The Sign of the Cross

First off, I want to apologize for not making my weekly Friday posts like I always do. The reason behind it was I was away from my computer this past weekend, so I couldn't make the post. However, this week, as a special treat for missing this past Friday, I will make two posts to make up for it. Today, I would like to finish off Cecil B. DeMille's Biblical Trilogy, ending with one of the earliest sound films, the 1932 "The Sign of the Cross," based on the original 1895 play by Wilson Barrett. Here is the basic plot synopsis of the film:

"After burning Rome, Emperor Nero, played by "The Hunchback of Norte Dame" himself, Charles Laughton, decides to blame the Christians, and issues the edict that they are all to be caught and sent to the arena. Two old Christians, played by Arthur Hohl and Harry Beresford, are caught and about to be hauled off, when Marcus, the highest military official in Rome, played by Fredric March (famous for playing Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde), comes upon them. When he sees their stepdaughter Mercia, played by Elissa Landi, he instantly falls in love with her and frees them. Marcus pursues Mercia, which gets him into trouble, with the Emperor (for being easy on Christians) and with the Empress, Poppaea, played by Claudette Colbert, who loves him and is jealous." (IMDB)

What can I say about this film? It is one of those films that you just hate the Romans for doing all of this torture to the Christians. You wonder to yourself, "What in the world did the Christians do to the Romans that made the Romans and Christians enemies? Was it because they were trying to spread God's word and teach everyone of the religion?" When Poppaea is informed by Dacia, played by Vivian Tobin, of Marcus falling in love with Mercia, while Poppaea is taking a bath in donkey milk, she tells her, " Dacia, you're a butterfly with the sting of a wasp. Take off your clothes. Get in here and tell me all about it." Somebody will say that was odd for 1932, but nowadays, I think men would love that.

One part that you really start to feel hatred for the Romans is when Marcus's rival, Tigellinus, played by Ian Keith, tortures Stephanus, played by Tommy Conlon, on where the Christians will be having their secret meeting. He does the right thing as to not tell him, but when they start to burn his back, that makes Stephanus tell Tigellinus where the meeting is. Stephanus feels really bad that his body was weak and he told the Romans. Marcus goes and tries to stop them, but the Romans beat Marcus to it (because he gets sidetracked by Poppaea), and they massacre the Christians. However, when they are taking the Christians to their prison, Marcus informs the soldiers that he wants Mercia.

When Marcus finally has Mercia, he only wants her, but Mercia is saying that she is still devoted to the Christians. This shows that she is sticking to her roots and not wanting to be alone without them. Realistically speaking, if you were separated from your people, wouldn't you be devoted to them 100%? You would if they were taken away from you, put into a cell, and you were in the hands of someone you love, but only cares for you. That's a strong decision Mercia made. Also, when court temptress Ancaria, played by Joyzelle Joyner, does a very seductive dance and the Christian music just gets louder to a point that she can't stand it, that easily shows that the Romans have to be atheists or do not believe in the same tenants as the Christians, because they have their own Gods.

In the end it is agreed that the Christians will be eaten by the lions in the arena. When you see the type of stuff the Romans watch in the arena, during their time, you can easily call them savaged beasts for watching such torturing and disgusting events, and even gambling for who wins. Gladiators kill each other, African pygmies fight half-naked Amazon women to the death, men wrestle wild beasts, tigers devour maidens, and gorillas and naked girls are tied to posts. Finally, when the Christians come out, they walk out praying, but Stephanus is scared for going out there alone, and Mercia gives him hope to go out to the arena and that she'll be with him shortly. This is a reasonable reaction from someone as young as Stephanus, and Mercia is a good guide for Stephanus. Marcus comes and tells Mercia that he cannot live without her, but she says that she cannot go on without her Christian people. This is once again showing Mercia being completely devoted to her people, but Marcus is too blind by his love that he cannot see Mercia's side. However, they both walk out together, signaling that they both die together and are with each other for all eternity in paradise.

Watch this closure to the Biblical trilogy. Cecil B. DeMille is one of the greatest directors of all time that really knows how to show religion on screen. He does an outstanding job and you will just love this film because of how much you want the Christians to be the winners as opposed to the Romans. You will hate the Romans after watching this for seeing them portrayed as savages and haters of Christians for no apparent reason.

DeMille actually remade a film from this trilogy, which everyone probably knows which one I am talking about from a previous post that I made. Stay tuned Friday for a review of one of the greatest films ever made.