What a beautiful movie!

ridiculous rating

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

The essential value of this film is the language. In fact, it is a touching tribute in Sienkiewicz memory and every sequence, gesture or word is form of affirmed Polish identity. And it is the best solution to be yourself, after images of Rome in Hollywood vision or Robert Taylor/ Peter Ustinov/ Brandauer acting. So, this "Quo Vadis?" is not beautiful story or fruit of great ambition but a decent movie, inspired by an interesting novel and small search to create an image. Nothing new in this adaptation and nothing touching, except the brilliant beauty of Magdalena Mielcarz and Pawel Delag. In fact, the only charming character is Polish language. At first, for the impact of words with Latin atmosphere. Then for the science to discover the essence of novel, without innovations or original elements."Quo Vadis?' is not another film about Christianism. It is not "The Gladiator". It is only a Polish film, homage to a important writer of a very interesting literature.

In my personal opinion this movie is one of the best, if not the best, film's ever made. The story, acting, costumes, film set is great, a true masterpiece work of art, better yet, authentic and factual. Factual was the attack on Christians by the evil...I have voted 10/10 for this movie because not only did I enjoy it, it reminded me of Christian history, once you see it, you'll understand.If you like movies like the brilliant Braveheart movie, Apocalypot, Potop, Gwiazda, Ogniem i Mieczem you are going to love this one too.A true masterpiece that Hollywood will never produce, because fact the facts; Hollywood never produced anything worthwhile of our precious time, just pure filthy, stinky garbage.

Nobel Prize winner Henryk Sienkiewicz is Poland's most revered author; this 2001 adaptation of his world-famous novel is the most expensive movie in Polish history. It's lavish, to be sure, but its real impact comes from the power of its storytelling and the timelessness of its themes.Sienkiewicz was a devout Catholic, and writer/director Jerzy Kawalerowicz's intent is undoubtedly pious — one viewer called QUO VADIS a cross between a Catholic mass and I, CLAUDIUS — but to me, the Christian point of view neither diminishes nor enhances the basic integrity of the story, which is about human beings caught in the maelstrom of Nero's reign. Some, like the pagan Petronius, tread the razor's edge, as must all artists and intellectuals who live under an autocrat (Eisenstein under Stalin comes to mind). Others, like Vinicius and his beloved Lygia, happen to be members of the particular cult which Nero chooses to scapegoat after a fire ravages Rome and destabilizes his regime. This is a tragedy repeated throughout history: when a catastrophe strikes, like the burning of Rome — or the attack on the World Trade Center — the scapegoating impulse of the populace will be exploited by evil men to bring about the death and suffering of innocent people. Whether Christians are the victims or the perpetrators of such scapegoating, it is the duty of history and of art to record the suffering of the innocent — which QUO VADIS achieves, hauntingly and brilliantly.Michal Bajor as Nero surpasses all other screen incarnations of the deranged emperor. Boguslaw Linda plays Petronius, the shrewd survivor, with the multi-layered subtlety the role demands. The other characters are equally well cast, from Judo world champion Rafal Kubacki's towering Ursus to Agnieszka Wagner's blood-chilling Poppaea. Special kudos to Jerzy Trela in the tragicomic role of Chilo Chilonides. The musical score by Oscar-winner Jan Kaczmarek is also memorable.Although QUO VADIS was edited for theatrical release, I saw the original 6-part TV series that's available on DVD from MGE with English subtitles. The pace never flags and the sprawling novel is well suited to serial format.

Inevitably, this film begs comparison to the three other recent Polish historical "super-productions", Ogniem i Mieczem, Pan Tadeusz, and Przedwiosnie. Quo Vadis isn't made with quite the elegance and visual grace of Pan Tadeusz, nor is it quite as dynamic and classy as Przedwiosnie, although it is elegant, visually graceful, and dynamic. It shares similarities, unfortunately, with Ogniem i Mieczem as well: at times it reverts to Hollywood-style kitsch, such as with close-ups that take themselves too seriously, and tacky, forced, over-dramatic music. However, these elements are both less frequent and less pronounced than in Ogniem i Mieczem; and - if you allow yourself to ignore them - are overpowered by many positive elements.Boguslaw Linda is great as Petroniusz. This is, I think, one of his best roles for years, and he produces the grace and dignity of a Roman gentleman very well. Michal Bajor's characterisation of the naive, vain Nero, at once contemptible and likeable, was for me one of the nice surprises of the film.The scene where lions tear Christians apart in the circus is shocking and heart-wrenching, and looks almost as realistic as I could imagine is possible. The famous scene where Ursus battles the bull in the circus is, if not as spectacular as the lions, similarly effective.Not a masterpiece, but a very good film. 8/10