All language subtitles for THE_ROBE

Rome, master of the earth,

in the 18th year
of the emperor Tiberius.

Our legions stand guard
on the boundaries of civilization...

...from the foggy coasts
of the northern seas...

...to the ancient rivers
of Babylon,

the finest fighting machines
in history.

The people of 30 lands
send us tribute.

Their gold and silk,
ivory and frankincense,

and their proudest sons
to be our slaves.

We have reached the point where there are
more slaves in Rome than citizens.

Some say that we are only looters
of what others have created.

That we create nothing ourselves.

But we have made gods,
fine gods and goddesses,

who make love...

...and war.

Huntresses...

...and drunkards.

But the power lies not in their hands
of marble, but in ours of flesh.

We, the nobles of Rome,
are free to live only for our own pleasure.

Could any god offer us more?

Today we traffic
in human souls.

The slave market is crowded
because the old emperor's...

...heir and regent,
the young Caligula,

is coming to buy gladiators.

He probably
will not be pleased to see me.

Look here. Look here.
A singer, a dancer...

...a companion for a noble lady,
or a noble gentleman.

Stop, gentlemen.
A priceless gem for your household.

Look here. Look here.
A singer, a dancer...

...a companion for a noble lady
or a noble gentleman.

A physician from Egypt.
Question him if you like.

Stop and look. Stop and look.
A jewel, a jewel from the east.

You've heard of the beauty
of the Circassians. Stop and look.

A beauty from Circassia.
Stop and look.

Buy young and train them yourself.

Children grow into men and women.
These Goths grow strong.

Buy young.
Buy young and train them yourself.

Too old? Why, he's still got
ten or fifteen years left in him.

He costs no more than an ox,
and cheaper to feed.

A pair to touch the heart of any buyer.
A mother and child from Syria.

Buy them together. Buy them separately.
Smile. What's the matter with you?

Tribune. You came.
I have them. Wait.

Girls. Girls.

Look. Two identical rubies.
They're perfect.

And this one... This one is a hairdresser.
She's an expert. Look at her hands.

- Very nice. Aren't they nice, Livia?
- Let go of me.

I want to apologize for last night.
If I remember...

Anything you say
will be a lie.

Slave loose! Slave loose!

Thank you, tribune.
Thank you, tribune.

A tribune. So today in Rome a tribune
does the vile work of a slave master.

You fool!
Will you never learn?

This is senator Gallio's son
you're speaking to!

- Down on your...
- What's this? Tried it again, eh?

Give me his slate. "Highborn, educated,
qualified for household steward."

Sell him for lion bait. Put him up
as a gladiator. Never mind the price.

But, Cleander, you can't.
Caligula's buying gladiators today.

- What of it?
- What of it?

He'll get this Greek for nothing.

- He's worth at least 1,000 pieces of gold.
- He's worth his weight in dog's meat.

- No, no. Please.
- A gladiator. You heard me.

You animal. Animal!

Did you hear what he said?
Lion bait.

- I'm sorry. What were you saying?
- There's nothing more to say.

After last night you'll never hear
another word out of me.

- Not one.
- Livia, come.

In front of my friends, too.
I know you were drunk.

Drunk as a pig,
but that's no excuse.

Do you realize you've made me
the laughing stock of Rome, Marcellus?

Marcellus Gallio.

Don't think I won't talk about this.

- I intend to.
- Yes.

Me?

It's good to see you, Marcellus.

It's good to see you... again.

Then you do remember me.

Yes, of course.
Let me see now, it was the...

And your promise?
Have you forgotten that too?

What promise?

To marry me.

Was I drunk?

- That's not very flattering, Marcellus.
- Oh, I...

I mean, if you'd tell me
when I was supposed to have said this,

the... circumstances.

Oh, I remember them perfectly.
I'd cut my finger, and I cried.

And then you took a dagger
and you cut your own finger...

...to show me
that it didn't really hurt.

Then you kissed me
and I stopped crying,

and then you promised
to marry me when we grew up.

Diana.

- Where have your freckles gone?
- I lost them.

- Oh, I loved every one of them.
- Then I'm sorry I lost them.

Let me look at you.

12 years... The gods must love Capri
to make you blossom so.

- What are you doing in Rome?
- Tiberius sent me on a visit.

Since my father died, I've been the ward
of the emperor and his wife.

Yes, this is Caligula's pavilion.

The empress Julia
thinks I'd be good for him.

Caligula? You can't.

Well, he'll be emperor
someday, and...

...would that matter,
Marcellus, to you?

More than my life.
After all, I promised you.

You'll never know how seriously
I took your promise.

Do you intend
to hold me to it, Diana?

I might. But I've heard
that you've made other promises since.

But only one vow to Diana.

He's coming, Marcellus.
You'd better go.

Caligula and I have been
in competition before...

...and I've never lost to him.

- At least you're frank, Marcellus.
- I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way.

Then all the tales
I've heard of you are true.

- Every man makes enemies.
- All your enemies seem to be women.

Yes.

Begin the sale.

And why is tribune Gallio in my pavilion?
Does he seek a favor?

I invited him, sire. We were friends
many years ago when we were children.

Buying today,
or looking for amusement?

Buying, I hope, sire.
A pair of twins.

- Male or female?
- Female.

- Have them put up first.
- Sire.

No. Sit down, here with me.

You're very kind, sire.

The pleasure of our loyal tribune
is important to us.

You have such excellent taste.
These twins must be charming.

We have here two Macedonian twins,

trained as companions, entertainers,
servant for a highborn lady.

Only once a year can their like
be found on the auction blocks of Rome.

They won't be sold separately.
What am I bid?

- 500 gold pieces.
- 500.

- 1,000.
- 1,000.

- 1,200.
- 1,200.

- 1,300.
- 1,300.

Don't lose them, Gallio.

- 1,500.
- 1,500.

- 1,600.
- 1,600.

Marcellus, are you my friend
or aren't you?

Not to this extent.

2,000.

The bid stands
at 2,000 pieces of gold.

- 2,500.
- 2,500.

- You bid for yourself?
- No.

Sold for 2,500.

Forgive me, Gallio, but I have decided
to give them to the lady Diana.

- But, sire...
- You wouldn't refuse me?

No, sire.

Offered as a gladiator,
a Greek.

I guarantee his strength
and fighting spirit.

- Buy him.
- 50 gold pieces.

- 50.
- Dog's meat!

There are no more bids.
Get on with the sale.

100.

- You bid against me?
- Against tribune Quintus.

- Be careful, tribune.
- The Greek is well-qualified, sire.

He's worth a better price.

- 200 gold pieces.
- 300.

You want to make
a gift of him to me, is that it?

No, sire. I want him.

And I bid against Quintus.

- 500.
- 700.

- 800!
- 900.

1,000!

3,000!

The bid is 3,000 pieces of gold.

A little high, but I expected
to spend more on the twins.

You offend me, tribune.

I think it's time
you offend me no more.

Detail! March!

