8mm Forum: QUO VADIS-18mins.1x400ft.super8.

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Posted by Andrew Wilson (Member # 538) on January 18, 2007, 07:40 PM:

Well here's my view on one of those old M.G.M two reelers.
After the title sequence,were in the Rome of 64A.D.There is a truly great scene as over 5,000 extras welcome home Marcus Vinicius(Robert Taylor)and his victorious fourteeh legion home.
He rushes into the arms of his true love,Lydia(Deborah Kerr),little realising that their love and happiness is soon to be threatened by
the vain and mad Nero(Peter Ustinov),a brillant performance from him.
Nero wishes to establish his immortality by building a new city called ...Neropolis!.
To do this,he must of course destroy Rome,and soon the whole city
is ablaze;this is truly spectacular stuff as Marcus saves Lydia,from the inferno.But the populace hold Nero responsible for
the destruction and in an attempt to save his own neck,Nero passes the blame onto that foul sect-the Christians.All is set for the gruesome area scenes,which even today are still barbaric.
We witness the halpless Christians being fed to the lions....
Nero soon pays with his life,Lydia and Marcus smile happily and a heavenly choir rings out over the end title!.
This two reeler is well edited,i wish the editor who done those old M.G.M,cut downs,would have done the Fox and Aip's as well.
My print still has strong colour,excellent sound,and fair definition.It has a slight orange tint to it.This is still well worth seeking out.It is Ustinov's film,even in this cut down,he's off his rocker.Excellent entertainment.Andy.

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on January 19, 2007, 03:36 AM:

Hi Andy,

Why you call this as two reeler while you are talking 1 x 400"?

thanks,

Posted by Andrew Wilson (Member # 538) on January 19, 2007, 04:06 AM:

Hi Winbert.Aone reeler is200ft,a two reeler is400ft etc.Every 60meters is one reel of film.Andy.

Posted by Douglas Meltzer (Member # 28) on January 19, 2007, 11:08 AM:

Winbert,

Back in the silent film days, films started out being one reelers (10-12 minutes long). In 1910, D.W. Griffith shocked the industry by coming out with a two reeler!

Doug

Posted by James N. Savage 3 (Member # 83) on February 01, 2007, 02:08 PM:

Thanks for the review Andrew.

I have the 3 x 400 foot version of Quo Vadis. It is fantastic.

Most of you long time collectors have seen the Ben Hur 3 x 400 foot digest and know how excellent it is in terms of editing and quality. I would almost bet that whoever put the Ben Hur digest together is responsible for this one as well.

It is so amazing how both of these 3 x 400 foot digests are able to relate the story and capture the essence of the whole movie in less that one hour.

For all collectors, if you like the Ben Hur 3 x 400 foot digest, then I can't recommend this one strongly enough. It is superb!

Nick.

Posted by Trevor Adams (Member # 42) on February 01, 2007, 04:03 PM:

Great colour in this one eh?Just goes to show,if you are going to keep animals you have to feed them! [Wink]

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