All language subtitles for Androcles and the Lion (1952) Eng

* ANDROCLES AND THE LION *

Hail, Editor.

Hail, Cato. You look
rather pleased with yourself.

And I didn't think the top men
of Caesar's secret police ever smiled.

We have our moments.

Uh, by the way, Editor,

Caesar has asked me
to help you put on the game.

I don't need help.

With my help, your job
will soon be much easier.

You will have at least
100 Christians,

to the Coliseum every week,
for the show

And where is this endless
supply to come from?

From everywhere...

throughout the empire
and in all the provinces.

I have been instructed to take
energetic security measures...

against this riff raff who question

the divinity of our Gods
and of our emperor.

I leave immediately
to start the roundup in Syracuse.

Androcles? Androcles?

Yes, dearie?

Where are you?
Did you call me?

Come out of there.

Feeding those filthy animals
at a time like this.

We've got to run for it.
There isn't a moment to lose.

Get out of my way,
you dirty thing!

At any rate,
we'll be rid of you!

Must we go right now?

Unless you want
to be eaten by a lion.

The soldiers are rounding up Christians
for the emperor's circus in Rome.

And just guess whose name
is first on the list.

Not mine?
Oh, whose else?

They're hunting
them down alphabetically,

and you would be called Androcles.

Why, oh, why couldn't
your parents have named

you something sensible...
like Zenocles?

You go ahead, dearie.

I'll stay here and wait for them.

What do you mean
you'll stay here?

Don't you know what'll
happen to you?

No happier fate could be mine,
dearie, than to be martyred.

Oh, no, you don't.

I'm onto your little tricks.

You're just trying to get rid of me.

The moment I'm gone,
you'll be off the other way.

You think you're very smart,
don't you?

Well, we'll see about that!
Eh!...

You're hurting me, dearie.
Now, then, get hold of that bundle.

But I'd much rather stay.
Really.

On your way!

You'll have to get up earlier
in the morning,

to pull the wool over my eyes,
you Christian.

What about my pets?

Come on, boys.
We've got to go now.

They stay here,
and good riddance to them.

And maybe they'll be fed
to the lions.

Didn't you tell me
that they were Christians too?

Even the smallest sparrow.

Good. Then they won't
mind being martyrs.

Woao!...

Not this way.
Out the back, you fool.

Get a move on.

And don't try any
of your tricks on me.

Hurry up.

Andy, will you please hurry!

Nyah!

Well, how do you expect
me to get across?

Walk, dear.
You want me to drown?

It's hardly up
to your ankles.

I dare say, you wouldn't care a fin
whether I did drown or not.

No, dear.
I mean, yes, dear.

You cruel brute.

You don't care how I feel
or what becomes of me.

Yes, dear.
I mean, no, dear.

Always thinking of yourself.

Self! Self!
Self!

Always yourself.

A man has to think of himself
occasionally, dear.

A man ought to think
of his wife sometimes.

He can't always help it.

You make me think of you a great deal.
Not that I blame you.

Blame me?
I should think not.

Is it my fault
that I'm married to you?

No, dear.
That's my fault.

That's a nice thing to say.

Aren't you happy with me?

I don't complain, my love.

"Don't complain".

I won't go another step.

Oh, not again, dear.

What's the good
of stopping every two miles

and saying you won't
go another step?

We must get
to the hills before night.

There are wild beasts in the forest...
lions, they say.

I don't believe a word of it.

Always threatening me
with wild beasts...

to make me walk the very soul
out of my body...

when I can hardly drag one foot
before the other.

We haven't seen a single
lion yet.

Even a lion would make
a nice change, dear.

All right then.

If you're fonder of animals
than your own wife,

you can live with
them here in the jungle.

I've had enough of them
and enough of you. I'm going back.

No, dear, don't talk like that.

You can't go home.

Don't forget, you're my wife.

You'd be sent to Rome
and thrown to the lions.

And it would serve you right.

Well, aren't you going to stop me?

No, dear,
not if you really want to.

Then I'll make my way
through the forest...

and when I'm eaten by wild beasts,
you'll know what a wife you have lost.

Andy!

Andy!

What is it, my precious,
my pet?

What's the matter?

No, Andy. No.

No. You'll be killed.

Come back.

Did you see? A lion.

The Gods have sent him to punish us
because you're a Christian.

Take me away, Andy.

Save me.

Meggie, there's one chance
for you.

It'll take him pretty near
20 minutes to eat me.

I'm rather tough.

And you can escape
in less time than that.

Don't talk about eating...

Don't you come near my wife.
Do you hear?

Meggie, run.
Run for your life.

If I take my eyes off him,
we're done for.

Oh. He's lame.
Poor old chap.

He's got a thorn in his paw...

a frightfully big thorn.

Uh...

Did you get an awful
thorn in your paw?

Has it made you too
sick to eat the nice

little Christian man
for your breakfast?

Oh. Then I'll get
the thorn out for you.

And you can eat
the nice little Christian man...

and the nice little Christian man's
nice big, tender wife.

Uh, yes, yes, yes,
yes, yes.

Now, you're not to bite
and not to scratch...

not even if it hurts a very,
very little.

Now make velvet paws.

That's right.

Oh!

Steady, steady. Uh!....

Oh, did the nasty little Christian
man hurt the sore paw?

I'm sorry.

One more little pull,
and it'll be all over.

just one little, little, little...

Uh-uh-uh-uh.

Mustn't frighten your
kind doctor.

That really didn't hurt
at all, not a bit.

just once more.

Aw, don't be afraid.
Ready now?

There we are.
Now it's out.

Uh, lick um's paw to take away
the nasty inflammation.

There. See?

Oh, clever liony-piony.

Understands um's dear friend
Andy Wandy.

Yes.

Yes, kissums Andy Wandy.

Ooh. Hmm.

Uh, wait a minute now.

If we're going to carry on like this,
we'd better be formally introduced.

I'm Androcles.
What is your name?

Tommy did you say?
Pleased to meet you, Tommy.

Uh.
That's Androcles.

He's a sorcerer.
That's what he is.

Let's get him.

Onward, Christian soldiers.

