Constantine and the Cross (1961)

Biopic of Constantine the Great, set between 293-312 AD, from his days as Tribune to his accession as Roman Emperor of Gaul under the tetrarchy system and ending with his battle against the usurper Roman Emperor Maxentius in Rome.

Director:

Lionello De Felice

Writers:

Michael Audley (dialogue), Ennio De Concini

Stars:

Cornel Wilde, Belinda Lee, Massimo Serato

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cornel Wilde	...	Constantine
Belinda Lee	...	Fausta
Massimo Serato	...	Maxentius
Christine Kaufmann	...	Livia
Fausto Tozzi	...	Hadrian
Tino Carraro	...	Emperor Maximianus
Carlo Ninchi	...	Constantius Chlorus
Vittorio Sanipoli	...	Apuleius
Elisa Cegani	...	Elena
Nando Gazzolo	...	Licinius
Annibale Ninchi	...	Galarius
Franco Fantasia	...	Roman Soldier
Loris Gizzi	...	Roman Prosecutor
Enrico Glori	...	Livia's Father
Jole Mauro	...	Celi, Fausta's Maid

Storyline

Somewhat fictionalized dramatic account of Late Roman Emperor Constantine, his rise to power, and his establishment of religious tolerance among Roman subjects. Constantine's adoption of Christianity allowed this small persecuted religion to sweep throughout Europe as the empire's power waned.

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Plot Keywords:

religion | christianity | emperor | male female relationship | four word title | 

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Taglines:

When the Might of the Sword and the Sign of the Cross Unite in the Most Thrilling Story of Faith Ever Told on the Screen!

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | History | Romance | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

Italy Yugoslavia

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

December 1962 (USA)

Also Known As:

Constantine and the Cross

Filming Locations:

De Paolis Studios, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Beaver-Champion Attractions, Jadran Film, Jonia Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Stonewall Uprising (2010)

User Reviews

Good, but not GREAT!

It continues to amaze me that, to date, this is the only movie that has been made about a man who, quite literally, changed the world. The historical accuracy in this movie leaves much to be desired; Constantine's mothers name was Helena, he had several half siblings,he was married (or was at least sleeping with someone) before he met Fausta, as he already had a son, Crispus, when he married her, Licinius was Constantine's ally, not Maxentius', Galerius hated Constantine, and Maxentius drowned and was not cut down by Constantine. However, with all that said, the movie still does send the overall message that it was meant to send, even though it is definitely dated.Cornell Wilde did a fine job with the tools he was given, and the acting, on the whole, is satisfactory, especially in light of the fact that it was primarily an Italian movie with an Italian cast.The battle scenes are good, for their time, and the continuity and flow of the movie are acceptable. This is a good movie about a great man, a man who deserves to have a GREAT movie made about him (but definitely NOT by Oliver Stone!!!) This guy gave Christians the fundamentals of their religion as it is practiced today, changed forever the face of the greatest Empire on earth, moving it from West to East, established laws that are the basis of many of ours today, and may very well have found some of the most profound religious relics ever discovered by mankind (including the True Cross and the Spear of Destiny). At the same time he murdered his own son and wife (had Crispus strangled and Fausta suffocated in an overheated bath), and carved a bloody swath through Europe on his rise to the Imperial throne. A fascinating man who truly deserved the title Great. He deserves a new, Great remake of this flick (but this time let's stick a bit more closely to history-it really would make for a better story!).