Sebastiane (1976)

Reassigned to a lowly outpost, a Roman guard's Christian beliefs clash with his gay commander's desire for closeness. Being tortured becomes pleasurable.

Directors:

Paul Humfress, Derek Jarman

Writers:

Paul Humfress, Derek Jarman

Stars:

Leonardo Treviglio, Barney James, Neil Kennedy

Cast

Cast overview:
Leonardo Treviglio	...	Sebastian (as Leonard Treviglio)
Barney James	...	Severus
Neil Kennedy	...	Max
Richard Warwick	...	Justin
Donald Dunham	...	Claudius
Ken Hicks	...	Adrian
Janusz Romanov	...	Anthony
Steffano Massari	...	Marius
Daevid Finbar	...	Julian
Gerald Incandela	...	Leopard Boy
Robert Medley	...	Emperor Diocletian

Storyline

300 A.D. : the Roman Sebastianus is exiled to a remote outpost populated exclusively by men. Weakened by their desires, these men turn to homosexual activities to satisfy their needs. However, Sebastianus becomes the target of lust for a homosexual centurion, but he rejects the man's advances.

---

Plot Keywords:

male full frontal nudity | penis | male rear nudity | gay love | whipping | 

---

Genres:

Drama | Romance

---

Certificate:

X

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

Latin

Release Date:

28 October 1976 (UK)

Also Known As:

Sebastian

Filming Locations:

Cala Domestica, Sardinia, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinegate,Disctac,Megalovision

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Filmed in Sardinia, near the town of Buggerru.

---

Goofs

It takes a full minute for Sebastian to pour his jug of water onto himself, a seemingly long and impossibly protracted amount of time. He finally sets the jug down but then proceeds to continue his shower with water hitting him from somewhere overhead. (Presumably he had just trained the desert air how to accommodate him by demonstrating a desired effect, and the desert air obliges by squeezing copious amounts of water from itself to wash him.)

---

Quotes

Sebastian: His beauty is enhanced by his anger. It is his anger which is devine. His punishments are like Christ's promise. He takes me in his arm and caresses my bleeding body. I want to be with him. I love him.

---

Alternate Versions

When shown on British television in the 1980s, a shot of a naked man with the erection was cut out of the film.

---

Connections

Featured in Room 101: Episode #3.8 (1997)

User Reviews

Beautiful movie

I just found in a Spanish DVD shop this movie. I had seen Edward II and found it odd, but yet interesting. Sebastiane was made in Latin, because Jarman thought strange to be watching a movie about Romans that spoke English. I think it was wise and seductive. The story runs in a smooth way, as if someone with a camera (perhaps thanks to a Time machine,)was hiding to catch those moments. I can't find the scandalous issue here. I find quite natural that between a bunch of men exiled from the city of Rome, violence and desire could rise. Love (and love resistance, and violence and non violence. These are the arguments. I think Jarman made a beautiful movie, sensible, of religious meaning in the case of Sebastiane, and of love and frustration in the case of the Captain. The film reminds me absolutely Golding's "Lord of the flies", as the situation is similar. The film probably lacks passion or interior force, but this was only Jarman's first movie. I recommend this movie as I would Pasolini's "Edipo": I think both movies or perhaps the two director's sensibilities are in touch here.