The Fall of the Roman Empire
1964 · 3h 8m · Drama, History, War
If you're craving sweeping historical epic drama with political intrigue and massive battle sequences, this is a solid night-in pick—it's got gravitas, a stellar cast, and genuinely compelling stakes about power and succession. Just go in knowing it's a sprawling 3+ hour commitment that prioritizes spectacle and classical storytelling over modern pacing.
Plot
In the year 180 A.D. Germanic tribes are about to invade the Roman empire from the north. In the midst of this crisis ailing emperor Marcus Aurelius has to make a decision about his successor between his son Commodus, who is obsessed by power, and the loyal general Gaius Livius.
Director: Anthony Mann
Cast: Sophia Loren, Stephen Boyd, Alec Guinness, James Mason, Christopher Plummer