The Sign of the Cross had
many varying elements, some that were ultimately successful and others that
fell short of total success in convincing the audience. The story line was very clear and easy to
follow which made viewing easy and enjoyable but at times it was so simple that
steps seemed to be missing. For example
the step moving from Marcus Superbus seeing Mercia to him loving her and saving
her from the death that is mandated to all Christians. All evidence suggests that Marcus is fiercely
loyal to Nero up until that point and so it seems out of character for him to
so blatantly ignore the wishes of his commander. Also it would have been nice to see a scene
in between Nero’s proposition for Mercia (having her reject her faith
publically to spare her life) and Marcus’s decision to face the lions with
Mercia and the rest of the Christian “rebels”.
That way we the audience could see some of his thought process instead
of being surprised seconds before he faces his death.
That said the acting choices made by all actors involved are very clear and fluid and they lack the stilted and over dramatic sense seen in earlier films. So all in all it is a good film despite some jumps in logic or plot. It conveys a message effectively and leaves the audience with a sense of hope (in a strange twisted way).
That said the acting choices made by all actors involved are very clear and fluid and they lack the stilted and over dramatic sense seen in earlier films. So all in all it is a good film despite some jumps in logic or plot. It conveys a message effectively and leaves the audience with a sense of hope (in a strange twisted way).
I agree that there were some jumps in logic that I would have liked to have seen more developed. Marcus' sudden conversion did not sit well with me as an audience member. I would like to know some of the other aspects, aside from the more fluid acting, of the film that you thought contributed positively to it.
ReplyDeleteHi Jenny! I agree with you about Marcus's character and his sudden conversion, and that also annoyed me. I also felt like everything that we knew about Marcus's character up until that point (that he doesn't really care for the well-being of the Christians but only wants Mercia to be safe so he can be with her) doesn't make him seem like the type of person who would sacrifice himself without any gain for his own self.
ReplyDeleteYes, Marcus' conversions seems a bit sudden, especially since he has to prove the sincerity and depth of it immediately by dying for his new faith.
ReplyDeleteI'd argue, though, that we are not completely unprepared for his disobedience to and disenchantment with Nero. In the scene where he is arguing with Nero to spare Mercia's life, he comes very close to showing a lack of respect for his emperor (who tells him that only his obvious excitement excuses what would otherwise count as treason). And that Marcus feels little but contempt for the empress, Poppaea, is already clear from the scene where she tries but fails to seduce him, and is confirmed when he insults her as a "whore" after Nero has left.
The film does leave its viewers with a sense of hope. Unfortunately, it's only a hope for spiritual salvation and for happiness in the hereafter. Since the film came out at the height of the depression, in 1932, no one could hope for anything better.