Marching as to war.

With the cross of Jesus.

Going on before.

Here come the first
of your precious Christians.

Your Christians you mean.

The Emperor's Christians, shall we say?

Column, halt!

Into battle.

See his banners go.
Halt! Silence!

Fall out!
But no wandering off now.

Stay in your places!
Come into the square!

Is that all of them?

No. There's another group
coming from Syracuse.

How long am I supposed
to wait for them?

You're so impatient, Captain.
I'm a soldier, not a policeman.

The enemy within is just as real
as the enemy without, Captain.

I fight in my way.
You fight in yours.

Your job is finished then.
Why don't you return to Rome?

Don't you like my company,
Captain?

It's not becoming a Roman
soldier to be spied upon.

Or are my men
and I suspect too?

Christianity is very contagious,
Captain.

You never can tell where
it will strike next.

We want to be certain that it does
not strike our valiant soldiers...

and their officers.

May I suggest, madam, that you
withdraw to some place of safety?

These are dangerous Christian prisoners.
There's no telling what may happen.

I suggest that you go indoors and wait
till we clear the lot of them out of here.

But I am one of them.

Water.

Can I help you?

Water. Water.

If you please?

Why, of course, miss.
By all means.

Shall I get you a fresh bowl?
No. This will do.

Her name is Lavinia.

I envy the lion.

Which lion?

The one that will eat her.

Your impatience is at an end,
Captain.

There are your charges
from Syracuse.

Prisoners from Syracuse...
all present and accounted for.

And high time, I must say.

Is the sorcerer Androcles
amongst them?

Doesn't look much like
a sorcerer to me.

Dismissed!

Watch out for this fine
fellow, miss.

He's a sorcerer,
a real sorcerer too.

No mistake about it.

Are you a sorcerer?
No.

But I'm a very good tailor.

That's a fine dress you have on.

Worldly goods, brother.
Amen.

The prisoners from Syracuse...
all present and correct, sir.

They certainly
don't look like much.

Couldn't you have taught
them a little discipline?

You can't bang it into them, sir.

They've no religion.
That's how it is.

Fall them in with the rest.
Yes, sir.

Attention!

Fall in the prisoners!

Shall we march together, brother?
Come on! On your feet!

Soldiers, fall in!

All right! Silence!

Orders from the Captain!

Centurion. Sir.

Centurion, you are to instruct your men
that on their march to Rome...

no intimacy with the Christian
prisoners will be tolerated.

The singing of Christian hymns by
the prisoners is expressly forbidden.

Any shortcoming in this respect will be
regarded as a breach of discipline.

Prisoners. I call
your attention, prisoners,

to the fact that upon
your arrival in Rome...

you may be called on to appear
in the imperial circus...

at any time onwards according
to the requirements of the managers.

I may also inform you

that as there is a shortage
of Christians just now...

you may expect to be
called on very soon.

What will they do to us,
Captain?

The women will be
conducted into the arena

with the wild beasts
of the imperial menagerie...

and will suffer the consequences.

The men above an age to bear arms will
be given weapons to defend themselves...

if they choose, against
the imperial gladiators.

I have no more to say
to the prisoners.

God bless you, Captain.

Silence! Silence!

Tantalizing, isn't she?

Keep your mind on your job.

The Christians are my job.

They are also my prisoners
and under my charge...

until I deliver them
to the Colosseum dungeon.

Yes, Captain. Forward.

Sound the march!

Forward!
Forward march!

Good day to you, Captain.

We missed you at our celebration.

I don't celebrate
while I'm on duty.

You are right
to rebuke me, Captain.

For the moment, at least,
I sincerely regret...

that I do not enjoy
your strength of character.

By the way,
Captain, did I not say,

that Christianity was contagious?

What is your business here
with these prisoners?

I... I caught my hand
on a spear, sir.

The prisoner
was dressing it for me.

I asked him to let me
do it, Captain.

And I asked him to let me mend
his cloak. He tore that too.

Take your cloak and report
back to your quarters. Yes, sir.

And what assistance did you
gentlemen require of the prisoner?

Did you also tear your cloaks
or cut your hands?

No, sir. We were
just talking to Lavi...

I mean, the prisoner.

Get back to your quarters,
all three of you.

Report to me later.

I must reprimand
the female prisoner

for undermining
the discipline of my men.

It must cease immediately, or I shall
punish it with the utmost severity.

Is that sufficient warning?
Yes, Captain.

If I don't behave,
I shall be thrown to the lions.

And if I do behave, I shall be
thrown to the lions just the same.

Is that what you mean?

Onward, Christian soldiers.

Marching as to war.

With the cross of Jesus.

Going on before.

Christ the royal master.

Master.

Leads against the foe.

Of course,
it's no business of mine...

but I notice a slight
lowering in morale.

In your Christians?
No. In your men.

Onward, Christian soldiers.

Centurion! Yes, sir.

Halt your men.
Yes, sir.

Column...

Halt! Halt!

Centurion...

you were instructed that no lax discipline
on the march would be permitted.

In particular,
it was impressed on you...

that there would be no toleration
of the singing of Christian hymns.

I have to reprimand you,
Centurion...

for not only allowing this
but actually doing it yourself.

The men march better, Captain.
No doubt.

And for that reason,
an exception is made...

in the case of the march called
"Onward, Christian Soldiers".

This may be sung until
we reach Rome...

but the words must be
altered to...

"Throw us to the lions".

Silence! Silence!

Where's your behavior?

Is this the way to listen
to an officer?

But I think the Captain
meant us to laugh, Centurion.

It was so funny.
That is all.

The female prisoner seems to appreciate
your sense of humor, Captain.

Forward!

March!

Forward ho!

Throw us to the lions.

We shall be devoured.

Congratulations, Captain.

Your every word is their command.
I salute you.

We shall be devoured.

Throw us to the lions.

We shall be devoured.

Throw us to the...

Help me! Soldiers, ho!

Come on there! Grab hold!
Help!

What is wrong?

One of our men has been pinned
beneath a supply wagon.

Help!

Heave!

Grab hold!

I can't budge it.
More men. Get more men.

