Word: superbus
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Dates: during 1930-1939
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...flashing chariots, and tons of Roman cutlery, not to mention several yards of early Christian beards, exciting pagan dancing, and several guileless babes to add the pathetic note, go into the production of a piece that rivals "Ben Hur" in intensity of action and elaborateness. Fredric March, as Marcus Superbus, prefect of Rome, who goes to death in the arena because of his love for Mercia (Elissa Landi), one of the persecuted Christians, and Claudette Colbert, who plays Nero's wife, Poppaea, do very well, but Charles Laughton, as the fat, indolent Nero, gives the picture its life blood...
...story of The Sign of the Cross, included in the repertory of every stock company in England since it was first played in 1895, is obvious devotional melodrama. Nero (Charles Laughton) orders his lieutenant, Marcus Superbus (Fredric March), to clear Rome of Christians. While doing so, Marcus falls in love with a Christian girl named Mercia (Elissa Landi). This makes the vicious Empress Poppaea (Claudette Colbert) jealous. Marcus Superbus tries to persuade Mercia to become a pagan. He fails. Nero wants to forgive her for being a Christian but Poppaea, to save Marcus from what she considers a misalliance, refuses...
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