''Nero'' is a 1922 American-Italian silent

historical film A historical drama (also period drama, costume drama, and period piece) is a work set in a past time period, usually used in the context of film and television. Historical drama includes historical fiction and romances, adventure films, and swa ...

directed by

J. Gordon Edwards James Gordon Edwards (June 24, 1867 – December 31, 1925) was a Canadian-born film director, producer, and writer who began his career as a stage (theatre), stage actor and stage director. Biography James Gordon Edwards was born in Montreal ...

and starring

Jacques Grétillat Jacques Marie Gaëtan Grétillat (26 August 1885 – 19 December 1950) was a French actor and film director. Grétillat was born in Vitry-sur-Seine (Val-de-Marne), and died in Paris. Partial filmography * ''Hamlet'' (1908, Short) - Hamlet * ...

, Sandro Salvini, and

Guido Trento Guido Trento (June 21, 1892 – July 31, 1957) was an Italian stage and film actor. Career Trento appeared in over seventy films during his career, mainly in Italy during the silent era. In 1922 he appeared in Fox's Italian-shot historical epic ...

.Solomon p. 58 It portrays the life of the Roman Emperor

Nero Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus ( ; born Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus; 15 December AD 37 – 9 June AD 68), was the fifth Roman emperor and final emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, reigning from AD 54 un ...

Plot

As described in a

film magazine Film periodicals combine discussion of individual films, genres and directors with in-depth considerations of the medium and the conditions of its production and reception. Their articles contrast with film reviewing in newspapers and magazines whi ...

, Poppea (Duval) conspires with Tullius (Trento), the emperor's favorite soldier, to have her carried, apparently against her wishes, to Nero's court, where she is sure that she can make him her slave. In return for his part in the plot, Tullius demands to be made governor of Cyprus. Poppea's husband protests in vain, and, refusing to follow Nero's suggestion that he slay himself, joins the legions outside of Rome. The young soldier Horatius (Salvini) while escorting the princess Marcia (Mersereau), a hostage to Nero, to her destination, falls in love with her. He goes to Spain and, when he comes back victorious, Nero (Grétillat) offers him whatever he asks in return for his valor. Horatius asks but for the fair barbarian princess and Nero gives his word. Meanwhile Tullius, ignored by Poppea, plans to usurp her place by bringing Marcia before Nero. Horatius discovers that Marcia has embraced the new religion Christianity and will not consider marrying him unless he converts. When he tries to force his love on her, she cries out for help and Mount Vesuvius erupts, and the ardent soldier falls beneath a pillar. Nero, upon seeing Marcia, desires to withdraw his word, but a storm arises and Haracius carries Marcia to safety. Irked and a prey to ennui, Nero listens to Tullius and permits him to set fire to Rome to inspire Nero's muse. When the people discover what has happened, they cry out against Nero. Poppea suggests that the people be told that the Christians set the fire, and the fickle people believe the lie, saving Nero from their just wrath. The persecutions of the Christians now begins, and Marcia and her slave are among those destined to be fed to the lions. Then the huge servant breaks the lion's jaw. Meanwhile, the legions have revolted against their oppressor and arrive during the exhibition in the arena. Nero flees but, when he cannot escape, commits suicide. Poppea, brutally kicked by Nero, dies in her betrayed husband's arms. Horatius's father Galba (Carotenuto) is proclaimed emperor, and Horatius embraces Christianity for a happy ending.

Cast

* Sandro Salvini as Horatius *

as Tullius *

Enzo De Felice Enzo is an Italian given name derivative of the German name Heinz. It can be used also as the short form for Lorenzo, Vincenzo, Innocenzo, or Fiorenzo. It is most common in the Romance-speaking world, particularly in Italy and Latin America bu ...

Otho Marcus Otho (; born Marcus Salvius Otho; 28 April 32 – 16 April 69) was the seventh Roman emperor, ruling for three months from 15 January to 16 April 69. He was the second emperor of the Year of the Four Emperors. A member of a noble Etr ...

