The Sign of the Cross
1914 · 67 MIN · IMDB 5.9 · 75 VOTES · DIR. Frederick A. Thomson
Overview
In 64 A.D., Marcus Superbus is Prefect of Rome. When the Emperor Nero decides to renew persecution of the Christians, Marcus opposes him, fearing for the safety of Mercia, the Christian woman whom he loves. Through the machinations of the Empress Poppaea and other women at court, Tigellinus, Nero's agent in the war against the Christians, convinces Nero to have Mercia arrested. Marcus appeals to the emperor for mercy, but is told that she can be saved only by renouncing Christianity. Waiting to enter the arena to be killed, Mercia steadfastly refuses to reject her religion, despite Marcus' pleas. Finally, Marcus is converted by her and they enter the arena to face death together.
Dialogue Timeline — 79 lines
A SAMPLE ACROSS THE RUNTIME — EVERY LINE IS SEARCHABLE
00:00:00 THE SIGN OF THE CROSS Roman drama film from the days of the first persecutions of christians
00:00:20 The tyrant Nero, emperor of Rome, the last of the Caesars
00:03:16 I place Caesar's honour higher than your love.
00:04:58 All followers of the new religion must be thrown into the jail under the arena. This is my wish. Caesar
00:07:47 "Death to the christian!!"
00:10:52 "Come Marcus Superbus, what are you standing about? Be cheerful, and sacrifice to Bacchus with us!"
00:13:01 "This girl belongs to the christians too!"
00:15:03 "Marcus Superbus, I've noticed that Tigellinus has sent out his spies. That means that Mercia is in danger."
00:16:26 "This is Marcus Superbus, the prefect of Rome!"
00:18:07 "Speak! Where is the place where the christians hold their meetings?"
00:22:25 The martyrs of the new faith, who were destined to cast a shadow on the glory of ancient Rome.
00:28:31 ...by secretly urging with the Caesar for her arrest, you can perhaps win Superbus for you!"
00:30:02 "I gave my heart to one who believe in the new teachings. The belief of eternal love and salvation"
00:33:33 "Search all Rome and bring the girl here!"
00:37:28 Jealousy has taken hold of Berenice and Poppea. Both entreat Nero, to have Mercia thrown in prison as well.
00:38:57 The party.
00:45:38 "Desist from me! Marcus Superbus, and look up to the cross!"
00:46:42 "...As a boy, He already taught the priests and scholars in the temple..."
00:48:24 End third part.
00:49:17 Poppea, aided by Tigellinus, advise Caesar to have the christians thrown to the lions.
00:53:10 "No Berenice, my heart belongs to she, for whom I begged for mercy."
01:00:16 "Marcus Superbus! Mercia must be thrown to the lions too."
01:01:40 "To the lions with him!"
01:07:23 The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.