See here. What's going on here?
Who are you?

What's the meaning of this?
Get the prisoner out of here.

Thank you, stranger.
You saved my life.

Better had I saved
your soul, brother...

than your poor sinful body.

Who is that man?

He is Ferrovius.

Ferrovius. Could that be
the same Ferrovius...

who made such wonderful
conversions in the northern cities?

I'd certainly like
to meet him if it is.

We are warned that he has
the strength of an elephant...

and the temper of an angry bull.

Also that he is raving mad.

Not a model Christian,
it would seem.

You need not fear him
if he is a Christian, Captain.

I shall not fear him in any case.

Prisoner, halt!

The prisoner from Ostia, sir.

Have him fall in with the others.
Yes, sir.

And remove his chains.
This is Ferrovius, the madman, sir.

You need not fear him
if he is a Christian, Centurion.

Remove his chains.

Now remember
that you're a Christian.

You've got to return
good for evil.

That's the way to manage him, hein?

Let us go to him.

This is Androcles,
and I am Lavinia.

We will march to victory
together.

Bless you, sister.

I'm certainly glad
to meet you, Ferrovius.

I've heard a lot about you.

Thank you, brother.

Thank you, brother.

All people that
on earth do dwell.

Sing to the Lord
with cheerful voice.

Him serve with fear.

His praise forthtell.

Come ye before him.

And rejoice.

How is it possible
for them to sing...

when each day,
brings them close to death?

Those who have no hope can,
afford to be brave.

I think it is much more
than bravery.

Be careful, Captain.

Too much thinking can be
unhealthy for a Roman soldier.

Lavinia, do Christians know
how to love?

Yes, Captain.

They even love their enemies.

Is that easy?

Very easy, Captain...

when the enemies
are as handsome as you.

You're laughing at me.
At you, Captain?

Impossible.

Well, you're flirting with me,
which is worse.

But such a very handsome Captain.

Lavinia.

Why won't you let me
help you?

Make the sacrifice.

It's a small price to pay
for life in this world.

You can't be certain of any other.

Would any true happiness
come out of it, do you think?

Your soul is too demanding,
Lavinia.

It will destroy you to save itself.

Deny it before it's too late.

And what then would remain for me?

You would have life, Lavinia...

life that you can touch
and breathe and feel.

Life that is real.

Oh, look. A triumphal procession.
We must have won something.

No. It's only another batch
of Christians for the Colosseum.

Christians, by Jove.
Let's chaff them.

Column, halt!

Halt! Halt!

Who is that fop?

Lentulus. He's one
of Caesar's pets.

Centurion. Sir.

You will take charge
of the prisoners while

I inform the Colosseum
of their arrival.

Yes sir.

Column, fall out!

That woman's got a figure.

Leave her alone.
She's a Christian.

What's that got to do
with her figure?

Uh, do you turn the other cheek
when they kiss you?

What?
Do you turn the other cheek,

when they kiss you,
fascinating Christian?

Don't be foolish.

Please, don't let your friend behave
like a cad before the soldiers.

How are they to respect and obey patricians
if they see them behaving like street boys?

But I...
Pull yourself together, man.

Hold your head up,

keep the corners of your mouth firm
and treat me respectfully.

What do you take me for?
But look here...

Stuff!
Go about your business.

Plucky little filly.

I suppose she thinks I care.
Uh...

You there.

Is this a "turn the other cheek"
Christian?

Yes, sir.

Lucky for you, too, sir, if you want
to take any liberties with him.

You, uh, turn the other cheek
when you're struck, I'm told.

Yes.

By the grace of God, I do now.

Not that you're a coward,
of course, but out of pure piety.

I fear God more than man.

At least, I try to.

Hmm!... Let's see.

You know, I should feel
ashamed if I let myself

be struck like that and took
it lying down.

But then I'm not a Christian.
I'm a man.

Bravely done, brother.

Let him alone, sir,
now you've proved your point.

Hmm.

It is not proved yet.

I have not always been faithful.

The first man who struck me...

as you have just struck me...

was a stronger man than you.

He hit me harder than
I expected.

I was tempted and fell.

It was then that I first
tasted bitter shame.

I'd never had a happy
moment after that until

I'd knelt and asked
his forgiveness...

by his bedside in the hospital.

Now I have learned to resist...

with a strength that is not my own.

I'm not ashamed now, nor angry.

Pardon me, sir, but if you should
have an engagement elsewhere...

I think now is the time
to go to it.

Yes, I... I do have other business.
Good morning.

Oh, do not harden your heart,
young man.

Come try for yourself,

whether our way
is not better than yours.

I will now strike you
on one cheek...

and you will turn the other
and learn how much better you'll feel...

by not giving way
to the promptings of anger.

Somebody protect me.

I've been doing my best, sir,
but you've asked for it.

You had two whacks at him.

Come, friend. Courage.

I may hurt your body
for a moment...

but your soul will rejoice
in the victory of the...

the spirit over the flesh.

Easy, Ferrovius, easy.
You broke the last man's jaw.

Yes, but I saved his soul.

What matters a broken jaw?

Quickly, sir, run for it.
Confound it. I'm trying to.

Don't touch me.
Do you hear? The law.

Uh, the law.

The law will throw me
to the lions tomorrow.

What worse could it do
if I were to slay you?

Pray for strength,
and it shall be given unto you.

Let-Let...
Let him go, brother.

Our religion forbids you
to strike him. On the contrary.

It commands me to strike him.

How can he turn the other cheek...

if he is not first struck
on one cheek?

But I'm sure he's convinced
that what you said is quite right.

You are, aren't you, sir? Oh, I am.
I'm, absolutely.

I... I apologize
for striking you.

You see, brother?
You have convinced him.

Oh, my son.

Have I...

Have I softened your heart?

Are your feet turning
towards a better path?

Yes. There's
a great deal in what you say.

Then join us.

Come to the lions.
Come to suffering.

And death. Oh!
Help me, brother.

God has greatly blessed
my powers of conversion.

Shall I tell you a miracle...

wrought by me in Cappadocia?

A young man...
just such a one as you...

with golden hair like yours...

scoffed at and struck me.