Sold to tribune Gallio.

You've made
a wonderful purchase, sir,

even though you may have
to beat him a bit at first.

Yes. Unchain him.

- Sir?
- Unchain him.

- But he's a dangerous man.
- Unchain him!

Yes, sir.

What's your name?

Demetrius, from Corinth.

When you get outside, Demetrius,
ask for the temple of Jupiter.

At the end of the street you'll find
the house of my father, senator Gallio.

It has a scarlet door.
Report to the steward there.

There are times when I'm away
with senator Gallio.

In that case,
the slave attending the front door...

...is required
to light the lamps.

To be a slave in this household
is an honor.

To be a slave anywhere
is to be a dog.

The door. Open it.
Remember to bow.

The door. Run, you fool.

- Good evening, Marcipor.
- Good evening, sir.

Oh, it's you.

No household duties.
He'll be my personal attendant.

You could have run away.
Why didn't you?

I owe you a debt, sir.
I pay my debts.

Not a slave's reason.

- More like a Roman's.
- A Greek's.

Ah, yes, I know.

In the great days of Greece,
we Romans were no more than barbarians.

Have Marcipor show you
where I keep my clothes.

- I'll change before dinner.
- Yes.

Good evening, mother.
Lucia.

I am sorry, mother, I was outbid
for those twins I wanted you to have.

- We know, Marcellus.
- Diana was here.

Diana? You should have
kept her till I got home.

Marcellus, she told us
that you and Caligula had a quarrel...

Oh, don't worry about that.

She wanted you to know,
Caligula is very angry.

- She takes him too seriously.
- She has to.

- She's going to marry him.
- Did she tell you that?

Mother, look.
I think he's in love with her himself.

As a poet says, love's like wine.
To sip it hurts nobody,

but to empty the bottle
is to invite a headache.

Well, you won't even get a taste.
She thinks you're very funny.

She does, eh?

She thought you wanted
the twins for yourself.

- Lucia.
- That's what she said, mother.

Marcellus.

Are you deliberately trying
to cut the ground from under my feet...

...or you are just too much of a fool
to understand what you've done?

You mean my difference
of opinion with Caligula today?

I lead the senators
who oppose him...

...and my son makes fun of him
at private banquets,

and now humiliates him in public.

I'm fighting for
what's left of the republic...

...against the growing
tyranny of the emperors.

- I know that.
- You know nothing!

Nothing but dice and women.

And now, by your behavior
to Caligula today, by these petty slights,

you cripple me, make my fight
look like a personal quarrel.

- Yes?
- Sir, tribune Quintus is at the door.

- For me?
- For your son.

- I'm not at home.
- Yes, sir.

Your leave. Give this to tribune Gallio
when he does come home.

Well, aren't you going to read it?

After dinner.

Good eating to you.

Ladies. Senator Gallio.

Quintus is a very important man.

He was already my enemy.

- May we know?
- It's from Caligula.

"The courage of a military tribune
must not be squandered...

...in the baths
and banquet halls of Rome.

You are ordered
to the garrison at Jerusalem."

Jerusalem.

"You will sail tonight
on the Palestine galley."

That's all. Not even an expression
of his tender regard.

Cornelia,
he will need his things.

Help your mother, Lucia.

Where's Jerusalem?

Palestine.

The worst pest-hole in the empire.

A stiff-necked, riotous people
always on the verge of rebellion.

Our legions there
are the scum of the army,

the officers
little better than the men.

Disease takes them off like flies.

Some have been assassinated,
sometimes by their own men.

Others have spared
the assassins the trouble.

What Caligula hopes he has given you
is your death sentence.

- "We who are about to die"?
- Marcellus.

Marcellus, you are the only son
I'll ever have.

You know what my ambitions
have been for you.

I know how I've disappointed you.

Try to endure it, Marcellus.

Grow hard.

Watch the hand of the man
who walks behind you.

Drink in private and sleep
with your sword at your side.

Take nothing on faith.

Bind yourself to no man.

Above all, be a Roman, my son,

and be a man of honor.

Perhaps there'll be amusement
in being a man of honor.

- Ready, sir?
- Yes, that's the last of my gear.

- Ready at the oars!
- Ready at the oars!

- Man the lines!
- Man the lines!

Careful with that, it's the wine.

Yes, sir.

No need to be
so formal, Demetrius.

We'll both need friends
where we're going.

Friends can't be bought, sir,

even for 3,000 pieces of gold.

Is there anything else
you want, sir?

No.

The lady Diana begs a word
with you, sir, before you leave.

We don't want
to lose this tide, sir.

Diana.

I came to tell you
that I'm going back to Capri...

...to ask the emperor
to intercede for you.

Why?

Well, I think Caligula
treated you unjustly.

Why, Diana?

Well, it was partly
my fault what happened.

The real reason.

Because I've found you again,
and I don't want to lose you.

Perhaps you don't believe
that a girl of 11 could fall in love...

...and stay in love
all these years.

Tribune.

Don't cry, my love.

Lucia thought I was in love.

I laughed at her,
but women are wise in these matters.

Tribune.
We'll miss the tide.

Make Tiberius promise
not to give you to Caligula...

...until I come back.

- Cast off!
- Cast off!

- Pull up!
- Lines are up!

- Start the oars!
- Start the oars!

Jerusalem's no pleasure resort
at its best.

This is the worst,
the feast they call the Passover.

This is when their soothsayers
tell them the Messiah will come.

- Messiah? What's that?
- King. Savior. Redeemer.

Son of their god...
and general troublemaker.

- He's coming here?
- No one knows.

No one knows if he even exists.

He is, but he isn't.
He hasn't come yet, but he's coming.

Every year the same.

You'll find out, tribune,
if you live long enough.

Thanks for the kind wish, centurion.

The Messiah.

There he is.

What stirred them up?
Perhaps he's coming after all, the Messiah.

Something's happening,
that's certain.

Look. There.
Those people carrying palms.

The man riding
a white donkey. See him?

Flavius, clear us a path
through these cattle.

Demetrius. Come along, Demetrius.
Your master will have you flogged.

- Did you see him?
- Who?

- The man who just rode past.
- I was over there.

He stopped here and looked at me.
He looked into my eyes.

- What did he want?
- I don't know.

I thought he was going to speak
but he didn't.

Only his eyes spoke.

Come on, Demetrius.

I think he wants me to follow him.

- Who is he? A general?
- No.

- A king?
- No, he's not a king.

He's...

I don't know.

This is for the tribune.
It's very important.

Excuse me. Let me pass, please.

Here you are, tribune.
Just as I promised you.

The finest Syrian wine
from the vintage you like the best.

And now, tribune,
there's a little matter of payment.

One, two, three, four skins
of wine you owe me for.

Four skins of wine
for four days, remember?

Who are you?

Who am I?
The tribune has a sense of humor.

- He asks me who I am.
- Ever seen this man before?

- No.
- Never saw him.

Gentlemen, please. Please. I am Caleb.
Caleb the wine merchant. Remember?

