The Sign of the Cross (1932 film): Difference between revisions
(Created page with "{{Header|The Sign of the Cross (1932 film) 03/25}}{{DEFAULTSORT:Sign of the Cross}} 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...") |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
''''' 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. | ''''' 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). | 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 == | == Plot == | ||
Revision as of 07:46, 3 April 2025
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.
External links
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:The_Sign_of_the_Cross_(1932_film) ]
Chat rooms • What links here • Copyright info • Contact information • Category:Root