Original subtitles

THE SIGN OF THE CROSS Roman Film Drama from the days of the first Christian persecutions after the well-known work of Wilson Barrett.

First Part

The tyrant NERO, Emperor of Rome, the last of the Caesars.

POPPAEA, his wife.

MARCUS SUPERBUS, prefect of Rome.

I value Caesar's honor above your love.

MERCIA, who becomes a youthful follower of Christianity taught in the new faith by Favino.

TIGELLINUS, counselor to Emperor Nero

Marcus Superbus. Hail! The new sect of Christians is still growing. They endanger the empire. All adherents of the new faith must be thrown into prison under the arena. This is my will. Caesar

"Brother Favino, I am Stephanus and I bring a message from the Apostle Paul of Tarsus!"

"This is the sign of the cross by which Christians recognize each other."

"Death to the Christian!"

"Clear the road!"

Mercia makes a deep impression on Marcus Superbus.

"Come Marcus Superbus, what are you standing there for?! Be merry and sacrifice with us to Bacchus!"

Berenice, a wealthy patrician's daughter, is also in love with Marcus Superbus.

"Mercia and you, Gideon, inform the members of the church that brother Stephanus will read the letter of the Apostle Paul this evening."

"This girl also belongs to the Christians!"

"She is under my protection!"

"See where the girl is staying and try to capture the boy."

"Marcus Superbus, I have noticed that Tigellinus has sent out his spies. That means Mercia is in danger."

END FIRST PART

THE SIGN OF THE CROSS SECOND PART

"This is Marcus Superbus, the prefect of Rome!"

"They've captured little Gideon!"

"I will try to bring the boy back into your midst!"

"Speak! Where is the place where the Christians hold their meetings?"

"Torture the boy, I will force him to confess! He must tell us where the Christians meet."

Finally the boy who had been tortured for so long confessed.

The martyrs of the new faith, who were destined to cast a shadow on the glory of ancient Rome.

"Flee!"

The next morning.

"Berenice, Marcus Superbus is in love with a Christian girl; by secretly pressuring Caesar for her capture, you may perhaps win Superbus!"

"Your place is not here, Tigellinus, you have made it your task to torment innocent boys, girls, and old men."

Berenice confesses her love to Marcus.

"I have given my heart to those who believe in the new teaching. The faith of eternal love and salvation!"

Mercia requests to be locked up with her fellow believers.

END SECOND PART

THE SIGN OF THE CROSS PART THREE

"Search all of Rome and bring the girl here!"

"Mercia is nowhere to be found!"

"Listen!... that singing!... That's her voice... Mercia's voice!"

Jealousy has attacked Berenice and Poppaea. Both request that Nero have Mercia thrown into prison.

"Tigellinus, I order the capture of Mercia, she must be locked up with the other Christians under the arena. Tomorrow there will be a celebration in Rome."

The party.

"Marcus Superbus, why don't you take part in the celebration that our great Caesar organized in honor of the captivity of the Christians?!"

Marcus protects Mercia from the lechers.

"Abandon me!... Marcus Superbus... and look up to the cross!"

The Power of the Cross.

"He was born in Bethlehem's stable..."

"...Even as a boy he taught the chief priests and scribes in the temple..."

"...He raised the dead from their eternal sleep..."

"...the Last Supper..."

"...and on the cross He died for us!..."

END PART THREE

THE SIGN OF THE CROSS FOURTH PART

"In the name of Nero, the great Caesar, I arrest this girl!"

Poppaea, helped by Tigellinus, advises Caesar to have the Christians thrown to the lions.

"Great Caesar! I have come to ask for freedom for the young Christian Mercia!"

"...No, no freedom for her... Caesar has spoken!..."

"No, Berenice, my heart belongs to her for whom I begged mercy."

Berenice could not continue to live without Marcus' affection.

In the arena.

"I also want to see Mercia in the arena, Tigellinus!"

"Marcus Superbus!... Mercia must also be thrown to the lions."

"Go and tell Caesar that Marcus Superbus also belongs to the Christians!"

"Great Caesar! Marcus Superbus also belongs to the Christians!"

"To the lions with him!"

"Today you will be with me in paradise."

"Mercia, my bride!" "Marcus, my bridegroom!"

The only one left. The little one hid unnoticed behind one of the pillars when the wild animals were let into the arena.

The blood of the Martyrs is the seed of the Church.