I'm an honest man.
The tribune and I have an agreement.

A skin of wine every day.
Don't you remember?

Please, gentlemen.
I want my money. I'm a poor man.

You're not poor.
You're as rich as Midas.

And you're not honest.
You're a thief.

- Then you do recognize me.
- As for being a wine merchant...

...the stuff you sell
isn't fit for a jackass.

Oh, thank you.

Oh, dear.

Tribune, what have you done?

Enjoying yourself, tribune?

The general who conquered this land
should have been strung up by his thumb.

- Demetrius, pour us some of this poison.
- The curse of empire.

But think how we make it
possible here for our...

...friends back in Rome
to enjoy themselves.

I am thinking about it.

Pilate's given orders
to arrest that fanatic.

Remember?
The day you arrived?

Oh, yes, the Messiah.
What did he do?

He's been preaching in the temple,
stirring up a commotion.

- Why don't you arrest him?
- It's not that easy.

Pilate wants it done quietly.
The man's got half the people on his side.

We've got to find out
where he holes up at night.

And that is like finding
one particular ant in an ant-hill.

Vinegar, like the rest of it.
I hope you drown.

I don't care
how you handle it, centurion.

Just do your duty.

There's one way that never fails.
But it'll cost you some money.

Demetrius,
how much is left in the purse?

- Eight gold pieces and some silver, sir.
- That should be enough.

Give him the purse.

Give him the purse!
What's the matter with you?

I'll report later. Tribune.

Pour me some of that wine.

Demetrius?

Demetrius!

Friend. Friend, can you help me?

- I'm looking for a man.
- Who?

The carpenter from Galilee,
the one called Jesus.

What do you want with him?

I must warn him.
I'm a slave like you are.

You're not even clever,
you Roman spy.

Wait.

You. Stop.

- I'm looking for the man called Jesus.
- Who?

- The one they say is the Messiah.
- I never heard of him.

Can you help me?
I'm looking for a man.

- A man? What's his name?
- Jesus. I must warn him.

You're too late.
Even now he is before Pilate.

- They found him?
- He was betrayed to them.

And by one he loved and trusted.

By his disciple,
who sat at his left hand.

Why?

Because men are weak.

Because they are cursed
with envy and cowardice.

Because they can dream
of truth,

but cannot live with it.
So they doubt.

They doubt, the fools.

Why must men
betray themselves with doubts?

Tell them, the others.

Find them and tell them
not to doubt.

Even now, not to doubt.

Tell them to keep their faith.

They must keep faith.

Wait. Tell who?

- Who are you?
- My name is Judas.

Tribune.
Tribune, wake up.

Come on.
Do I have to drag you?

Duty calls,
if the word means anything to you.

What is it?

The governor wants you.
Drunk or sober.

At this hour?

Come on. Pilate doesn't like
to be kept waiting.

Sir, I need your help.

Where's my helmet?

I spoke to you
of the man Jesus.

Oh, yes, the fanatic.

He's been arrested, sir,
for crimes he didn't commit.

So what do you expect me
to do about it?

Intercede for him.
Make them see that he's innocent.

When his trial comes up,
I'll look into it.

What's he supposed
to have done?

He's already been tried.
He's been condemned by Pilate himself.

- Pilate?
- You're going there now, sir.

Make Pilate understand,
if he stains his hands...

...with his blood,
he's worse than a murderer.

That's enough! Pilate's the governor.
The Roman governor.

He's decided and as far as I'm concerned,
that ends the matter.

- As far as you're concerned, too.
- Ready?

Yes.

For your own good, you'd better forget
you ever saw this man.

I don't like
to be kept waiting, tribune.

I'm sorry, sir.
I came as soon as I could.

I have special orders for you.

You'll report
to the emperor at Capri.

You must have
powerful friends at court.

I suppose I have, sir.

There'll be a galley for it
at the end of the week.

I have one task
before you leave.

- It's routine.
- Yes, sir.

An execution. Today.

- Three criminals.
- Yes, sir.

One of them's a fanatic.
He has a following.

There may be some trouble.

Some attempt to interfere.

- Take enough men.
- I understand, sir.

I've had a miserable night.
Factions, no one agreeing with anyone else.

Even my wife had an opinion.

Good luck.
I'm sorry to lose you.

Thank you, sir.

Give me water
to wash my hands.

- But you just washed them, my lord.
- Did I?

So I did.

Some wine before you go,
gentlemen?

- No.
- You'd better.

- Your first crucifixion, isn't it?
- Yes.

What? Never driven nails
into a man's flesh?

Hail our king. Our king.

Make way!

- Is it night?
- No.

It's the middle of the day.

This isn't like other days.

17.

Your try, Paulus.

Four.

You are lucky today, tribune.
I'm finished.

- I'm always lucky.
- You! Bring me that robe!

- I have a proposition for you, tribune.
- What?

You'll see.

- Hurry up!
- What's the matter with that slave?

- Where did you find him, tribune?
- Throw the dice again, Paulus. Come on.

Mine by right of possession.

First-class homespun,
previously owned by a carpenter of Galilee.

How much will you risk against it?

11. Tribune?

17.

Lucky again.

Tribune Gallio's
first battle's trophy,

Victory over the king
of the Jews.

We've done our duty, centurion!
There's no need to joke about it!

You can say that. You're going back
to Capri to kiss the emperor's hand.

I have to stay here
in this sinkhole.

- Get back to your post!
- Let me go.

- They say the storm's a judgment of us.
- Superstitious idiot, you!

- They say he's the son of god.
- Maybe he is! I don't know!

Father, forgive them,
for they know not what they do.

Throw that cloth over me.

Didn't you hear me?
Throw that cloth over me!

Take it off!

Take it off!

Take it off!

You crucified him.

You, my master.

But you've freed me.

I'll never serve you again,
you Roman pig.

Masters of the world,
you call yourselves.

Thieves! Murderers!

Jungle animals!

A curse on you!

A curse on your empire!

There it is again, sir.

No!

No! No!

Stop it! Stop it!

Stop it! Why don't you stop it?

- Stop what, sir?
- Were you out there?

Out where, sir?

I'm sorry.

A nightmare.

It must have been a... nightmare.

- Put him in irons, sir.
- Mad or not, he's a tribune.

I don't care what his is.
He's dangerous.

If he ask me once more
"Were you out there?"...

...in that tone of voice...

I haven't slept
since we left Joppa.

My lady.

My lady, he is here.

What's wrong, Marcellus?
You're ill.

- What is it? Let me help you.
- No one can help me.

It's enough
that I'm with you again.

Let's sit here.

You could have no trouble so great
that I'd be afraid to share it.

Ever since I went away
you've been in my heart.

Your voice in my ears,
your image in my eyes.

Waking and sleeping,
you were with me.

And even more, since it happened.

- Since what happened?
- Every evening of the voyage...

...a star appeared above
the bow, standing bright and steady...

...in the sky, as if...

