderful Italian Peplums, my Saturday and Sunday afternoon fare consisted mainly of some of the fantastic Holl... Read full article

QUO VADIS (1951)

By Clayton on May 1, 2014 From Phantom Empires

QUO VADIS (1951) 5/1/2014 0 Comments I'm a huge fan of the Sword and Sandal picture. When I was a kid, beside the wonderful Italian Peplums, my Saturday and Sunday afternoon fare consisted mainly of some of the fantastic Hollywood historical classic... Read full article

Quo Vadis

By Alyson on Jul 29, 2010 From The Best Picture Project

The film takes place in ancient Rome just after the Crucifixion.  Marcus Vinicius (Robert Taylor) has just returned home after three years at war for Rome.  He meets the beautiful Lygia (Deborah Kerr) who once was a hostage is now considered a daughter in her home.  Marcus tries to pursue her, wi... Read full article

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Quo Vadis Quotes:

Narrator: This is the Appian Way, the most famous road that leads to Rome, as all roads lead to Rome. On this road march the conquering legions. Imperial Rome is the center of the empire, the undisputed master of the world. But with this power inevitably comes corruption. No man is sure of his life, the individual is at the mercy of the state, murdering replaces justice. Rulers of conquered nations surrender their helpless subjects to bondage. High and low alike become Roman slaves, Roman hostages. There is no escape from the whip and the sword. That any force on earth can shake the foundations of this pyramid of power and corruption, of human misery and slavery, seems inconceivable. But thirty years before this day, a miracle occurred. On the Roman cross in Judea, a Man died to make men free, to spread the Gospel of love and redemption. Soon that humble cross is destined to replace the proud eagles that now top the victorious Roman standards. This is the story of that immortal conflict. In this, the summer of the year 64 A.D., in the reign of the antichrist known to history as the emperor Nero, the victorious fourteenth legion is on its way back to Rome under the command of one Marcus Vinicius.
Petronius: [to Nero] You will be worthy of the spectacle - as the spectacle is worthy of you.
Petronius: It is not enough to live well. One must die well.
Petronius: [in his dying letter to Nero] To Nero, Emperor of Rome, Master of the World, Divine Pontiff. I know that my death will be a disappointment to you, since you wished to render me this service yourself. To be born in your reign is a miscalculation; but to die in it is a joy. I can forgive you for murdering your wife and your mother, for burning our beloved Rome, for befouling our fair country with the stench of your crimes. But one thing I cannot forgive - the boredom of having to listen to your verses, your second-rate songs, your mediocre performances. Adhere to your special gifts, Nero - murder and arson, betrayal and terror. Mutilate your subjects if you must; but with my last breath I beg you - do not mutilate the arts. Fare well, but compose no more music. Brutalize the people, but do not bore them, as you have bored to death your friend, the late Gaius Petronius.
Petronius: [to Eunice] You ask why I do this. Because I love Nero, perhaps? He fills me with loathing!
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Quo Vadis Facts
Stewart Granger actively sought the lead role, but was unwilling to commit to a long term contract with MGM.
32,000 costumes were used in the film.
Among the many actresses who tried out for a role in the film: a pre-stardom Audrey Hepburn.
Kathleen Byron was considered for the role of Lygia.
The movie's huge box office success was credited with saving MGM from bankruptcy.
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