Category: Biblical

Quo Vadis (1951)

The setting; Rome. The time; the reign of Nero. The Christians are being persecuted and Roman centurion Marcuss Viniceus (Robert Taylor) could care less. Then one day, while visiting a friend, he meets Lygia (Deborah Kerr), a beautiful girl who’s a Christian. After the burning of Rome, Nero (Peter Ustinov) decides if the people want someone to blame he’ll make it be the Christians. It is in the midst of the terror and the tragedy of the arena, that Marcuss’ lust for Lygia and his skepticism of christianity begins to change.

2hr. 50min.

Demetrius and the Gladiators (1954)

Set immediately after the actions of The Robe, this sequel centers on Demetrius (Victor Mature) who escaped the emperor Caligula (Jay Robinson) only to be captured again with the intention to be killed by gladiators in the arena.  Despite his obvious physical prowess Demetrius refuses to kill, until tragedy causes him to question his faith.

1hr. 41min.

The Robe (1953)

Richard Burton leads an all star cast, playing Marcellus the centurion who crucified Jesus. Victor Mature plays Marcellu’s slave, Demetrius, who comes into possession of Jesus’s robe.  Riddled by guilt from his part in the crusifiction, Marcellus comes to believe that the robe has cursed him.  So, he begins to hunt down his runaway slave, in order to destroy the robe.  Along the way he meets people who knew and spoke to Jesus and his life is forever changed.

This film also features Jean Simmons and was the first movie filmed in CinemaScope.

2hr. 15min.