I sat up all night
with that youth...

wrestling for his soul.

And in the morning,
not only was he a Christian...

but his hair was as white
as snow.

Oh!...

May his friend take him
away now, brother?

Yes, yes. Take him away.

The, uh...

The spirit has overwrought
him, poor lad.

Carry him gently to his house...

and leave the rest to heaven.

You are his friend, young man.

You will see that he is taken
safely home.

Certainly, sir.
I'll do whatever you think best.

I'm most happy to have made
your acquaintance, I'm sure.

You may depend on me.
Good morning, sir.

And the blessings of heaven
be upon you and him.

Mmm!...

So that is how you
convert people, Ferrovius.

Yes, child.

There's been a great blessing
on my work...

in spite of my unworthiness
and backslidings...

all through my wicked
and devilish temper.

Caesar, I hate to disturb
you in your bath...

but there are several things which
must be attended to at once.

You leave everything
to the last minute.

Be calm, Editor. You wear yourself
out with needless aggravation.

Take the baths with me.
You'll feel better.

As manager of the Colosseum
and producer of the games...

I haven't the time,
and you know it.

You want the spectacle
to be a success, don't you?

Oh, I leave that to you,
but I warn you it had better be.

I'm counting on it.

Then you had better listen
to the program.

We open as usual
with the sham battle...

wooden swords and shields
until the spectators are seated.

Then you arrive,
and the grand procession follows.

Then combats.

And after that, the Christians.

Personally, I could do
without the Christians.

We're trying
to do without them.

That is why we serve them
to the lions.

They vulgarize the whole affair.

There's no art in watching
a hungry lion being fed.

I, for one, regret the day
they were introduced into the games.

Oh, you're too civilized, Editor.
You've lost the common touch.

It is to see the Christians
that the people flock to the arena.

At the rate
we're getting rid of them...

soon there will be no Christians
to feed the lions.

Caesar will go down in history
as the Emperor who eliminated these cranks.

Hail Caesar.
On the contrary.

I'm more likely to be remembered as
the man who did most to perpetuate them.

You, Caesar?

I dare say I am doing more
to spread Christianity...

than all their preachers, missionaries
and gospel writers put together.

I shouldn't be surprised if finally
I wound up as one of their heroes.

Caesar jests of course.
Caesar does not jest.

I wager that for every Christian
that dies in the bloody sand...

two new ones leave the Colosseum.

Perhaps then Caesar
should change his tactics.

Impossible.
I am a subject of history...

and I must submit
to its inevitable course.

It is my destiny
to fan the fires of Christianity...

by offering them martyrdom
in the arena.

Column, halt!

Halt!

Now then, you Christians...

none of your larks, no singing.

Look respectable.

Look serious,
if you're capable of it.

See that big building over there?

That's the Colosseum, that is.

That's where you're
to be thrown to the lions,

or set to fight
the gladiators presently.

Think of that, and it'll help you
to behave properly.

The Colosseum.

Think of it.

I never thought I'd live to see it.

Uh, this trip has been very
educational, hasn't it?

You're a born tourist,
Androcles.

I always wanted to travel.

Too bad we won't have any time
to ourselves.

There's so many places in Rome
I'd like to visit.

It's a beautiful city, isn't it?

It's nothing compared
to where we are going.

The streets will be paved
with gold and precious jewels...

and the buildings
all white marble...

a dazzling sight
to the naked eye.

You're a bit of a tourist too,
Ferrovius.

All right, forward!

You there. You soldiers clear out
of the way for the emperor.

The Emperor?
Where's the emperor?

You're not the Emperor, are you?
It's the menagerie service.

My team of oxen is drawing the new lion
to the Colosseum.

Now you clear the road. What?
Go in after you and your dust...

with half the town at the heels
of you and your lion?

Not likely.
We go first.

Ten-shun!
Now you look here!

The menagerie service is the
Emperor's personal retinue...

and you clear out, I tell you!

You tell me, do you?
Well, I'll tell you something.

If the lion is the menagerie service,
the lion's dinner is menagerie service too.

And this is the lion's dinner!

Now back up your bullocks double quick.
Learn your place!

Now then, you Christians,
step out there.

Come along,
the rest of the dinner.

I shall be the olives
and the anchovies.

I shall be the soup.
I shall be the roast boar.

Ha, ha, ha!

And what will you be,
Androcles?

I shall be the mince pie.

Silence!

Have some sense
of your situation.

Is that the way for martyrs
to behave?

In the Emperor Domitian's reign...

a Gaul slew three men in the arena
single-handed and gained his freedom.

Could this Ferrovius surpass him?
Not in my opinion.

You think his opinion
is wrong, Captain?

I think his opinion
is prejudiced, Caesar.

And the female prisoner...

was she any more successful in her
attempts to convert you, Captain?

No more successful,
but less obvious, Caesar.

I commend your devotion
to duty, Captain.

Your devotion is only to your duty,
I hope, Captain.

Only to my duty, Caesar.
Then she was not pretty?

She was very pretty, Caesar.

You are a brave soldier,
Captain.

Hail Caesar.

Spintho. You're late.
We've missed you.

I have been at the temple
all morning.

Do the Gods treat you so poorly
that they wear you out?

You look a bit seedy.
I have not been well.

You go to the temple too often.
Piety can be overdone.

Too much religion is not good
for the liver.

One might think you had
a bad conscience, Spintho.

My conscience is as clear
as the next man's.

A small boast, Spintho.

Let us have no quarreling.

I want nothing to mar
the success of the games.

Cato, the editor fears that we shall use up
all the available Christians...

and be left with nothing
but idle time on our hands.

I shall always know
where to turn up one or two.

Caesar assures me we shall
never be without them.

I was explaining to the editor
that they are noble rascals...

who will eventually gobble us up...
as the lions now gobble them up.

They are not all noble, Caesar.

Some of them are quite
two-faced. Indeed?

I thought they were too dedicated
for double-dealing.

There are those with a foot
in both camps...

blowing with each golden wind
whither their profit takes them.

Romans one day,
Christians the next.

