View source for The Sign of the Cross (1932 film)

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[[File:The_sign_of_cross.jpg|250px|thumb|right|{{bc|Lobby card for<br>''The Sign of the Cross''}}]]
''''' The Sign of the Cross ''''' is a 1932 American pre-Code epic film produced and directed by Cecil B. DeMille, released by Paramount Pictures. Based on the original 1895 play by English playwright Wilson Barrett, the screenplay was written by Waldemar Young and Sidney Buchman. It stars Fredric March, Elissa Landi, [[Claudette Colbert]], Charles Laughton, Ian Keith, and Arthur Hohl.

Both the play and the film bear a strong resemblance to the 1895–96 novel ''[[Quo Vadis]].'' The play takes place in ancient Rome during the reign of Nero, similar to the novel. Mitchell Leisen, who also served as assistant director, handled the art direction and costume design. Karl Struss received an [[Academy Award]] nomination for Best Cinematography. This film is the third and final entry in DeMille's biblical trilogy, following ''The Ten Commandments'' (1923) and ''The King of Kings'' (1927).

== Plot ==
During the Great Fire of Rome in AD 64, Emperor Nero "fiddles." Tigellinus informs Nero that he is suspected of starting the fire; however, Nero instead blames it on the Christians. In Rome, the Apostle Titus, Mercia, and Favius are captured by a mob for their faith. Marcus Superbus, the prefect of Rome, arrives and disperses the mob, allowing the Christians to go free.

News of Marcus's mercy towards the Christians spreads throughout Rome, reaching Empress Poppaea. At a fountain, Marcus meets with Mercia again; there, Licinius reads Nero's edict to Marcus, reminding him of his duty to arrest Christians. Later that night, Titus sends Stephan, a young Christian man, to inform other Christians about the secret meeting at the Cestian Bridge. Shortly after, Marcus arrives at Mercia's home, wanting to take her for himself, but Mercia decides to remain. Stephan is arrested by Licinius on suspicion of being a Christian. In a dungeon, under torture, Stephan reveals the location of the Christians' secret meeting.

After learning of Stephan's arrest and torture, Marcus races to the meeting hoping to save Mercia. Along the way, he crashes into Poppaea's carriage. She demands Marcus stay, but he leaves her and promises to be with her in the morning. At the meeting, Roman soldiers surround the Christians, and Titus and some members of his congregation are struck dead by arrows. Marcus arrives at the meeting and saves Mercia, and takes her home, while the other Christians are arrested and imprisoned.

The next morning, Poppaea admonishes Marcus for his affections towards Mercia. Meanwhile, in the palace, Tigellinus informs Nero of Marcus's defiance of his edict. Nero accuses Marcus of betrayal. Jealous of Mercia, Poppaea persuades Nero to sign an order for Mercia's arrest. At a feast in Marcus's home, he introduces Mercia to Ancaria, who performs an exotic dance. Outside, Ancaria's performance is overshadowed by the singing of Christians. Annoyed by the noise, Marcus dismisses his guests to be alone with Mercia. He attempts to persuade Mercia to renounce her Christian faith so they can be together, but she refuses. Shortly thereafter, Licinius arrives to arrest Mercia, who is to be executed for treason along with one hundred other Christians in the arena.

Marcus returns to Nero's palace and demands that the emperor spare Mercia, but Nero refuses. The audience is entertained in the arena by several spectacles, including gladiator battles. When the time for the Christians' execution arrives, Mercia is told to stay behind by Poppaea's orders, as she is to be executed alone. In the arena, the Christians are mauled to death by lions. Following the execution, Marcus again asks for Mercia to renounce her faith and be his wife. Mercia refuses once more, but she states that she loves him. Refusing to live without her, Marcus accompanies Mercia, and they are both executed.

<gallery mode="packed" heights="200px" caption="Claudette Colbert in ''The Sign of the Cross'' ca 1932."> 
File:Claudette Colbert-milk bath.gif|Famous "milk bath" from ''The Sign of the Cross''
File:Girl and gorilla The Sign of the Cross ca 1932.jpg|Girl and gorilla ''The Sign of the Cross''
</gallery>

== Amazon product description ==
Ancient Rome comes to life on a grand scale in the epic spectacular The Sign of the Cross from legendary director Cecil B. DeMille (The Ten Commandments). In the year 64 AD, the corrupt and maniacal Emperor Nero (Charles Laughton) torches the city so he can blame the ensuing destruction on the unsuspecting Christians. Meanwhile, Roman Prefect Marcus Superbus (Fredric March) falls for an innocent and beautiful Christian maiden, Mercia (Elissa Landi). When the seductive and wicked Empress Poppaea (Claudette Colbert) learns that she has a romantic rival for Marcus’s attentions, she conspires with Nero to send all Christians to a chilling death. Filled with some of the most outrageous and breathtaking scenes ever filmed, including the infamous “milk bath”, this pre-code classic is a dynamic testament to Cecil B. DeMille’s visionary style. 

== External links ==

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