Androcles and the Lion (1952): cast, story & where to watch
1952 · Film · ★ 5.8
Released in 1952, Androcles and the Lion is a comedy film directed by Chester Erskine, running about 98 minutes. “Story of a Christian in ancient Rome who befriends a lion” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s 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’s in it. Androcles and the Lion stars Victor Mature as Captain, Jean Simmons as Lavinina, Alan Young as Androcles and Robert Newton as Ferrovius, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.8/10, Androcles and the Lion has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Criterion Channel. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Androcles and the Lion page.
If you liked it. Fans of Androcles and the Lion tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Androcles and the Lion (1952)?
- In US, Androcles and the Lion is available to stream on Criterion Channel. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Androcles and the Lion worth watching?
- Androcles and the Lion holds an audience score of 5.8 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Androcles and the Lion?
- Androcles and the Lion stars Victor Mature, Jean Simmons, Alan Young, Robert Newton and Maurice Evans.
- When was Androcles and the Lion released?
- Androcles and the Lion was released in 1952, with a runtime of about 98 minutes.