As if sent
to guide the ship home.

In my illness...

...I thought
you had sent it as a sign.

It became my one link...

...with sanity.

Sanity? What do you mean?

What is it, Marcellus? Tell me.

- Marcellus?
- Don't come near me!

Keep away!

No, Marcellus! Don't!

Oh, my love, my poor love.

Tell me.

Soon enough
you'll learn the truth.

I am ill, as you guessed.

But in my mind.

The truth is, I'm mad.

My lady?

- What is it?
- A message from the emperor.

He'll see tribune Gallio at once.

Yes.

- You can't go now, not till you've rested.
- It's no use.

He already knows.

The captain of the galley ran
to report to him as soon as we docked.

I'll go with you.

I can't ask you to.

But I want you to know...

...you're free from your promise.

Sire, tribune Gallio
is here as you commanded.

But he was made ill by the voyage.

I beg you to postpone
the audience until he is rested.

- Does he ask for a postponement?
- No, sire, but I do. I implore you.

It would serve no purpose.
I will see him now.

Bring him in.

The lovely lady Diana
married to an idiot.

But she's too good
for Caligula, isn't she?

After 40 years with Julia,

my approaching death
holds few terrors for me.

Death, sire?
But my last examination proves...

...that you'll live
for 20 years at least.

- My physician is very loyal.
- Not 20, sire.

30. I read it only last night
in the entrails of an owl.

And my soothsayer
even more loyal.

The entrails of an owl.

No, stay. We may have need
of you men of science.

The entrails of an owl.

- You are welcome, tribune.
- Thank you, sire.

I bring you dispatches
from Pontius Pilate.

By your leave, sire,

he asked me to put them
into your hands and no other's.

Then they must hold bad news.

- Sit down, tribune.
- Thank you, sire.

Tell me, what was
your impression of Pilate?

- It's not my place to...
- I'm asking you.

Did you find him capable?

Yes, sire. He is considered
a good administrator.

- Stern, as befits a Roman governor?
- I'm sure of that, sire.

Just?

I... I can't say.

Why not? Surely you can give me
some sort of an answer.

Tell me, tribune,
what happened out there?

- What happened?
- Were you out there?

Marcellus!

I told you, sire, he's ill.
Let me take...

Leave him alone!
Stand back!

Tribune Gallio,
you are a Roman officer.

I command you
to get control over yourself.

Yes, sire.

This report of Pilate's,
and your own condition,

hint alike at a serious situation.

- Now speak.
- Please, Marcellus. He wants to help you.

I'm not your enemy, boy.

I fought in Iberia with your grandfather.
Your father was like a son to me.

Now tell me. Everything.

Is tribune Gallio still there?

He's been talking
for two hours, my lady.

- And?
- Hopeless, my lady.

Completely hopeless.

The son of god, eh?

What god?

I don't know, sire.

I don't know.

And you lost your wits
when he looked at you?

No.

It was later,
when I put on... the robe.

Miracles, disciples,
slaves running away...

...Roman legionaries
fraternizing with the natives...

Well, none of this
concerns us for the moment.

We must make you well.

What have you
learned gentlemen to say?

A difficult matter, sire.
Now if he were under my care...

- He'd never improve.
- Who gave you permission to speak?

The clue to this man's sanity
is not in a vial of medicine.

- Well, where then?
- In the robe that bewitched him.

- Go on.
- Plainly, there was a curse on the robe.

His only chance
is to find it and destroy it.

An interesting notion.

He's right, sire! He must be right!
The robe was bewitched!

Let me find it, sire,
and destroy it, as he says.

If you do,
your mind will be restored.

A lost robe in the hands
of a runaway slave?

- What chance would you have?
- He couldn't get away.

He must be there somewhere
still in Palestine,

with the other followers
of the... the dead man.

He had disciples and many others
who believed in him!

It's there in Pilate's message!

Who knows what powers
he left to these disciples?

Magic formulas, potions.

- Beware.
- He is dead, Dodinius.

Evil never dies. It lives in the air,
in the robe, everywhere.

Tribune Gallio,
I give you an imperial commission.

For yourself,
find this robe and destroy it.

For Rome, seek out the followers
of this dead magician.

I want names, tribune.

Names of all the disciples, of every man
and woman who subscribe to this treason.

Names, tribune. All of them.

No matter how much it costs
or how long it takes.

You will report directly to me.

I understand, sire.

- I am grateful.
- A galley will be put at your disposal.

You will leave at once,
on the first tide.

That is all.

Thank you, sire.

Wait.

For your sake, I interfered when my wife
wanted to give you to Caligula.

For your sake, I brought your tribune
back from Palestine.

For your sake,
I now free you from him.

But, sire,
I have no wish to be free.

Have you gone mad too?

He had everything then.

He could have had me too.

I wanted him,
but I wasn't sure that I loved him.

Now I am sure.

I think it my duty
to forbid you to see him again.

As a child, you were wise.

Now you reason
like a woman, foolishly.

I can't help being a woman, sire,
but I try to reason as you taught me.

You were a soldier, sire.

When you won, you could expect
your legions to cheer you.

But when you lost,
what would you have given them...

...to see the eagles
raised in your honor,

to hear your name
on every man's lips?

I like Caligula
no better than you do,

but what a wife
you would make for an emperor.

Very well, my dear.
Your tribune shall have another chance.

Thank you, sire.

When it comes,

this is how it will start.

Some obscure martyr
in some forgotten province.

Then madness,
infecting the legions,

rotting the empire,

then the finish of Rome.

But if the tribune
breaks the spell...

Spell, you fool? What spell?

This is more dangerous
than any spell...

...your superstitious mind
could dream of.

It is man's desire to be free.

It is the greatest madness
of them all.

And I have sent the most effective
physician I could find to cure it.

I have sent a madman.

Tribune! Tribune!

I warned you
not to call me tribune.

Oh, worthy merchant, then.
I have news for you. Great news.

I told you, when Abidor says
he'll find someone, he finds him.

The Greek? You found the Greek slave?
Where is he?

I haven't seen him. Not myself.
But he is known, in this village.

Cana, it's called.
You'll find him soon now.

"Soon." With you it's always
"Soon, soon".

We've been to three
provinces and a hundred...

...stinking villages.
Has he been seen?

These villagers are suspicious.
They wouldn't tell me much.

In this land of Galilee, the crucified one
has many friends, very many.

Names for your list, tribune...
merchant, I mean.

And coins for me too, no?
A coin for every name.

- The Greek. What about the Greek?
- He has been here. He may come again.

He is somewhere
in Galilee now.

He travels with one
they call the big fisherman.

- Fisherman?
- Fisherman, that's all I know...

...but you'll find out the rest.

The emperor's spy is cleverer
than a poor Syrian guide.

I'll prepare the way for you.
The generous Roman merchant...

...comes to trade
for their homespun.

Your gold will buy their answers.

And their lives.

Got any woolens?
He'll buy them. He'll buy them.

