The Sign of the Cross
Seen it?1932 | 126 min | Drama, History
Weeknight Watchearly ratingWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
With middling reviews (50% on Rotten Tomatoes), it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for history buffs. If you loved Ben-Hur or The Fall of the Roman Empire, start here.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 6 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1932: an older pace and style.
A Roman soldier becomes torn between his love for a Christian woman and his loyalty to Emperor Nero.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsBelow par
50% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsBelow par
Nominated for 1 Oscar.
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$3 million worldwide on a $694K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 45K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Cecil B. DeMille
- Fredric MarchMarcus Superbus - Prefect of Rome
- Elissa LandiMercia
- Claudette ColbertEmpress Poppaea
- Charles LaughtonEmperor Nero Claudius Caesar
- Ian KeithTigellinus
- Arthur HohlTitus
- Harry BeresfordFavius Fontelas
- Tommy ConlonStephan
- Ferdinand GottschalkGlabrio
- Vivian TobinDacia