Thus they may rob the temple today
in the name of Christianity...

and steal from the Christians
tomorrow in the name of Rome.

How opportune for them.

Are there really
such scoundrels, Cato?

Nearer than you think,
Caesar.

Really? At the court?

What fun.
I shouldn't have believed it.

Cato insults us all by
these accusations.

I, for one, resent them.

I made no accusations, Spintho.

Think of it. A Christian at the court...
and a dishonest one.

Not anyone present, Cato?

Not Metellus?

Nor Lentulus?

Caesar.
Not the editor?

Nor the Captain?

And not...
not our pious Spintho?

Oh, no, no.
Not in a million years.

If Caesar will excuse me,
I have not been feeling well.

I remarked that you looked pale
when you came in.

I know the very physician for you.

Go to your home,
and I'll send him to you.

It will not be necessary.
I insist.

I want nothing
to spoil your good health.

We want to save,
you for better things.

Don't we, Cato?

If Caesar wishes.

Be well, Spintho.

The physician will be at your
door when you arrive.

Hail Caesar.

This dirty dog's a real Christian.

He robs temples, he does.

Smashes things mad drunk,
he does.

Steals gold vessels.
He assaults priestesses, he does.

You're the sort that makes
duty a pleasure, you are.

That's it. Strangle me.

Kick me! Beat me!
Revile me!

Our Lord was beaten
and reviled.

That's my way to heaven.

Well, if you're going to heaven,
I don't want to go there.

I wouldn't be seen with you!

Every martyr goes to heaven,
no matter what he's done.

That is so, isn't it, brother?

We all hope so.

Welcome, brother.

Why is Ferrovius so silent?

He's struggling beneath the load
of the great terror.

The great terror?
What is that?

Well, you see, sister...

he's never quite sure
of himself.

He's afraid that
at the last moment,

in the arena with all the gladiators
there to fight him...

one of them may say
something to annoy him.

And he might forget himself
and lay that gladiator out.

But that would be splendid.

What?

Oh, sister.

Splendid to betray my master,
like Peter?

Splendid to act like any common
blackguard on the day of my proving?

Woman, you are no Christian.

You know, Ferrovius,
I'm not always a Christian.

I don't think anybody is.

There are moments
when I forget all about it...

and something comes out
quite naturally, as it did then.

What does it matter?

If you die in the arena,
you'll be a martyr.

And all martyrs go to heaven
no matter what they've done.

That is so, isn't it?
Yes, that is so.

If we are faithful to the end.

I'm not so sure.

Don't say that!
That's blasphemy!

Don't say that, I tell you!

We shall be saved
no matter what we do.

Perhaps you men will all go into
heaven bravely and in triumph...

with your heads erect and golden
trumpets sounding for you.

But I'm sure I shall only
be allowed to squeeze

myself in through a little
crack in the gate...

after a great deal of begging.

I'm not good always.
I have moments only.

You're talking nonsense,
woman.

I tell you, martyrdom
pays all scores.

Well, let us hope so, brother,
for your sake.

You've had a gay time,
haven't you...

with your raids on the temples?

I can't help thinking
that heaven will be very dull,

for a man
of your temperament.

You... Uh-uh-uh.
Don't be angry.

I say it only to console you...

in case you should die in your bed
tonight, in the natural way.

Oh, no.
There's a lot of plague about.

I never thought of that.

Oh, spare me to be martyred.

Oh, what a thought
to put in the mind of a brother!

Oh.
Let me be martyred now.

I shall die in the night
and go to hell.

You're a sorcerer.

You've put death into my mind.

Oh, curse you!
Curse you!

What's this, brother?

Anger? Violence?

Raising your hand
to a brother Christian?

It's easy for you.

You're strong.
Your nerves are all right.

But I'm full of disease.

I've drunk all my nerves away.

I shall have the horrors all night.

Don't take on so, brother.
We're all sinners.

Yes.

I dare say if the truth
were known,

you're all as bad as I'm.

Does that comfort you?
Pray, man.

Pray!
What's the good of praying?

If we're martyred, we shall go to heaven,
shan't we, whether we pray or not?

What is this? Not pray?

Pray this instant, you dog!
You rotten hound!

You bleating goat.
You slimy snake.

Dear brother...

if you wouldn't mind,
just for my sake...

Well?

Don't call him by
the names of animals.

I merely meant
that they have no souls.

Oh, believe me, they have...
just the same as you and me.

I've had such friends in dogs.

A pet snake is the best
of company.

I was nursed on goat's milk.

I really don't believe
I could go to heaven

if I thought there were
to be no animals there.

Think of what they suffer here.

That is true.
Yes, that is just.

They shall have their share
of heaven.

What's that you say?
Nothing!

Do animals go to heaven or not?
I never said they didn't!

Do they or do they not?
They do! They do!

Female prisoner Lavinia.

This way, miss.

Good evening, Captain.
Are you going to scold me again?

No.

Look about you, Lavinia.

This is the arena
in which you will die tomorrow.

I know. Listen to me.

It's silent and empty now.

But tomorrow, those empty seats will
be filled with the vilest of voluptuaries...

men in whom the only passion
excited by a beautiful woman...

is a lust to see her tortured
and torn, shrieking limb from limb.

Why did you bring me here?

Because it's a crime
to gratify that passion.

It is offering yourself for violation by
the whole rabble of the streets...

and the riffraff of the court
at the same time.

They cannot violate my soul.

I alone can do that
by sacrificing to false Gods.

Then sacrifice to the true God.

What does his name matter?

We call him Jupiter.
The Greeks call him Zeus.

Call him what you will as you drop
the incense on the altar flame.

He'll understand.

No. I couldn't.

That is the strange thing, Captain...

that a little pinch of incense
should make all that difference.

Religion is such a great thing.

When I meet really religious people,
we are friends at once...

no matter what name we give to the
divine will that made us and moves us.

Are you so narrow to think
that we do not believe

in our Gods because
you will die for yours?

Do you think that I,
a woman, would quarrel

with you for sacrificing
to a woman god like Diana...

if Diana meant to you
what Christ means to me?

No.

We would kneel side by side
before her altar like two children.