He wants all the homespun
in Galilee.

- Who is he?
- The Roman merchant.

He's paying well over market prices.

Says homespun is coming
into style in Rome.

The fine ladies dye it fancy colors.
Fancy colors.

Maybe he'll buy this.

Look what he paid me,
and there was a moth hole in it.

I wouldn't have used that rag of mine
for a donkey blanket.

Look.

Wait.

You've paid more
than you should have.

Is this how we were taught?

Do we pray to be washed
of the sin of greed...

...only to close the book,
and cheat the stranger in our midst?

Well, I'm not ashamed, Justus.
This money...

...comes from the taxes
that grind us down.

Does one crime erase another?

Friends, shall we turn dishonest
because life is hard?

I think you... gave me too much.

Thank you, friend.

I hope you'll forgive my neighbors.

I wasn't angry. A man is not cheated
when he's satisfied with the price.

But you weren't the real loser.
They were only cheating themselves.

Good day.

Wait.

I'd like to camp overnight here.
Can you suggest a place?

I'd be glad to.

You seem to have
great influence here.

Well, when age speaks,
youth listens, sometimes.

That's not what I mean.

- Are you their leader?
- I'm only a weaver.

Few travelers come to Cana.
What's the news from the great world?

The world's the same.

But I've heard that some new ideas
have sprung up.

Ideas are...

Ideas are important.
They grow like children.

- Have you any children?
- Several. And a grandchild.

We call him Jonathan, because he was born
with a crooked foot, like Jonathan of old.

Jonathan of old?

I don't suppose they teach
our history in Roman schools.

- Old Jonathan.
- Yes?

Wait for me.

- Didn't you tell me he was crippled?
- He's well now.

Old Jonathan, this is...

Caius Marcellus.
How are you, Jonathan?

I'm fine, thank you.

- Are these your donkeys?
- Yes.

Behind this house there's
a good place to camp, and a well.

Old Jonathan, come along now.
It's time for you to eat.

Already? It's early.

Perhaps Jonathan would like
a ride on a donkey.

- May I?
- Well, of course.

What's more, you can keep him.
From now on he's Jonathan's donkey.

- Mine?
- You are very generous, sir.

No. I'm still in your debt.

Is he one of us, grandfather?

You are one of us,
or you wouldn't be giving things away.

Did Jesus tell you to do that?

You must have known him.
He straightened my foot so I can walk.

- There you are.
- Go. Go.

Fast, go.
Grandfather, look, I'm riding.

I'm riding my own donkey.
Look, everybody. He's mine.

David, look.
He's my donkey. Mine.

Look, everybody.
The man down there gave him to me.

Jesus used to live near here,
you know, in Nazareth.

Almost everyone in Cana knew him.

Now upon the first day of the week

Very early in the morning

We came unto the sepulcher

And found the stone rolled away
Rolled away

The great stone

Was rolled away

And we entered into the sepulcher

And found not the body of Jesus

And lo, a voice spake to us, saying:

"Why seek ye the living among the dead
Among the dead?"

"O seek not the living among the dead."

"For he said unto you in Galilee

The Son of Man must be delivered

Into the hands of sinful men

And be crucified and rise again
Rise again."

"The Son of Man must rise again."

And lo, Jesus appeared to us

And showed us his wounds

And he said unto us there:

"Go ye therefore, the blessed

And teach all the nations

And I am with you always

I am with you

I am with you

Even to the end

Of the world"

- Who is she?
- Her name is Miriam.

You've seen my grandson.
Miriam is another on whom Jesus looked.

Another miracle?

If you want to use the word.

When she was 15,
she was struck down by paralysis.

It left her hopelessly crippled,
and hopelessly bitter about life.

She ate herself away
with hate and consumed...

...everyone around her
with her envy and malice.

But she's still a cripple.
She still can't walk.

No, she can't.

If he was such a magician,
why didn't he cure her?

He did.

I don't understand.

- Have you had supper?
- No.

Perhaps you will honor
my poor house.

Thank you.

Then one day there was
a wedding here in Cana.

The whole village
took part in it, all but Miriam.

She stayed home and wept.

A wedding, you see, when no man
would look at her and her twisted body.

But when her parents returned to the house,
they found her, as she is now,

as you saw her,
smiling and singing.

Was Jesus at the wedding?

Yes. But he came late.

So now she spends her time
singing fables about the man.

But they're not fables.

Surely you don't believe
that he rose from the dead?

He lives more surely than we do.

He's dead! And no moonstruck girl
can sing him back to life again!

How do you know that he's dead?

A soldier told me.

A soldier who... who saw the lance
thrust into his side.

A soldier who was...

Who was out there!

What's wrong?

Were you out there?

You're ill. Let me help you.

No. No. Let me alone.

Since the voyage,
I've been... I've been indisposed.

Forgive me.

My master. These Romans drink
like pigs, but they pay well.

- What do you want?
- I have news.

This peddler outside
is fresh from Jerusalem.

He says the governor
has ordered the arrest of all these...

...fanatics they are called
Christians.

And for the leaders
they pay in gold, generously.

Justus is a leader, no?

I act under
an imperial commission...

...and I report to Tiberius,
not to Pilate.

Fine. You are a rich tribune.

But what harm is it if I get
a few extra coins out of this?

Justus on the cross
is worth a year of good wine to me.

- Get back to Damascus, Abidor.
- But...

Leave now! Tonight!

You won't get rid of me so easily,
worthy merchant.

These Galileans are poor,
but they might...

...pay me well
to know who you are.

And you are the man who crucified him!
You are his murderer, they are saying!

Stop! Stop!
You are hurting me!

Let's go. Come on.

Kick him. Kick him.

- Kick him harder. Let's go.
- I'm kicking.

Go on, kick him. He'll go.

Kick him.
That's it, he'll go. Kick him.

- Good morning, sir.
- Good morning.

- Kick him.
- Jonathan, isn't it?

- Yes.
- Letting your friend have a ride?

- No, I gave him the donkey.
- You gave him the donkey?

Did your grandfather
tell you to do that?

No, sir. I... I did it myself.

Why are you so angry?

- Good morning.
- Good morning.

I didn't mean to eavesdrop.

I sit here so that I can watch
people pass.

Well, wouldn't you be angry?
I gave him the donkey for himself.

Then it doesn't matter
what he does with it.

I suppose not.

Or is it that you resent
what our master taught us?

Why should I resent it?
He means nothing to me.

Then why do you consider him
your enemy?

You see, we know
why you're here, Marcellus.

It's simple, really.
No merchant,

even a stupid one,
would have paid those prices.

And the look of you,
those shoulders.

We guessed at once
what you were.

Sit down, please,
here in the shade. The sun's hot.

Why must you do this, Marcellus?
Is it for Rome?

Yes.

And for myself, to save my reason.

Justus said you were ill.

- There's one who can help.
- No.

No, he was crucified and buried
and that was the end of him.

That was the beginning.

He's with his Father, but he left his word
with us and he taught us how to use it.

