After successfully campaigning in Gaul for several years, Consul Marcus Valerius arrived back in Rome with his legion. He and his men were looking forward to celebrating their return with their families and friends. The fearless warrior expected his Emperor to be pleased with his conquests, but Nero showed little interest. Other priorities were far more important. Nero ordered Marcus to assist Menecrate, the hated leader of the Praetorian Guards, in cleansing the city of its Christian presence but he refused and resigned as Consul in protest. He was immediately sentenced to death and his legion disbanded. Marcus Valerius is a valiant soldier and the killing of innocent people goes against all his principles. The former hero is now the hunted.
Fire over Rome is a smaller scale Quo Vadis, obviously on a much lower budget, but despite this, it's a neat little peplum with good performances from Lang Jeffries as the consul who realises that Nero is a Christian killing nut job and other actors, too. It moves briskly, wastes no time in over padding and its focus is more on the conflict than the romance (Quo Vadis lingered on this). There's some good swordplay. Yes, the overview of Rome burning is obviously models, but the fire scene within city is well-done, as well as can be for a B-picture.
Fire over Rome is a smaller scale Quo Vadis, obviously on a much lower budget, but despite this, it's a neat little peplum with good performances from Lang Jeffries as the consul who realises that Nero is a Christian killing nut job and other actors, too. It moves briskly, wastes no time in over padding and its focus is more on the conflict than the romance (Quo Vadis lingered on this). There's some good swordplay. Yes, the overview of Rome burning is obviously models, but the fire scene within city is well-done, as well as can be for a B-picture.