Then let us do so, Lavinia.

Let us kneel together.

We cannot.

There is an abyss between us
so deep and profound

we dare not reach out
to one another...

lest we fall
and be lost forever.

Is there no pity in your God
that he would let you die for him?

I do not die for him,
but for myself.

But when men who believe neither
in my God nor in their own...

men who do not know
the meaning of the word religion...

when these men drag me
to the foot of an iron statue...

that has become
the symbol of the terror

and darkness through
which they walk...

of their cruelty and greed...

of their hatred of God
and their oppression of man...

when they ask me to pledge my soul
before the people...

that this hideous idol is God...

and that all this wickedness
and falsehood is divine truth...

I cannot do it.

Not if they put
a thousand cruel deaths on me.

If I took a pinch
of incense in my hand

and stretched it out
over the altar fire...

my hand would come back.

My body would be true
to my faith...

even if you could corrupt
my mind.

And all the time, I should
believe more in Diana

than my persecutors have
ever believed in anything.

Can you understand that?

Yes, Lavinia.
I can understand that.

But my hand would
not come back.

The hand that holds the sword

has been trained not to come back
from anything but victory.

Not even from death?
Least of all from death.

Then I must not come back
from death either.

A woman has to be braver
than a soldier.

Prouder, you mean.

"Prouder".

You call our courage pride?

There's no such thing as courage.

There's only pride.

You Christians are
the proudest devils on earth.

Pray God then my pride
may never become a false pride.

Ho there!

Is all well below?

All's well!

Thank you for trying to save me.

I knew it was no use.

But one tries in spite
of one's knowledge.

Something stirs even in the iron
breast of a Roman soldier?

It will soon be iron again.

I've seen many women die
and forgotten them in a week.

Remember me for a fortnight,
handsome Captain.

I shall be watching you perhaps.

From the skies?

Do not deceive yourself, Lavinia.

There's no future for you
beyond the grave.

What does that matter?

Do you think I'm only
running away from

the terrors of life into
the comfort of heaven?

If there were no future,
or if the future were one of torment...

I should have
to go just the same.

The hand of God is upon me.

Yes.

After all is said...

we are both patricians,
Lavinia...

and must die for our beliefs.

Farewell.

Farewell, handsome Captain.

Number 6!

Number 6! Number 6!

Retiarius versus Secutor!

Number 6!

Well, look sharp there.
You haven't not all day.

All right.
Off you go. Right!...

Will they really kill one another?

Yes, if the people
turn down their thumbs.

You know nothing about it.
The people indeed.

Do you suppose we would kill
a man worth perhaps

50 talents
to please the riffraff?

I should like to catch
any of my men at it.

I thought...
You thought.

Who cares what you think
anymore?

You will be killed right enough.

Then is nobody ever killed
except us poor Christians?

If the vestal virgins turn down
their thumbs, that's another matter.

They are ladies of rank.

Does the emperor ever interfere?

Oh, yes. He turns his
thumb up fast enough

if the vestal virgins
want to have...

one of his pet fighting
men killed.

But...

don't they ever just only pretend
to kill one another?

Why shouldn't you pretend
to die...

then get dragged out
as if you were dead...

then get up and go home?

Like an actor. See here.
You want to know too much.

There'll be no pretending
about the new lion.

Let that be enough for you.

He's hungry.

Can't you stop talking about it?

Isn't it bad enough
for us without that?

See here.
Don't be obstinate.

Come with me and drop
the pinch of incense on the altar.

That's all you need to do
to be let off.

No.

Thank you very much indeed,
but I really mustn't.

What, not to save your life?

I'd rather not.

I couldn't sacrifice to Diana.

She's a huntress, you know.
She kills animals.

Well, that doesn't matter.
Choose your own altar.

Sacrifice to Jupiter.
He likes animals.

He turns himself into an animal
when he goes off duty.

No.

It's very kind of you, but I feel
I cannot save myself that way.

I'm not asking you to do it
to save yourself.

I'm asking you to do it
to oblige me personally.

Oh, please don't say that.

You mean so kindly by me that it
seems quite horrible to disoblige you.

I must go into the arena
with the rest.

My honor, you know.

Honor?
The honor of a tailor?

Well, perhaps honor
is too strong an expression.

Still, you know, I couldn't allow

the tailors to get a bad
name through me.

How much will you remember of all that
when you smell the beast's breath...

and see him opening his jaws
to tear out your throat?

I can't bear it!

I'll sacrifice! I'll sac...

Dog of an apostate.

Judas Iscariot!

l-I'll repent afterwards.
I fully mean to die in the arena.

I'll die a martyr and go
to heaven.

But not this time. Not now.
Not until my nerves are better.

Besides, I'm too young.

I want to have just
one more good time.

I'll sacrifice!

I'll sacrifice!

I'll sacrifice!
Uh!...

Oh!...

Patf, uh, uh!...

Uh!... I'll sacrifice!

I'll sacrifice!

Brother, I can't do that.

Not even to oblige you.

Don't ask me.

Well, if you're determined to die,
I can't help you.

But I wouldn't be put off
by a swine like that.

Peace.

Peace. Tempt him not.

Get thee behind him, Satan.

Why, for two pins, I'd take a tour
in the arena myself today...

and pay you out for daring
to talk to me like that!

Hmm.

No, no. Please.
Brother, you forget.

Oh, my temper.
My wicked temper.

Oh, forgive me, brother.

My heart was full of wrath.

I should have been thinking
in your dear precious soul.

Yah!
And I forgot it all.

I thought of nothing
but offering to fight you with...

with one hand tied behind me.

Here's a nice business.

Who let that Christian out of here
and down to the dens...

when we were changing the lion
into the cage next the arena?

No one let him.
He let himself.

Well, the lion's ate him.

Poor wretch.

He won't as much as look
at another Christian for a week.

Couldn't you have saved him,
brother?

Saved him?

Saved him from a lion
that I'd just not mad with hunger?

Poor Spintho.

A martyr in spite of himself.

Shh!

Attention, please.
The emperor.

Hail Caesar.

Those about to die salute thee.

Good morrow, friends.