Don't confess to sorcery.
You'll only make it worse for yourself.

He was no sorcerer, Marcellus.
He cast no spells.

He only asked
two things of us:

"Love God," he said,
"and love ye one another."

And he meant not only
the Jews, but...

...the Romans and Greeks,
the slaves and soldiers,

the strong and the weak,
everyone.

He asked us to build our lives
on this love, this charity.

- To build a new world.
- Worlds are built on force, not charity.

Power is all that counts.

Perhaps we have something
better than power. We have hope.

That you of all people
should say that.

What do you mean, Marcellus?

You say he could work miracles,
but he left you as he found you.

I used to wonder at that myself,

until faith taught me the answer.

He could have healed my body...

...and then it would have been
natural for me to laugh and sing.

And then I came
to understand that...

That he had done something
even better for me.

He'd chosen me for his work.

He'd left me as I am
so that all others like me...

...might know
that their misfortune...

...needn't deprive them of happiness
within his kingdom.

It's beyond reason
that anybody should think as you do.

If you had only known him,

if you had ever looked into his eyes,
heard him speak...

- I did.
- I don't understand.

Please! It's enough.

You're in no danger from me.

I'm leaving. Now.

- We hoped you'd stay a little longer.
- Do you want to die?

- Of course not.
- Then let me go!

No one's holding you,
Marcellus.

But a man came here this morning
I wanted you to meet, the big fisherman.

- Fisherman?
- Simon the Galilean.

The one Jesus called Peter.

- Did he come alone?
- No.

No, he has a companion,
a Greek.

Where are they?

At Shalum's inn.
It's not far from here.

Marcellus?

I don't know what's in your heart.
I've tried to tell you what's in mine.

But it's clear that you are troubled,
and I wish I could help you.

Every man must find his own way,
but sometimes it's a comfort...

...to know that others, too,
have felt confused and lost.

Don't lose heart, Marcellus.

The way is never easy,
but it's a path good men must take.

I hope you'll find yours.

The Greek, Demetrius.
Where is he?

Up the stairs.
The first door you see.

Stand up in the presence
of your master.

That robe. Where is it?

The robe?

- Here.
- Keep away.

Sir, you look ill.

There. Burn it.

- Why?
- It cast a spell on me.

- It couldn't.
- I order you to burn it! Now!

Why are you afraid of it?
I'm not.

I keep it because it brings me
close to the one who wore it.

I've ordered you to burn it!

That you will have to do yourself.

I'll have you whipped
through the streets of Jerusalem...

...and sold as a galley slave.

I'll teach you
who's master here!

I know who my master is.

You're afraid, but you don't really
know the reason why.

You think it's his robe
that made you ill.

But it's your own conscience,
your own decent shame.

Even when you crucified him
you felt it, too.

The spell isn't in this room,
it's in you, in your heart, in your mind.

Face it, Marcellus.
Don't be afraid of him.

He'd understand you.

He had compassion for all men.

Marcellus.

It was for your sake that he died.

For the sake of all of us.

No! No! No!

I am not afraid.

I'm not afraid.

Until now,

you only remembered
what you did to a man.

The wrong, and your shame.

But now
you remember the man.

Come, let me present you.

Marcellus Gallio, tribune of Rome.

Peter, fisherman of Galilee.

A humble subject of the empire
is honored, tribune.

I think the honor is mine, sir.

Everybody, move closer.

Sit down, children.
Closer, everybody.

Sit down.
I want to talk to you.

Neighbors and friends,

many of us were privileged
to know our master.

But none was as close to him
as our friend Simon of Galilee,

whom he loved as his own brother,
and whom he called Peter.

On that terrible night
when he was betrayed,

when some doubted
and all fled his side,

only Peter remained steadfast,
loyal to the end.

You may speak in a moment, Peter.
Now it's my turn.

And so, my neighbors,
on this happy day,

I welcome you here to honor...

Stop it! Stop it!

Stop it!
Stay where you are!

Advance!

Halt!

Well, tribune.
Your new command?

Centurion, by what authority
do you attack these people?

I need no authority
to clean out a nest of traitors.

- Withdraw your men!
- And your authority, tribune?

- An imperial commission.
- Don't trouble, I know you have it.

But it's no longer in effect.
Tiberius is dead.

Caligula is emperor.
Hits you hard, doesn't it?

- Men!
- Wait!

An imperial commission
is good until it is personally...

...revoked by the emperor,
whoever he may be.

- Have you new orders from Caligula?
- No, but those are...

Then obey mine!

Make me obey, tribune.

No. You won't try, will you?

Brave enough with a dice
in your hands, or a cup of wine.

A tribune because you bear
an important name,

because you have
friends at court.

Well, you outrank me,
but I earned my rank, every step of it,

in Gaul and Iberia and Africa,
against the enemies of Rome.

With this.

Make me obey you, tribune,

if you're fool enough to try.

Oh, you are a fool.

I've split more men from head to foot
than you see in this square.

If I win, you'll keep your word?
You'll withdraw your men?

If you win,
they'll be yours to command.

I'll be dead.

Well? What are you waiting for?

Finish it.

You may give
that order now, centurion.

Column! Form square!

- Prepare to march!
- Prepare to march!

- Formation, turn!
- Formation, turn!

- Column! Forward!
- Column! Forward!

Marcellus?

Demetrius and I
will leave in the morning.

We go to Syria, Lebanon, then Greece,
Sicily, and finally Rome itself.

Everywhere we'll find friends.

Everywhere our movement grows.

And you, Marcellus?

I suppose I'll go back to Rome.

Demetrius and I
wondered if you'd come with us.

You want me?

We can always find use
for courage and devotion.

No. No.

It's impossible.

- I can never be one of you.
- Why not?

Marcellus, is there something
you want to tell me?

Yes.

Yes.

- I'll try.
- To make it easier...

...let me tell you
about the burden I carry.

You heard Justus say
I was steadfast and loyal.

He didn't know.

The night Jesus needed
me most, I denied him.

Not once, three times.

I swore I never knew him.

Now...

I... crucified him.

I know. Demetrius told me.

And you can forgive me?

He forgave you from the cross.

Can I do less?

Now, does anything
stand in your way?

Can you be one of us?

From this day on,

I'm enlisted in his service.

I offer him my sword,
my fortune and my life.

And this I pledge you
on my honor as a Roman.

- Will you wait for me here, please?
- Yes, my lady.

The emperor will see you now.

The lady Diana,
as beautiful as ever.

And as cold.

You have commanded
my presence here, sire.

Only because all these months
my invitations have been ignored.

I sent word that I was ill.

And you have chosen
to be a guest in the house...

...of senator Gallio,
who bears me no great love.

Shouldn't I consider
such behavior an affront?

You are the emperor, sire.

It is not in my power
to affront you.

Good. Good.

Tell me, what news had the Gallios had
of their precious son Marcellus?

- None, sire.
- And you?

He must have written to you.

Not for almost a year.

