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 | four word title | belief in jesus christ | 

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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

In this sign thou shalt conquer!

This film must have been spectacular in its day, just like the Roman Empire. Now its saturated colors are faded, its panoramic vision compressed. Cornel Wilde is still a hunk, but an aging one, and it's hard to believe he was the educated, fluent in several languages and fussy about his roles actor from his performance here, delivering some of his lines just like John Wayne might have done. There are several hokey overview shots of Rome, which are really of the scale model version from the Museum of History of the City of Rome, but otherwise the sets, costumes and production is a lavish one. The final battle at the Milvian Bridge is endless (you know who is going to win), but thanks to this victory, Christianity directs the course of Western History.