Nerio Bernardi Nerio Bernardi (23 July 1899 – 12 January 1971) was an Italian film actor. He appeared in nearly 200 films between 1918 and 1970. He was born in Bologna, Italy and died in Rome, Italy. Selected filmography * ''Nero'' (1922) * '' The Shep ...

as The Apostle *

Adolfo Trouché Adolfo may refer to: * Adolfo, São Paulo, a Brazilian municipality * Adolfo (designer), Cuban-born American fashion designer * Adolfo or Adolf Adolf (also spelt Adolph or Adolphe, Adolfo and when Latinised Adolphus) is a given name used in Ge ...

as Hercules * Nello Carotenuto as Galba *

Americo De Giorgio Americo (or Américo) is a Portuguese- and Spanish-language given name, occasionally used as a surname and in other cultures. It is a variant of the name Henry. English diminutives or hypocorisms include Rico & Eric. People with the name includ ...

as Gracchus * Alfredo Galoar as Garth * Ernando Cecilia as Roman General * Enrico Kant as Roman Captain *

Paulette Duval Paulette Duval (1889 – 1951) was a French dancer and actress of the silent film era and early sound motion pictures. She was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1889 and raised in France. She was considered one of the most beautiful women ...

Poppea Poppaea Sabina (AD 30 – 65), also known as Ollia, was a Roman empress as the second wife of the Roman emperor, Emperor Nero. She had also been wife to the future emperor Otho. The historians of Classical antiquity, antiquity describe her as a ...

Edy Darclea Edy, provided by Rakuten, Inc. in Japan is a prepaid rechargeable contactless smart card. While the name derives from euro, euro, United States dollar, dollar, and Japanese yen, yen, it works with yen only. History Edy was launched on January ...

as Acte *

Violet Mersereau Violet Mersereau (October 2, 1892 – November 12, 1975) was an American stage and film actress. Over the course of her screen career, Mersereau appeared in over 100 short and silent film features. Early life Mersereau was born in New York City ...

as Marcia * Lina Talba as Julia * Lydia Yaguinto as 1st handmaiden * Maria Marchiali as 2nd handmaiden

Production

The film was made by an Italian subsidiary of the

Fox Film Corporation The Fox Film Corporation (also known as Fox Studios) was an American Independent film production studio formed by William Fox (1879–1952) in 1915, by combining his earlier Greater New York Film Rental Company and Box Office Attractions Film C ...

as part of an ambitious plan to make major films in Europe (with Britain and France planned as destinations as well as Italy). The film was shot on location in and around

Rome , established_title = Founded , established_date = 753 BC , founder = King Romulus (legendary) , image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg , map_caption ...

, including at the

Colosseum The Colosseum ( ; it, Colosseo ) is an oval amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy, just east of the Roman Forum. It is the largest ancient amphitheatre ever built, and is still the largest standing amphitheatre in the world t ...

. Despite the fact that production costs were cheaper in Italy than Hollywood, the film's budget continued to grow. Some differences in labor demands (Italian extras insisting on lap breaks in the afternoons) caused some difficulty for the production as well. The film ultimately cost $358,000 to make. Although the film was eventually able to gross $522,000 this came out as a nearly $60,000 loss due to

advertising Advertising is the practice and techniques employed to bring attention to a product or service. Advertising aims to put a product or service in the spotlight in hopes of drawing it attention from consumers. It is typically used to promote a ...

and

distribution Distribution may refer to: Mathematics *Distribution (mathematics), generalized functions used to formulate solutions of partial differential equations * Probability distribution, the probability of a particular value or value range of a vari ...

costs. The film ended Fox's European scheme after only one production, with an announced film of ''Mary, Queen of Scots'' never being made.

Reception

The film received very positive reviews from critics. ''

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

'' observed "There are many who will say after viewing ''Nero'' that Edwards is the only director with a legitimate claim as a rival of

D.W. Griffith David Wark Griffith (January 22, 1875 – July 23, 1948) was an American film director. Considered one of the most influential figures in the history of the motion picture, he pioneered many aspects of film editing and expanded the art of the na ...

Preservation status

''Nero'' is now considered a

lost film A lost film is a feature or short film that no longer exists in any studio archive, private collection, public archive or the U.S. Library of Congress. Conditions During most of the 20th century, U.S. copyright law required at least one copy o ...

.Progressive Silent Film List: ''Nero''
at silentera.com

References

Bibliography

* Solomon, Aubrey. ''The Fox Film Corporation, 1915-1935: A History and Filmography'' (McFarland, 2011)

External links

* * {{J. Gordon Edwards 1922 films 1920s historical drama films American historical drama films American silent feature films 1920s English-language films 1920s Italian-language films Italian historical drama films Italian silent feature films Films directed by J. Gordon Edwards Depictions of Nero on film Films set in ancient Rome Films set in the Roman Empire Films set in the 1st century Films shot in Italy Fox Film films American black-and-white films Lost American films 1922 lost films Lost drama films Lost Italian films 1922 drama films 1920s multilingual films 1920s American films Silent American drama films 1920s Italian films