Decline
Of An Empire (2014/Lionsgate DVD)
Picture:
B Sound: B Extras: C- Film: D
Decline
of an Empire (also known as Katherine of Alexandria) marks the
final film for the brilliant actor Peter O'Toole. Wondering why you
haven't heard of this film? There's a reason. For one - the movie
is a dreadful watch and two - he is in the movie for barely more
screen time than a cameo.
The
story is about a martyred saint, Katherine of Alexandria, who was
brought up as a nomad and lived in the desert. She was only 11 when
Emperor Maxentius saw her whilst out on patrol. Consumed by her
beauty, impudence and uncanny talent for languages, he abducted the
child and killed her family. The slaughter was witnessed by her
young friend, Constantine, who would later become Emperor of the
Western Roman Empire. He never lost hope of finding Katherine. As a
young woman, Katherine refused to submit to Maxentius' offers of
marriage and she continually denounced his brutal enforcement of
pagan religion upon the masses.
Still
obsessed with her beauty, Maxentius brought Katherine before 50 of
Rome's finest scholars in an open court in Alexandria, where she
eloquently demolished their arguments. When Constantine learned of
Katherine's whereabouts and imprisonment at the hands of Maxentius,
he led his army from York in a desperate bid to save her.
The
dialogue in the film is probably its weakest asset along with
costumes and a cinematic look that aims for Ridley Scott-esque
heights but ends up feeling more like a re-enactment piece. In any
event, the picture and sound are fine for this DVD release -
presented in standard definition with an anamorphically enhanced
2.40:1 widescreen aspect ratio and a lossy Dolby Digital 5.1 track.
Subtitles on the disc are in English and Spanish.
Extras
include Behind The Scenes and a Trailer Gallery.
-
James Harland Lockhart V
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv
