The Sign of the Cross

I found this by accident on Youtube some time ago. I wasn't aware the film still existed. Apparently a company in The Netherlands has it. There are two prints online, both of which have Dutch title cards. The lesser print has English subtitles to the cards, and I would recommend that one to anyone who is not familiar with the story. Having just read the novel, I went with the better print. Both prints are 67 minutes (four reels), no musical accompaniment.

The story is faithful to the novel in most respects, including the climax. And the sets are impressive considering the time period.

Testosterone-laden William Farnum stars as the Roman Prefect Marcus Superbus. Don't confuse him with his incompetent predecessor, Marcus Belowaveragus. Marcus falls for the Christian girl Mercia. This causes problems, since Nero has just ordered Marcus to kill all the Christians. There are wild scenes of a party at Marcus' pad, where his friends make fun of Mercia, until Marcus throws them all the hell out. The finale pits Christians vs. The Lions. If these were the Detroit Lions, at least the Christians would have a chance.

Rosina Henley, as Mercia, is not unattractive, but, on the other hand, not someone I'd lose my life over. Ethel Grey Terry plays Berenice, the woman who lusts after Marcus. In the scene where he rejects her, she looks like she suddenly gets a case of IBS. I wanted to see more of Sheridan Block, who plays Nero. He seems to be wearing dreamcatcher earrings, and, in one scene, goes berserk in the manner of Jay Robinson doing Caligula in "The Robe." Charles Vernon, as the chubby, drunken Glabrio, definitely plays his role as "flamboyant."