Nero (1922 film)

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Nero is a 1922 silent historical film produced by Fox Film Corporation and directed by J. Gordon Edwards. It’s an American–Italian production about the life of the Roman Emperor Nero. The cast includes Jacques Grétillat as Nero, Sandro Salvini as Horatius, Guido Trento as Tullius, and Enzo De Felice. Poppea is played by Duval, Princess Marcia by Mersereau, and Galba by Carotenuto.

Story in simple terms:
- Poppea schemes with Tullius, Nero’s favorite soldier, to bring her to Nero’s court so she can become his mistress. Tullius wants to be governor of Cyprus in return.
- Poppea’s husband protests and refuses to kill himself, then joins the Roman legions outside Rome.
- Horatius, escorting Princess Marcia (a hostage) to Nero, falls in love with her.
- Nero promises Horatius anything he asks; Horatius asks to marry Marcia, but she is a Christian and won’t convert.
- After a clash over love and faith, Nero allows Tullius to set Rome on fire to inspire his art. The people blame the Christians, at Poppea’s suggestion.
- Christians are persecuted. Marcia and her slave are condemned to the lions, but a mighty servant breaks the lions’ jaws.
- The legions rebel and arrive during an arena display. Nero flees and then commits suicide. Poppea is killed, and Horatius’s father Galba is proclaimed emperor.
- Horatius converts to Christianity for a hopeful ending.

Production and reception:
- The film was shot in Italy, on location around Rome including the Colosseum. It cost about $358,000 to make and grossed about $522,000, but advertising and distribution costs left a financial loss.
- It ended Fox’s European project, with a planned Mary, Queen of Scots film never made.
- Nero received positive reviews, with Variety praising director Edwards as a strong rival to D.W. Griffith.

Preservation:
- Nero is considered a lost film; no known prints exist in film archives.
- In February 2021, the National Film Preservation Board listed Nero among Lost U.S. Silent Feature Films.