His last letter was from a village
in Palestine. A place called Cana.

And nothing since then?

Nothing from Antioch,
or Ephesus, or Corinth?

You are telling the truth,
aren't you?

Poor Diana. He's played you false,
like the rest of us.

- What do you mean?
- I mean he's here in Rome...

...and has been for some time.

- That's impossible.
- He fooled me, too.

I thought he was only
a wastrel and a clown.

And he's become one of the most
dangerous men in the empire,

a traitor and a conspirator
against the state.

- No. Not Marcellus.
- That's why he hasn't come to you...

...or his family, or his friends.

You've heard of this new sect,
these fanatics...

...who call themselves
Christians?

Well, he's one of them.
One of the ringleaders!

It can't be true!

No? Then come! I'll show you!

You'll learn!

You'll learn for yourself what kind of man
it is you prefer to your emperor!

Where is he?

Marcellus'
personal slave, remember?

The day he dared
to bid against me.

But now no longer a slave.

His partner in treason.

- Has he talked?
- No, sire.

- Ask him again!
- Where is tribune Gallio?

Where's he hiding?

Give him the wheel.

Three of them came here
together from Corinth.

The Greek slave, a Jewish fisherman,
our loyal tribune.

We've caught one.
Soon we'll have the others.

Where is he?

Give it to him.

Enough for now.
He's no good to us dead.

Let him think
about it for a while.

My lady, what's wrong?

Marcellus...

They say he's alive.

He's here in Rome.

- Who told you that?
- The emperor.

They have his slave in there.
They're torturing him.

- Demetrius is here in the palace?
- I saw him.

You are sure?

What is it, Marcipor?

What do you know about it?

You've seen Marcellus.

You're one of them.
A Christian.

Yes, my lady.

Take me to him.

I... I can't.

Oh, Marcipor,
do you think I'd betray him?

Take me to him.

Come.

Wait here.

- Where they got Demetrius?
- In the armory, below the guardroom.

I know the place.

- Where's Peter?
- At the meeting in Bovillae.

- He won't be back until midnight.
- Right. We can't wait for him.

Give me ten volunteers, the strongest
and the best, to come with me...

- ...as soon as it's dark.
- Yes.

I'll go, Marcipor.

- All right.
- Send me!

Why didn't you come?
Why have you kept away from me?

I would have come, soon.

But Caligula's decreed against us.

- He said...
- I can imagine what he said.

Whatever you are,
you're not a traitor.

- If you're still ill...
- No.

I'm well. Really well,
for the first time in my life.

- You found the robe?
- Yes.

Here it is.

Here.

Why, it's just
an ordinary homespun.

- Was it really bewitched?
- In a way.

It changed my life.
In time, it will change the world.

I don't understand.

It's a long story.
And a strange one.

- About the robe?
- Yes.

About the robe,
and the one who wore it.

- It's nearly dark.
- Good.

Send Marcipor to me
when he comes back.

Why are you dressed like that?

No, Marcellus. They'll kill you.

- You must have faith.
- Faith in what? This new god of yours?

How could he help you.
He couldn't save his own son.

They crucified him
and they'll kill you, too.

- I can't leave Demetrius to be tortured.
- But you'll leave me.

I love you. Does this dream of yours
mean more to you than our love?

Marcellus, what you've told me
is a beautiful story, but it isn't true.

Justice and charity.
Men will never accept such a philosophy.

The world isn't like that.
It never has been, and it never will be.

Why must you throw
your life away for a slave?

I owe him a great deal more
than my life.

If your god means that much to you,
I won't stand in your way.

I want to be your wife
whatever you believe.

I'd marry you if I had to share you
with a thousand gods.

Ready.

Oh, my love.

Take her home.

Diana, I'll come to you
as soon as I can.

Keep the robe for me.

- You, sentry, come with me!
- What's the watchword, tribune?

- Hurry, you fool.
- Guard!

Who's there?

Stop! You! Stop!

Get the boy up.

On the emperor's business,
open up.

What business, tribune?

If you're in command,
my message is for you.

You're not one of the Praetorian tribunes.
I know them all.

Now!

The keys! The keys, quick!

Quickly now.

I can't believe
what I am hearing.

You let them take an imperial prisoner
from the palace itself!

And you, Tribune Quintus,
where were you when this happened?

I degrade you and send you
to the galleys!

Sire, the Greek
was nearly dead.

- By now he's a corpse.
- The Greek? Who cares about the Greek?

Or the Jew fisherman
or any of the rest of them?

I want the Roman traitor
who's responsible.

The man who made fools
of the whole Praetorian Guard.

I want tribune Gallio.
I want him in my hands before sunrise!

I want him alive! I want him
to stand before me alive!

Do you hear me?
Find him or you'll all go to the galleys!

Tear the city apart if you have to!
But find him!

Now! Get out! All of you!

Go!

- Anything?
- No, sir.

- You?
- No, sir.

- Upstairs?
- No, sir.

Detail, form!

Senator.

Detail, march!

- I can barely feel the heartbeat.
- He can't die.

Is he such a valuable slave?

He's one of the most
valuable men alive.

- Well, he won't be alive for long.
- You're a physician!

There are limits to what science
can achieve, tribune.

I can't put shattered flesh
together again,

nor restore the blood he's lost.

Father in Heaven, he was the bravest
and best of thy servants.

Why hast thou abandoned him?

Let me be alone with him.

You stay, Marcellus.
And you, Diana.

Who is this man?
Is he a physician?

No. Please go.

For my sake, sir. Please.

Demetrius.

Demetrius.

- What's he doing in there? Who is he?
- I've never seen him before.

Seems to me that senator Gallio
should inform himself...

...about what goes on
in his own household,

with his own son.

This is my house, sir.
You were called here as a physician...

...not to question
my family's behavior.

I'm a physician, senator,
but first of all a Roman.

And I must tell you bluntly that...

- He's gone?
- We didn't even thank him.

What did he do?

You were here. You saw it.

- Yes, he...
- Can't you speak?

Are you bewitched?

So that's it. Sorcery!

Doesn't your friend know the penalty
for pretending to heal by such methods?

Pretending?

Marius. Marius, you did everything
in your power, and we're grateful.

- Come, stay and eat with us.
- No, thank you.

There are mysteries
to life and death, yes.

I had patients who've made
astonishing recoveries.

But I have never ascribed them
to the magic of a sorcerer.

Good night to you, senator.

Tribune.

Do you think he'll go to Caligula?

I think he's a proud man
and his pride's been hurt.

Well, if your slave's fit
to be moved, you'd better...

...take him back
to the catacombs.

- Marcipor?
- Yes.

Order a carriage and two men
to help me with Demetrius.

Yes, sir.

Sir.

I'd like to see you again,
to tell you more about our...

We are seeing each other
for the last time.

You have chosen to make yourself
an enemy of Rome.

From this night on,
I have no son.

I've brought something for you.

Tomorrow I'll send for you.

