Quo Vadis?

Vinitius, a veteran of the Armenian Wars, has fallen in love with Lygia, a conquered princess now living in Rome. Petronius, Vinitius's uncle, uses his status as Nero's favorite courtier to arrange with the emperor for her to be kidnapped and given as a mistress to Vinitius. As Lygia is being carried away, Ursus, her faithful servant, overtakes her litter and spirits her to safety. Petronius obtains the help of Chilo, an investigator renown for his expansive knowledge, in finding where Lygia is hidden. Chilo finds Lygia, who he discovers to be a Christian, but Vinitius does not care for Chilo and treats him brutally. In retaliation, when Nero is searching for a scapegoat to take the blame for the Great Fire of Rome, Chilo accuses the Christians of starting the blaze.

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Quo Vadis? (Cines, 1913)

Starring: Amleto Novelli, Gustavo Serena, Lea Giunchi - See complete cast and crew
Image quality:
Length: 81 minutes

Nero, or the Fall of Rome (Ambrosio, 1909)

Poppea, covetous of the throne, seduces Nero into having his wife Octavia killed so that she might be the future empress. The public turns on Nero when they learn what he has done and his assassination seems eminent. To save himself, he orders Rome be burned to the ground. The mob is distracted, but Nero is unable to escape his own conscience.

Also known as Nerone and Nero; or, the Burning of Rome.

Starring: Alberto Capozzi, Lydia De Roberti - See complete cast and crew
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Length: 12 minutes

Additional content

A digital reproduction of an original program from a June 16th, 1913 screening of Quo Vadis? at Boston's Tremont Theatre.

Color-tinted sequences in Nero, or the Fall of Rome.

Both films feature original, scene-specific piano scores. For Nero, or the Fall of Rome, the score is compiled from period-appropriate photoplay music. For QuoVadis?, the score has been drawn from classical sources to better fit the film's grandeur.

Technical

93 minutes total - 1.33:1 original aspect ratio - Stereo sound - NTSC - All regions