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The Sign of the Cross

Play trailer Poster for The Sign of the Cross 1932 1h 58m History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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50% Tomatometer 10 Reviews 64% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
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.

Critics Reviews

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Variety Staff Variety 01/30/2009
Cast is uniformly good, but only one exceptional performance is registered. That's Laughton's. Go to Full Review Derek Adams Time Out 06/24/2006
Not for people with scruples. Go to Full Review Dennis Harvey 48 Hills 10/02/2020
All jaw-dropping is premature, however, before the real climax here... Go to Full Review James Kendrick Q Network Film Desk 09/13/2020
2.5/4
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 Go to Full Review Jeffrey M. Anderson Combustible Celluloid 08/29/2020
3/4
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. Go to Full Review María Luz Morales (Felipe Centeno) La Vanguardia (Spain) 02/28/2020
Splendid representation of an unbelievably sumptuous era. Human mass (actors and extras) management performed with absolute skill. [Full Review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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joe s 05/22/2022 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. See more william d @acsdoug 12/27/2021 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. See more 07/28/2019 The best epic movie ever made! See more 10/09/2013 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 See more 02/04/2013 High camp for 1932--Martyrdom, DeMille style!! See more 05/04/2012 A l'epoque de l'empire romain, Chretiens/Juifs, meme combat. Le peplum semble baigner dans la religion. See more Read all reviews
The Sign of the Cross

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Cast & Crew

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Cecil B. DeMille

Director

Fredric March

Marcus Superbus

Claudette Colbert

Poppea

Charles Laughton

Nero

Elissa Landi

Mercia

Ian Keith

Tigellinus

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The Sign of the Cross

The Sign of the Cross (1932) The Sign of the Cross (1932) The Sign of the Cross (1932) The Sign of the Cross (1932) View more photos

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