Nero (1992)

The Emperor Caligula has gone mad. Murdering his sister's husband for conspiracy he exiles her and takes her son Lucius who begins his historical legacy as Nero. Revenge bloodlust and deception haunt Nero's rule. Afraid and paranoid Nero eventually faces his own army as an enemy and falls victim to the Rome he once ruled.System Requirements:Running Time: 192 Min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: PG-13 UPC: 043396118997 Manufacturer No: 11899 Product Description

Well Made & Entertaining Semi-Historical Story

When studying the childhood of serial-killers and mass-murderes, deemed society monsters, we discover that often times, earlier events occurred that molded and drastically transformed an individual, who later grew up to become a sociopath deprieved of feelings or conscience.

I gave this movie a 5 Stars rating because it was will written and well made. It gives us a glance at the succession of drastic events, that could have possibly transformed the child Nero, into the well known tyrant that history chastises. Most historical texts accentuate the evil acts of the 5th Roman Emperor, without exploring in dept how this young child became to be such an evil person in later years.

I rest assure that this movie does not profess to be 100% historically accurate and may surely be challenged by knowledgeable historians, but still it bears a certain degree of truth and reality, based on what we know today, on the psychological profiles of mass-murderers and serial-killers.

One can argue that had the young Nero as a child, placed in much different surroundings and faced with different life experiences, as he was growing up, would most likely have turned up to be a far different adult. I for one truly enjoyed viewing it. I am confident that you will also. June 21, 2008

Entertaining Piece Of Historical Fiction About One Of Ancient Rome's Most Infamous Tyrants

Being a long time student of Ancient Roman history I was greatly looking forward to this screen depiction of the life of the Emperor Nero, one of Rome's most controversial Emperors famed for his persecution of the Christians and the cold blooded murder of most of his own family. It mystifies me as to why the film makers took the direction they did in depicting Nero as an innocent victim of his surroundings and upbringing when in actual fact the real Nero was far from ever being that. Perhaps in these "revisionist", times it isn't considered fashionable to show a famous, or in Nero's case I should say "infamous", figure as completely without some redeeming characteristics? It is hard to tell but I believe what would have been far more interesting to see would have been a cinematic study of the "real", Nero, complex and gruesomely fascinating character that he was, who rather than being a victim of circumstances was actually someone who struck terror into everyone close to him and who was solely responsible for the cold blooded murder of totally innocent family members, senators and most famously of all the early Christians, during his reign as Rome's fifth Emperor.

All the above is not to say that this production of "Nero", is not an interesting film to watch. Quite the opposite actually and if the viewer examines the film in the knowledge that it is above all else well constructed historical fiction it actually can be seen as a first rate production in regards to solid performances, excellent costumes and authentic historical settings that reveal a great deal of care and attention to detail being put into its planning. However for any individual with a good knowledge of Nero's reign and the personalities that inhabited it, viewing this production of "Nero", can easily become an extremely frustrating viewing experience as one piece of historical fantasy follows another.

November 26, 2007

Mr. Nero's Neighborhood...

Just for the record, this film, like it's predecessors Julius Caesar and Augustus, was well done, well thought, and entertaining to watch(which is why I didn't leave this one with only one star). However, I could rate it no higher than 2 stars because of how altered and almost sanctified the portrayal of Nero's life and reign actually were. I mean, from what I've always read...he was always nuts, not only persecuted Christians but declared himself the enemy of God, etc. Here, we're forced to believe that he was some sort of victim and succombed to the pressure of bad choices only to be "redeemed" in the end. Entertaining...yet a highly inaccurate portrayal of a tyrant and one of the 1st century church's most bloodthirsty persecutors. So if you're a historical buff...you may want to pass this one up. August 22, 2007

Nero... A Love Story?

What a curious motion picture. "Nero" filmed in Tunisia (2004) portrays a completely fictitious Roman emperor.

Raised by slaves, betrayed by his closest friends and advisors, and loved by all, the perennially young Nero (he's 20 something through the whole flick!) gradually looses his way through various unconvincing plot turns and twists. In the end, he commits suicide (this at least is historically accurate) in his one love-wife-concubine's arms (this is fiction).

One wonders through this movie- why the revision of Nero? Is there really a contemporary need to put a good face on this crazed emperor after 2000 years? In deed, the final line of this fairy tale encourages this revisionist effort, "Let us forgive him, as we hope to be forgiven" (perhaps an apt self-disclosure for Neronian socio-paths!).

The DVD is beautiful filmed. Tunisia remains a forbidding and mysterious place (like Rome itself). The costuming here is vibrant, interesting, and reflects accurately the period. One tastes the dust and feels the heat in each scene.

The actors give this odd screenplay an Herculean effort. Unfortunately, the flick offers no casting list, so it is impossible to sing the laurels of anyone's particular effort. One hopes the stunning actress playing Nero's mother will win more roles in the future. Her beautiful and murderous "Agrippina" should have been award winning (she's dreamy in an evil way). Also, the philosopher-politician Seneca is brilliantly played. This actor has become Nero's tutor for me.

This movie is long, over three hours, which keeps it from earning another star. The DVD is recommendable- just remember- IT IS FICTION.
July 31, 2007

Disappointing soap opera

I am a Latin teacher, and this video takes so many liberties with historical facts, that it scarcely deserves its title. I bought it to show to my Latin classes, but because it is so untrue, I am afraid I have wasted my money.
The Nero and Agrippina portrayed in "Rome, Engineering an Empire," were much better. The film doesn't get to the real Nero, an insane, cruel and paranoid tyrant. Half of the bad things he ever did are not mentioned, and none of the good things he did are mentioned. His artistic pretensions are almost wholly omitted. Sets and costuming are good, but they do not redeem this movie. July 4, 2007

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