Quo Vadis Overview:

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

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


Old Hollywood Villains: Nero in Quo Vadis (1951)

By Amanda Garrett on Apr 29, 2017 From Old Hollywood Films

Today, I'm writing about Peter Ustinov's Academy Award-nominated performance as Roman Emperor Nero in Quo Vadis (1951). This article is part of The Great Villain Blogathon 2017 hosted by Speakeasy, Shadows and Satin, and Silver Screenings. Every old Hollywood epic needs a memorable villain, wh... Read full article


1001 Classic Movies: Quo Vadis

By Amanda Garrett on Mar 21, 2016 From Old Hollywood Films

Quo Vadis (1951), starring Robert Taylor and Deborah Kerr, is one of the 1001 classic movies you should see. Each Monday, I'm going to recommend a classic movie you should see (for the reasons behind the 1001 series and reviews of earlier films covered go here). Throughout March, I'll be celebrat... 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. Subjective... 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 Holly... Read full article


See all Quo Vadis articles

Quotes from

Petronius: [to Nero] You will be worthy of the spectacle - as the spectacle is worthy of you.


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 Eunice] You ask why I do this. Because I love Nero, perhaps? He fills me with loathing!


read more quotes from Quo Vadis...

Facts about

There are 110 speaking parts in the film.
Kathleen Byron was considered for the role of Lygia.
One immediate problem they encountered with the lions was that when they were released from their cages, they found the arena so hot, they'd immediately retreat back into their cages. Director Mervyn LeRoy overcame this problem by having several costumes filled with meat.
read more facts about Quo Vadis...
Share this page:
Visit the Classic Movie Hub Blog CMH
Best Picture Oscar 1951






See more Best Picture awards>>
Also directed by Mervyn LeRoy




More about Mervyn LeRoy >>
Also produced by Sam Zimbalist




More about Sam Zimbalist >>
Related Lists
Create a list


See All Related Lists >>
Also released in 1951




See All 1951 films >>
More "Period Piece" films



See All "Period Piece" films >>
More "Ancient World" films



See All "Ancient World" films >>
More "Book-Based" films



See All "Book-Based" films >>
More "Religious" films



See All "Religious" films >>