Quo Vadis [Blu-ray] [1951] [Region Free]

Having read some of the reviews before I purchased, I'm writing this review based on my own experience. I purchased the Blu-Ray version – basically because I have a Blu-Ray player and the Blu-Ray is a development from DVD.My reason for buying the film was that I had seen it on TV in the mid 1960s when I was a child. It's not something a 10 year old boy would normally watch but I seem to remember it was around Christmas time and it was my parents who wanted to watch it. I do however remember the fil and it was that memory that prompted me to buy.Having looked at the Blu-Ray disc, I decided to purchase the DVD. Why? Because whilst I bought the Blu-Ray new though Amazon, I bought the DVD second-hand for little more than a couple of quid! It was no big deal. If the DVD was rubbish it was no big deal. As it turned out the DVD was very far from rubbish! So this is a review of both media:The Blu-Ray picture is sharper. The contrast definition is better. This is clearly due to the technology. Does this mean that the DVD sharpness and contrast definition is poor and spoils the enjoyment of the film? No.There are however some differences that are more immediately noticeable and will affect viewing.Firstly, the aspect ratio. The Blu-Ray is how it appeared on my parents TV in 1965. That TV has long ceased to exist. The TV I viewed the film on was a late model Sony 55 inch near the top of the range. The Blu-Ray player was Sony again, near the top of the range. I'm not bragging but mention it to set aside any deficiencies in playback – there weren’t any. In contrast to the Blu-Ray, the DVD's picture filled the entire screen. What this means is this:You pay's your money and takes your choice! You can opt for the Blu-Ray and have the improved image OR you can opt for the DVD and for a very small degradation in image quality have a full screen picture. I am not going to recommend either as this is a choice only you the reader can make.However: There are a couple of other points to take into consideration!Whereas the film is one a single Blu-Ray disc, it is on two DVDs. This of course is entirely down to the technology differences. Another fact that should be taken into consideration is the length of the film! It is approximately 2 hours 47 minutes! Having such a film on two discs as opposed to one is IMHO a definite advantage as one can more easily view the film in two viewing sessions. The other factor to consider is the cost; the DVD is cheaper than the Blu-Ray.I'll now make some comments about the film itself: This 1951 epic film was in fact based on the novel “Quo Vadis: A Narrative of the Time of Nero” written by Henryk Sienkiewicz in Poland (at the time part of the Russian Empire). As is not uncommon, the later film differed from the original book. The biggest deviation was in the final ending of the story in the Colosseum in Rome. I'm not going to spoil things for those who have not seen the film, however, were they to do a remake today the availability of CGI technology will enable different choices to be made that were unavailable in 1951.

……one of the earliest in cinema. Special effects created and used, no CGI. Many “extras” used in the making of. The story of Nero, Roman Emperor, played by a young Peter Ustinov, depicting the self indulgent character, as if a very spoilt child adult, obsessed with his own making of music, oblivious to the responsibilities and realities of leadership. The Roman v Christians during those biblical times.

General Marcus Vinicius (Robert Taylor) returns to Rome after battle and falls in love with Lygia (Deborah Kerr), an adopted daughter of a fellow general, but effectively a hostage and considered a no no. When she is presented to him as a gift, things are further compounded by the fact that she is in secret a Christian. Enter Emperor Nero (Peter Ustinov) who orders that all Christians must be thrown to the lions, leaving Marcus with no option but to deny his Pretorian ways and to try and save Lygia and her family. Rome, will never be the same again.A big, bold and lavish historical epic out of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer that's directed by Mervyn LeRoy, shot in glorious Technicolor by Robert Surtees & William V. Skall and is scored by Miklós Rózsa. Joining the big hitters in the cast are Leo Genn, Finlay Currie, Felix Aylmer & Abraham Sofaer. While the adaptation of Henryk Sienkiewicz's novel is written by S. N. Behrman, Sonya Levien & John Lee Mahin. There's no denying that Quo Vadis, meaning "where are you going" and appertaining to the encounter between St Peter and Jesus Christ on the Appian Way, is a technical spectacle. It's also tough going for its over talky melodramatics during the first 90 minutes, but you just have to stay with it, once you are in, you are in for the long haul. A whole afternoon in my case!For its time, this was the bigger than than biggest, a studios dream, the cast of thousands, the sets, the costumes and the gazillion speaking parts that make up the story. It's also a point where the historical epic became more than just entertainment and a reason to make money. No doubt about it, Quo Vadis is very pro Christian, it has something to say, even if ultimately it takes a long time to say it and is historically dubious. There's thought and intelligence within, with that, it pays to pay attention and sample the dialogue whilst feasting your eyes on the magnificence that surrounds the characters. Once the worthwhile action kicks in, it's no let down, the fights in the Coliseum, the burning of Rome (we can thank the great Anthony Mann for that one) and the dramatic climax, all make the time spent leading up to them more than worth it. The cast are mostly agreeable, Kerr is gorgeous as ever and Taylor is, ahem, straight as ever, while Ustinov goes full tilt campy loony. Genn steals the movie as Petronius while Patricia Laffan as Poppaea Sabina gives one of the most sensually minx like portrayals given in an historical epic.Some may find the religiose aspects over bearing, but the spectacle does win out. Looking as gorgeous as ever now after being remastered, Quo Vadis is a must see for like minded historical epic fans. It's some way down the pecking order of the genre greats, but still a must see movie regardless. 7/10

Like that it will play in my region

"Quo Vadis", a 1951-released, 167-minute motion picture, employing a cast of 30,000 was an MGM stunner.Here, almost a century later, it displays life as it was nearly 2,000 years ago. And yes, it is Hollywood drama, portrayed by producer Sam Zimbalist and scored by Miklos Rozsa, the sound and fury of the best on the setleft me hoping, "so, if I wait a couple of months before I go back to view this again, I'll be left tattered and exhausted." Ah. And thrilled beyond measure? YES!!! Thanks, Amazon. You did it again.

Me gusta.

Péplum gigantesque. Sabu.

This is, of course, a great movie, taking place in the reign of Nero.It is even better on one side of one disc -- and replacing my DVD version (two discs) with this BD provided this benefit.I noticed a reviewer attacking it for not being 4K. Frankly, this sort of thing reminds me of an individual who claimed that the PJ /Fellowship of the Ring/ on DVD was inferior because he could only magnify it 10 times before it started going fuzzy. An odd criterion for judging a DVD.So, if you are a 4K-fanatic, don't buy this; just hold your breath till your face turns blue, go without, and wait for it to come out on 4K.But, if you like /really good movies/, this one should do you. Well, unless you are allergic to religious references, because it is packed full of (Nero, after all, was famous for feeding Christians to lions). Anti-religious fanatics beware!