Everything is in readiness, Caesar.
I'm looking forward to a great day.

So be it.

Blessings, Caesar, and forgiveness.

There is no forgiveness
for Christianity.

Oh, I did not mean that,
Caesar.

I mean that we forgive you.

An inconceivable liberty!

Do you not know, woman,
that the emperor can do

no wrong and therefore
cannot be forgiven?

Well, I expect the emperor knows better.
Anyhow, we forgive him.

Metellus, you see now the disadvantage
of too much severity.

These people have no hope.

Therefore there's nothing to restrain them
from saying whatever they like to me.

They're almost as impertinent
as the gladiators.

Hmm!

Which is the sorcerer?

Me, Your Worship.
My Worship?

Good. A new title.

Well, what miracles
can you perform?

I can cure warts by rubbing them
with my tailor's chalk.

And I can live with my wife...

without beating her.

Is that all?

You don't know my wife,
Caesar, or you wouldn't say that.

Ah, well, my friend, we shall no doubt
contrive a happy release for you.

Oh, thank you.

And, uh, which is Ferrovius?

I'm he.

They tell me you can fight.

It is easy to fight.
I can die, Caesar.

That is still easier, is it not?
Not to me, Caesar.

Death comes hard to my flesh...

and fighting comes
very easily to my spirit...

oh, sinner that I'm.

Metellus, I should like to have
this man in the Praetorian Guard.

Oh, I should not, Caesar.
He looks a spoilsport.

There are men in whose presence
it is impossible to have any fun.

Men who are a sort
of walking conscience.

He would make us
all uncomfortable.

For that very reason, perhaps,
it might be as well to have him.

An emperor can hardly have
too many consciences.

Listen, Ferrovius.

You and your friends shall not be
outnumbered in the arena today.

You shall have arms, and there shall be
but one gladiator to each Christian.

If you come out
of the arena alive...

I will consider favorably
any request of yours...

and give you a place
in the Praetorian Guard.

Even if the request be that no questions
be asked about your faith...

I shall, perhaps, not refuse it.

I will not fight.
I will die.

Better stand with the archangels...

than with the Praetorian Guard.

I cannot believe that the archangels...
whoever they may be...

would not prefer to be recruited
from the Praetorian Guard.

However, as you please.

Come, let us see the show.

The hour has come, Ferrovius.

Do you still scorn
the Praetorian Guard?

I do.

Then I shall go into my box
and see you killed.

Welcome, vestal virgins.

Farewell.

Farewell, brother...

till we meet in the sweet by-and-by.

You're going too.

Take a sword here and pick out
any armor you can find to fit you.

No, really, I can't fight.
I never could.

I can't bring myself
to dislike anyone enough.

I'm to be thrown to the lions
with the lady.

Then get out of the way
and hold your noise.

You Christians have got to fight.

Here. Arm yourselves!

I'll die sword in hand...

to show the people I could fight
if it were my master's will...

and that I could kill the man
who kills me if I choose.

Put on that armor!

No armor.

Here! Do as your told!
Put on that armor!

I said no armor.

And what am I to say when I'm accused
of sending you into the arena unprotected?

Say your prayers, brother...

and have no fear
of the princes of this world.

You obstinate fool.

O Heaven, give me strength.

That frightens you, does it?
Man...

there is no terror like the terror
of that sound to me.

When I hear a trumpet,
or a drum...

or the clash of steel...

or the hum of the catapult
as the great stone flies...

fire runs through my veins.

I can feel my blood surge up
hot behind my eyes.

I must charge!

I must striker
I must conquer!

Caesar himself will not be safe
in his imperial seat...

if once the spirit gets loose
in me.

Oh, brothers, pray.

Exhort me!

Remind me
that if I raise my sword...

my honor falls...

and my master...

is crucified afresh.

In with you, into the arena!
The stage is waiting!

The emperor's waiting.
What are you dreaming of, man?

Send your men in at once!
It's these Christians hanging back.

Liar. March!

Shove them in there!
Touch them, dogs, and we'll die here...

and cheat the heathen
of their spectacle.

Brothers, the great moment
has come.

Farewell.

I'm glad,
I don't have to fight.

That would really be
an awful martyrdom.

I'm lucky.

Androcles, burn the incense.
You'll be forgiven.

Let my death atone
for both of us.

I feel as if I were killing you.

Don't think of me, sister.
Think of yourself.

That will keep your heart up.

Oh, it's you, handsome Captain.
Have you come to see us die?

I'm on duty
with the emperor, Lavinia.

Is it part of your duty
to laugh at us?

No, that's part
of my private pleasure.

Your friend here is a humorist.

I laughed at his telling you to think
of yourself and to keep up your heart.

I say think of yourself
and burn the incense.

He is not a humorist.
He was right.

You ought to know that, Captain.
You have been face-to-face with death.

Not with certain death,
Lavinia.

Only death in battle which spares
more men than death in bed.

What you're facing
is certain death.

You have nothing left now
but your faith in this craze

of yours, this Christianity.

Are your Christian
fairy stories any truer,

than our stories about
Jupiter and Diana?

In which, I may tell you, I believe
no more than the emperor does.

Captain, all that seems
nothing to me now.

I'll not say that death
is a terrible thing.

But I will say
it is so real a thing...

that when it comes close...

all the imaginary things...

all the fairy stories,
as you call them...

fade into mere dreams
beside the reality of death.

I know now that I am not dying
for stories or dreams.

My faith has been
oozing away minute

by minute whilst
I've been waiting here...

with death coming nearer
and nearer...

with reality becoming realer
and realer...

with stories
and dreams fading away...

into nothing.

Are you then going
to die for nothing?

Yes.
That is the wonderful thing.

It is since all the stories
and dreams have gone...

I have now no doubt
at all that I must die

for something greater
than dreams or stories.

But for what?

I don't know.

If it were for anything small enough
to know, it would be too small to die for.

Perhaps, after all,
I am going to die for God.

Nothing else is real
enough to die for.

What is God?

When we know that, Captain,
we shall be Gods ourselves.

Lavinia...

come down to earth.
Burn the incense and marry me.

