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The Sign of the Cross

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After Emperor Nero (Charles Laughton) blames the Christians for burning Rome, he orders that they be sent to the Colosseum. While rounding them up, military leader Marcus Superbus (Fredric March) meets pretty young Mercia (Elissa Landi), who begs him to free her stepfather, Titus (Arthur Hohl). Marcus does so with the hope of seducing her but is unsuccessful. Empress Poppaea (Claudette Colbert), who has her eye on Marcus, soon learns of Mercia and, out of jealousy, orders her fed to the lions.
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Critics Reviews

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Variety Staff Variety Cast is uniformly good, but only one exceptional performance is registered. That's Laughton's. Jan 30, 2009 Full Review Derek Adams Time Out Not for people with scruples. Jun 24, 2006 Full Review Dennis Harvey 48 Hills All jaw-dropping is premature, however, before the real climax here... Oct 2, 2020 Full Review James Kendrick Q Network Film Desk an effective portrait of human sadism as entertainment, although it is hard not to feel confused as to whether we're watching Rome's sadism or DeMille's Rated: 2.5/4 Sep 13, 2020 Full Review Jeffrey M. Anderson Combustible Celluloid This early, pre-code Cecil B. DeMille spectacular is famous for pretending to be a religious epic, while actually being full of sex and violence. Rated: 3/4 Aug 29, 2020 Full Review María Luz Morales (Felipe Centeno) La Vanguardia (Spain) Splendid representation of an unbelievably sumptuous era. Human mass (actors and extras) management performed with absolute skill. [Full Review in Spanish] Feb 28, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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StephenPaul C The greatest 01 hour: and 58 minutes based on historical events!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/19/23 Full Review joe s A typical Cecil B.DeMille production exhibiting the director's tastelessness, corny dialog, and spectacle. Colbert bathes in mare's milk (real mare's milk which after awhile turned into cheese [true]adding a proper aroma to the film). March plays a Roman with the stupid name of Marcus Superbus . It is only worth it to see Laughton's campy Nero with a new nose and a handsome nude man by his side. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review william d Perhaps it was considered an epic spectacle in 1932, but now the dialogue and acting seem stiff and wooden. Skip ahead about 90 minutes and just watch the arena scenes. Those are kind of interesting. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member The best epic movie ever made! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member this was one of the first pre-code pics i watched and got me totally hooked on them this one did it 4 me couldnt believe what they got away with Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member High camp for 1932--Martyrdom, DeMille style!! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Sign of the Cross

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The Sign of the Cross

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Movie Info

Synopsis After Emperor Nero (Charles Laughton) blames the Christians for burning Rome, he orders that they be sent to the Colosseum. While rounding them up, military leader Marcus Superbus (Fredric March) meets pretty young Mercia (Elissa Landi), who begs him to free her stepfather, Titus (Arthur Hohl). Marcus does so with the hope of seducing her but is unsuccessful. Empress Poppaea (Claudette Colbert), who has her eye on Marcus, soon learns of Mercia and, out of jealousy, orders her fed to the lions.
Director
Cecil B. DeMille
Producer
Cecil B. DeMille
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Paramount
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 30, 1932, Original
Release Date (DVD)
May 10, 2011
Runtime
1h 58m