The Sword and the Cross

• Yvonne De Carlo: Mary Magdalene
• Jorge Mistral: Gaius Marcellus
• Rossana Podestà: Marta
• Massimo Serato: Annan
• Andrea Aureli, Barabbas
• Giulio Battiferri: Centurion
• Mario Girotti: Lazarus
• Philippe Hersent: Pontius Pilate
• Bob Morgan ( actor): Judas (as Roberto Morgani )
• Rossana Rory: Claudia
• Nando Tamberlani: Caiaphas
• Franco Fantasia: Ezra

Cross and Sword ( original title: La spada e la croce ) is a historical film by biblical motifs, the Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia 1958 staged in Italy. German premiere of the film was on 10 July 1959.

Content

The film tells the life story of Mary Magdalene and her way up to a follower of Jesus: The Roman Gaius Marcellus is reassigned to Palestine to check the actions of Pontius Pilate, the rebels against. Just arrived there, he makes the acquaintance of Mary Magdalene; both fall in love. However, Mary, who is with Annan, nephew of the high priest Caiaphas, married supported, like her sister Marta 's group the robber Barabbas.

Gaius Marcellus and rival for the love of Mary, meanwhile, tries to talk to Jesus and his disciples. Whose words make strong impression on them; even more so as he also heals her brother Lazarus from his illness. Gaius understands the change that is going on in Mary, wrong and has Jesus arrested. Mary Magdalene is devastated, but can bring himself to attempting rescue, all fail. Barabbas was arrested following a tip Annan.

Pilate now has the ability to pardon a prisoner, leaving the people to decide. The people choose Barabbas; Jesus is crucified. Under his cross there is also a Mary Magdalene, who asks for forgiveness for their sins.

Criticism

"Instead of the rich biblical narrative material to use, the film is content with the use of known biblical names as Zuckerle for his fictional melodrama - this is, for example, Mary's brother Lazarus. "

"With a lot of imagination and pathos embellished drawing biblical characters. "