The storyline of Quo Vadis is the love between Lígia and Vinícius. Winicius, at first a young profligate who looks upon Lygia as his new prey, contrasted with Lygia, who is a Christian who loves Winicius, but above all Christ. Their entire relationship unfolds against the backdrop of events in ancient Rome, where the mad emperor Nero rules and where the first communities of Christians are slowly taking root.

Vinicius is the nephew of Petronius, an influential man serving Emperor Nero. Petronius is an educated intellectual who abounds in wit and good-naturedness, yet this is not enough for him to overcome his pagan mindset, which not only enslaves his mind, body, and soul, but drives him to unwise suicide.

Vinicius is quite different. He is a clumsy young man who disgusts those around him and Petronius himself with his rudeness. One day he falls in love with Lygia, which changes his life.

While searching for the beautiful Lygia, Vinicius meets the Christians with whom Lygia is hiding. Gradually, Vinicius grows closer and closer to them and is impressed by the different way these people act and live.

Rome is ruled by Nero, who considers himself an unsurpassed artist, who composes poems like no other and plays the lyre like no other.

To keep his favour, Petronius flatters Nero and encourages him in his misguided ideas. Once Petronius fails to appreciate Nero’s poem about the burning of the city, Nero decides that in order to write a better work, he needs to experience and experience for himself the burning city of Rome.

On Nero’s orders, Rome is set on fire, but Nero blames the blaze on the Christians. They are subsequently persecuted, tortured and killed in many cruel ways. Even in these moments, many around them find their way to Christ, to Truth and Love.

Parents Guide: Depiction of nudity in the revelry of drunken Romans. Half-naked Lydia, in disguise and in arena. A couple of times kissing lovers. Murder of Christians – being torn apart by lions, crucifixion, burning. Petronius’ suicide, Nero’s murder, gladiators killing each other, etc. The imprudent swearing of Tersitus. More times the drinking of wine.

Cast: Pawel Delag, Magdalena Mielcarz, Bogusław Linda, Jerzy Trela, Franciszek Pieczka, Krzysztof Majchrzak, Jerzy Nowak, Agnieszka Wagner, Malgorzata Foremniak, Piotr Garlicki, Andrzej Zielinski

Crew: Jerzy Kawalerowicz

USA / Poland, 2001

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