Ancient Rome's 9/11: arson, conspiracy, and firefighters who actually gave a damn.
At the time of Nero, the Empire is at the height of its power, but Rome, where a million inhabitants live, is afraid of its enemies, of foreigners, of barbarians. Rome is afraid of the Tyrant and of its own power. And all these fears seem to crystallize in that of fire, more than anything else feared in this megalopolis that so often catches fire. In 64 A.D. the most terrible fire that the city has ever known broke out. It is said that it was set on the orders of Nero, in order to overwhelm the Christians who were accused of it. The watchmen, Celer and Theseus, intervene at the risk of their lives. This fictional documentary tells the story of the adventures of these two "firemen" in Rome during the Empire. An astonishing journey through time, the story of the life of men: customs, family, lifestyle, politics, education, leisure.
Production
Recreated Rome feels lived-in, sweaty, and genuinely flammable.
Practical Effects
Fire effects that'll make you check your smoke detector.
Director
Robert Kechichian
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Most 'Nero fiddled while Rome burned' accounts were written decades later by historians who hated him. Tacitus, the earliest source, actually says Nero was at Antium and rushed back to organize relief.
This 2005 production rode the wave of post-Gladiator ancient Rome obsession, but chose documentary realism over spectacle — basically the anti-Ridley Scott move.
FR