Would you marry me
if I hauled down the flag

on the day of battle
and burnt the incense?

Sons take after
their mothers, you know.

Do you want your son
to be a coward?

By great Diana...

I think I would strangle you
if you gave in now.

The hand of God
is upon us, Captain.

What nonsense it all is.

What a monstrous thing it is that you
should die for such nonsense...

and that I should look on helplessly...

when my whole soul cries
out against it.

Die then, if you must!

But at least I can cut
the emperor's throat,

and then mine,
when I see your blood!

Lost!

Lost...
Lost forever!

I have betrayed my master.

Cut off this hand.
It has offended.

Take this sword!
Strike!

What have you done, Ferrovius?
I know not.

There was blood
behind my eyes, and...

there's blood on my sword.

What does that mean?
What does it mean?

It means that you're
the greatest man in Rome!

It means that you shall have
a laurel wreath of gold!

Superb fighter...

I could almost yield
you my throne.

It's a record for my reign.
I shall live in history.

Once, in Domitian's
time a Gaul

slew three men in the arena
and gained his freedom.

But when before
has one single man...

slain six armed men
of the bravest and the best?

The persecutions shall cease.

Ladies and gentlemen,
you are all free.

Praise the Lord.
If Christians can fight like this,

I shall have none
but Christians to fight for me.

You there. Do you hear?

You are ordered
to become Christians at once.

Pray, go into the front of the house
and enjoy the spectacle...

to which your brother
has so splendidly contributed.

Captain, oblige me by
conducting them,

to the seats reserved
for my friends.

Caesar! I must have one Christian
for the lion.

The people have been promised it.

They'll tear the decorations to bits
if they're disappointed.

Yes, true, true.

We must have someone
for the new lion.

Throw me to him.
No!

No, my friend!
You would tear him in pieces.

We cannot afford to throw away lions
as if they were mere slaves.

Caesar, the Captain.

What? Throw
a Roman Captain to the lions?

You must be out of your mind,
Cato.

I shall speak
to you about this later.

Your management of this whole
affair has displeased me greatly.

Just see what a mess we're in because
of your lack of good judgment.

Um... Caesar.

No.

This is really extremely awkward.

Why not that little chap?

He's not a Christian.
He's a sorcerer.

A very good idea.
He'll do very well.

Number 13.

A Christian for the new lion.

I'll go in his place, Caesar.
No.

I would never have another
happy hour.

No.

On the faith of a Christian...

and the honor of a tailor...

I accept the lot
that has fallen on me.

If my wife turns up,
give her my love.

Tell her my wish was
that she be happy with her next.

Poor fellow.

Farewell, brother.

Caesar, go to your box
and see how a tailor can die.

Make way for number 13 there.

Tommy!

It's you!

Good old friend.

Oh, Tommy!

It's an incredible...
An amazing thing has happened to me!

I can no longer doubt
the truth of Christianity.

This Christian sor...

Now, I wonder why
they all run away from us like that.

Sorcerer, I command you
to put that lion to death instantly.

It is guilty of high treason.

Your conduct is most dis...

Don't be afraid of him.
I am not afraid of him!

Keep between us.

Never be afraid of animals,
Your Worship.

That's the great secret.

For, you see,
he's afraid of you.

Come on now, Tommy.
Speak nicely to the Emperor.

The great, good Emperor...

who has the power
to have all our heads cut off...

if we don't behave very,
very respectfully to him.

Come on, Tommy.

Tommy! Stop!
Come back, Tommy!

Tommy, stop!
You'll get us in trouble!

Bad boy!

Stop, Tommy!

Tommy.
Stop this instant!

I'm so sorry, Your Worship.

Tommy, now...
Tommy, stop!

Back! Back!

Don't let him go.

We mustn't let him
lash himself into a rage.

You must show him,
that you are my particular friend...

if you will have the condescension.

Look, Tommy,
the nice Emperor...

is the best friend that Andy Wandy
has in the whole world.

He loves him like a brother.

You little brute.
You filthy little dog of a tailor!

I'll have you burnt
alive for daring

to touch the divine person
of the Emperor!

Oh, don't talk like that, sir.
He understands every word you say.

All animals do.
They take it from the tone of your voice.

I think he's going to spring
at Your Worship.

If you wouldn't mind saying
something affectionate.

My, uh...

My dearest Mr. Androcles.

My sweetest friend.

My long lost brother.

Come to my arm.

Whoa!
What an abominable smell of garlic!

There. You see?

Even a child can play
with him now. See?

Come. Pet him.

I must, uh...

I must conquer
these unkingly terrors.

Don't go away from him though!...

Goochy, noochy, noochy, noochy.
Goochy, noochy, noochy.

Oh, sir.

How few men would
have the courage to do that.

Yes, it, uh, takes a bit
of nerve.

Shall we call in the others
and frighten them?

Is he safe, do you think?

Oh, quite safe now, sir.

What ho there!

All who are within hearing,
return without fear.

Caesar has tamed the lion.

I have subdued the beast.

It is strange that I,
who fear no man...

should fear a lion.

Every man must fear
something, Ferrovius.

How about the Praetorian Guard
now, Ferrovius?

I accept service in the Guard, Caesar.
Very wisely said.

All really sensible men agree
that the only prudent course...

is to be neither bigoted
in our attachment to the old...

nor rash and impractical
in keeping an open mind for the new...

but to make the best
of both dispensations.

What do you say, Lavinia?
Will you, too, be prudent?

No, I shall still strive
for the God who is love.

For me, there can be no other.

May I come and argue
with you occasionally?

Yes, handsome Captain,
you may.

Caesar, give us this sorcerer
to be a slave in the menagerie.

He has a way with the beasts.

Not if they're in cages.

They should not be kept in cages.
They must all be let out.

I give this sorcerer
to be a slave...

to the first man
who lays hands on him.

You see how magnanimous
we Romans are, Androcles?

We suffer you to go in peace.

I thank you, Your Worship.

I thank you all,
ladies and gentlemen.

Come, Tommy.
Whilst we stand together...

no cage for you...

and no slavery for me.

Come on, Tommy.

Go on, Tommy.

"THE END"