Nero (1922 film)

Nero

Jacques Grétillat as Nero with Violet Mersereau during the film.
Directed by J. Gordon Edwards
Produced by William Fox
Written by Charles Sarver
Virginia Tracy
Starring Jacques Grétillat
Sandro Salvini
Guido Trento
Enzo De Felice
Music by Erno Rapee
Cinematography Horace G. Plympton
Edited by Hettie Grey Baker
Production
company
Distributed by Fox Film Corporation
Release dates
 May 22, 1922
Running time
 120 minutes
Country Italy
United States
Language Silent
Italian/English intertitles
Budget $358,000

Nero is a 1922 American-Italian silent historical film directed by J. Gordon Edwards and starring Jacques Grétillat, Sandro Salvini and Guido Trento.[1] It portrays the life of the Roman Emperor Nero.

The film was made by an Italian subsidiary of the Fox Film Corporation 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, including at the Colosseum. 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.[2] The film ultimately cost $358,000 to make.[3] Although the film was eventually able to gross $522,000 this came out as a nearly $60,000 loss due to advertising and distribution costs. The film ended Fox's European scheme after only one production, with an announced film of Mary, Queen of Scots never being made.

Cast

Reception

The film received very positive reviews from critics. Variety 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.[4]

Preservation status

This film is now considered a lost film.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Solomon p.58
  2. ↑ Brownlow, Kevin and John Kobal. Hollywood: The Pioneers. NY: Alfred A Knopf. p 226. ISBN 0-394-50851-3
  3. ↑ Solomon p.58
  4. ↑ Solomon p.58
  5. ↑ SilentEra entry

Bibliography

External links


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