Androcles and the Lion
“SPECTACLE, ROMANCE, COMEDY!...as only Shaw could write it and the screen show it!”
Synopsis
George Bernard Shaw’s breezy, delightful dramatization of this classic fable—about a Christian slave who pulls a thorn from a lion’s paw and is spared from death in the Colosseum as a result of his kind act—was written as a meditation on modern Christian values. Pascal’s final Shaw production is played broadly, with comic character actor Alan Young as the titular naïf. He’s ably supported by Jean Simmons, Victor Mature, Robert Newton, and Elsa Lanchester.
Top Cast
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Victor Mature
Captain
Jean Simmons
Lavinina
Alan Young
Androcles
Robert Newton
Ferrovius
Maurice Evans
Caesar
Elsa Lanchester
Megaera
Reginald Gardiner
Lentulus
Gene Lockhart
Menagerie Keeper
Alan Mowbray
Editor of Gladiators
Noel Willman
Spintho
John Hoyt
Cato
Jim Backus
Centurion
Lowell Gilmore
Metellus
Woody Strode
The Lion
Strother Martin
Soldier (uncredited)
Millard Sherwood
Christian (uncredited)
Release History & Theatrical Window
December 1, 1952
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Chester Erskine
- Screenplay & Story
- George Bernard Shaw, Ken Englund, Chester Erskine
- Original Score
- Friedrich Hollaender
- Original Title
- Androcles and the Lion
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 38m
- Production Studios
- RKO Radio Pictures
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Chester Erskine
George Bernard Shaw, Ken Englund, Chester Erskine
Friedrich Hollaender
Harry Stradling Sr.
Roland Gross
Gabriel Pascal
Department Leadership Roster
Chester Erskine
Director
Gabriel Pascal
Producer
Harry Horner
Production Design
Roland Gross
Editor
William Cameron Menzies
Production Design
Harry Stradling Sr.
Director of Photography
Emile Santiago
Costume Design
Friedrich Hollaender
Original Music Composer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
NR: Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Androcles and the Lion.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Androcles and the Lion.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Androcles and the Lion
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Androcles and the Lion about?
George Bernard Shaw’s breezy, delightful dramatization of this classic fable—about a Christian slave who pulls a thorn from a lion’s paw and is spared from death in the Colosseum as a result of his kind act—was written as a meditation on modern Christian values. Pascal’s final Shaw production is played broadly, with comic character actor Alan Young as the titular naïf. He’s ably supported by Jean Simmons, Victor Mature, Robert Newton, and Elsa Lanchester.
Who directed Androcles and the Lion?
Androcles and the Lion was directed by Chester Erskine.
Who stars in Androcles and the Lion?
The principal cast of Androcles and the Lion includes Victor Mature, Jean Simmons, Alan Young, Robert Newton, Maurice Evans.
When was Androcles and the Lion released and how long is it?
Androcles and the Lion was released in 1952 with a total runtime of 1h 38m.
Who composed the musical score for Androcles and the Lion?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Androcles and the Lion was composed by Friedrich Hollaender.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Androcles and the Lion?
Androcles and the Lion holds official age classifications: US: NR (Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.).