- All ready, sir.
- Yes.

Tomorrow.

We're being followed.

Faster! Faster!

- Stop at the bridge!
- Yes, sir.

- No, don't.
- For all you've been to me, thanks.

Into the carriage.

Get him to Peter.

Good-bye, friend.

Good-bye, friend.

I can only give you a few moments.

Diana.

I prayed that I'd see you again.

We haven't much time, Marcellus,
so listen.

Tomorrow you're to be put on trial
before the entire court.

- I never thought he'd give me a trial.
- Your father's a powerful man.

Caligula can't just kill you.
He's forced to prove that you're guilty.

He'll have no trouble proving it.

It's up to you, Marcellus.

What do you want me to do?

Don't defy Caligula.

Your god doesn't want you to die.
He can't.

Otherwise he wouldn't have sent
Peter to save Demetrius.

I'm afraid, Diana.

In Cana I lived with people
who were not afraid.

People who'd met Jesus face to face,
who'd spoken with him,

eaten and laughed with him.

A crippled girl who thought herself
fortunate to be lame.

A weaver whose words
were like his work:

Simple, lasting, strong.

A little boy who gave
his donkey to a friend.

Never again in his life would he own
anything as fine as that donkey,

and yet he gave it happily,
without a second thought.

If these people had denied him
one after the other, to save their skins,

would he have any followers left?

I want to think as you do.

I want to be like those people,
but I can't do it alone.

I can't do it without you.

My faith in what you told me
isn't strong enough.

If you die, I'll believe
that you died for nothing.

My lady, you'll have to go now.

Please, Marcellus.

I need you.

Senator, the emperor wishes
to speak to you and lady Diana.

Greetings to our loyal senator.

The proceedings here today
will interest you.

- Sire, I am not in the mood for...
- Patience.

- If my son is to be put on trial...
- Patience!

You will sit by me.

Thank you, sire,
but my place is with the senator.

Your place is where
your emperor decides.

Isn't that so, senator?

- You don't look very happy.
- Have I reason to be?

There isn't a woman in Rome
who wouldn't pray for this honor.

There's only one man
at whose side I pray to sit.

Before this day is out,
you'll be praying on your knees to me...

...for his life.

Senators, Romans...

...as you know, there exists today
in our empire, and even in Rome itself,

a secret party of seditionists
who call themselves Christians.

They have enlisted in their ranks
the riffraff of the plebeian class,

as well as slaves.

We have known
slave uprisings in the past.

We remember Spartacus.

But now it grieves us
to inform you...

...that one of our own tribunes
has betrayed his trust...

...and joined this party
of conspirators!

You, not we,
shall be the judges of his treason.

Bring in tribune Marcellus Gallio.

Tribune Gallio, you have been informed
of the charges against you?

I have, sire.

You stand before the senators
and nobles of Rome.

They wait to hear your defense.

It is true that I am a Christian.

It is not true that those of us
who follow the teachings of Jesus...

...are engaged in any plot
against the state.

But isn't it a fact
that you call this Jesus a king?

Yes, sire.

But his kingdom
is not of this world.

He seeks no earthly throne.

He reigns over the hearts and minds of men
in the name of justice and charity.

And are these virtues
not to be found in our empire?

Was it justice, or was it charity
that gave me my orders...

...when I put him to death
on the cross?

You put him to death?

Then why are you risking
your life for him?

I owe him more than my life.

- He forgave me my crime against him.
- Crime?

Do you maintain that it's a crime
for a Roman soldier to obey his orders?

The empire is governed by men.

Men sometimes make mistakes.

And this, sire, was the greatest mistake
ever made by Rome.

So, the empire makes mistakes.

And perhaps the emperor himself
makes mistakes?

Sire,

it is I who am
on trial here, not you.

What's that thing you're holding?

His robe.
He wore it to the cross.

Let me see it.

No. I remember. It's bewitched.

- No, sire.
- You! Take it!

- Destroy it!
- Sire, may I keep it?

Sorcery too.

Did you think
it would protect you here?

- No, sire.
- Tell me, tribune...

...do you expect us to believe
these stories that this...

...Jesus could heal
by the touch of his hand,

make the crippled walk
and the blind see again?

It makes no difference
whether you believe them or not, sire.

All that matters is that there's no story
that he ever made anyone blind.

There's no story that he made
anyone a cripple,

or ever raised
his hand except to heal.

Sire, if you'd had the chance I had,

to talk with those who knew him,
to hear his words,

to learn what was in his heart...

Stop! Are you trying
to convert me to your treason?

I only want to show you
your opportunity, sire.

If the empire desires peace
and brotherhood among all men,

then my king will be on the side
of Rome and her emperor.

But if the empire
and the emperor...

...wish to pursue the course
of aggression and slavery...

...that have brought agony
and terror and despair to the world,

if there's nothing left for men to hope to
but chains and hunger,

then my king will march forward
to right those wrongs.

Not tomorrow, sire.
Your majesty may not be so fortunate...

...as to witness
the establishment of his kingdom.

But it will come!

You have heard him.
He stands convicted out of his own mouth!

What is your pleasure?

Death!

Death!

- Death!
- Death!

- Death!
- Death!

- Death!
- Death!

You see?
It is the will of the people.

The will of your slaves and parasites.
How dare you speak of justice?

He's not a traitor. You haven't proved
that and you never will.

Then listen.
You'll see that I am just.

Listen. Tribune Gallio,
you stand condemned to death.

But it is our desire to be merciful!

We give you a chance to recant
your treason and go free!

Kneel to us and renew your tribune's
oath of loyalty to your emperor!

Renounce your misguided
allegiance to this dead Jew...

...who dared
to call himself a king!

Sire...

...with all my heart I renew my pledge
of loyalty to my emperor and to Rome.

A pledge which I have never broken.

And the other? Jesus?

Renounce him, so all can hear.

I cannot renounce him, sire.
Nor can you.

He is my king and yours as well.

He is the Son of God.

- And that is your answer?
- Yes, sire.

Tribune Gallio, we decree that you be taken
immediately to the palace archery field...

...and put to death
for high treason!

No, Diana.
No, there's no reason for it.

Sire, Marcellus is my chosen husband.

- I ask to go with him.
- Stand back.

You're not on trial.
There's no evidence against you.

Then if it please you, sire,
I'll provide evidence.

I have no wish to live another hour
in an empire ruled by you.

Dare to call yourself a Caesar.

Once the Caesars
of Rome were noble,

but in you noble blood
has turned to poison.

You corrupt Rome
with your spite and malice.

- Stop! Stop it!
- That you should be Caesar!

Vicious, treacherous,
drunk with power!

An evil, insane monster
posing as emperor!

Stop it!

As for me,
I have found another king.

I want to go with my husband
into his kingdom.

Then by the gods you shall!

Go! Both of you!
Into your kingdom!

They're going
into a better kingdom!

They're going
into a better kingdom!

They're going
to meet their king!

They're going
to meet their king!

For the big fisherman.