They say that the fall of the Roman Empire did not occur in a day and was not the result of just one incident, but that it was the result of many occurrences spread over a span of 300 years. Someone should have told the makers of the movie that this did not mean the film version had to take that long too. Okay, it was not that bad but make sure you are comfortable and that you can appreciate old films with drawn out musical interludes between scenes, long-winded soliloquy’s and badly choreographed sword fights before you settle in. You have to be able to look past the poorly designed sets and realize that the lame red paint as blood instead of make-up and effects was the best they could do back then. If you like trumpets, choirs and organ music you will definitely like this film. If you enjoy a good chariot chase through narrow dirt roads and forests and along dangerously high cliffs then hang on. Or how about a good whip fight? Sound exciting? Then check out "The Fall of the Roman Empire".

In all seriousness, this movie was a cross between "Gladiator" with Russell Crowe and "The Ten Commandments" with Charleton Heston. The cast includes some of the best actors of the time, such as Sophia Loren, Christopher Plummer, Stephen Boyd and Alec Guinness as Marcus Aurelius.

As the story goes, Marcus Aurelius (then Caesar of Rome) decides that he can not trust his immature young son, Commodus to inherit his empire and instead tells his daughter, Lucilla that he has decided to leave Rome in the mighty and capable hands of Livius, the commander of the northern armies. Also, to further solidify Rome's union with the countries to the East, Marcus Aurelius offers his beautiful daughter in marriage to the King of Arminia (knowing full well that she is in love with Livius). When the Caesar's plans are learned by his closest aids they quickly hatch a plot to poison their leader to prevent the empire from falling into the hands of Livius, who they fear will no longer require their services. Once the Emperor is murdered, Commodus (despite having full knowledge of his father's wishes) steps up and takes his place as his father's successor. His only desire as Caesar is to destroy and undo everything that his father before him, struggled his whole life to accomplish. In an attempt to salvage the Rome that her father had created, Lucilla (having honoured her father's wishes and married the Armenian king) leads a rebellion of the Persian countries against her brother's armies. Livius leads the Roman army into Persia and kills the king of Armenia, leaving Lucilla widowed and free to be with her true love. However, as she and her lover return to the heart of Rome, Lucilla finally understands that she and her brother are tearing down everything their father worked so hard to build. In a final attempt to set things right she tries to murder her corrupt and manipulative little brother, Commodus. When she fails in her attempt, Commodus orders she be burned at the stake along with the soldiers who threatened to attack Rome, unless Livius can defeat him in the gladiator ring and win all of their freedom. Livius wins the final dual but refuses to take the place he has won on the throne. The position of Caesar is left open to the highest bidder, thus marking the beginning of the fall of the greatest, most influential civilization in history.

"The Fall of the Roman Empire" is long (3 hours and 5 minutes) and fairly slow-moving. There is action but for those of us who have been desensitized by the excessive and unnecessary violence of modern day cinema, scenes that are meant to be dramatic and passionate come across as lame or dull. It is difficult to become involved in the story and events that are unfolding. Although the director did a superb job of using bright coloured clothing and big wide open landscapes as backdrops, it was not enough to draw me in or make me care about the characters. This movie is not bad per say it just requires a more appreciative audience, maybe a more mature audience, one that enjoys older films with Shakespeare style monologues and church hymn musical scores.