A FILM BY JERZY KAWALEROWICZ
CO-PRODUCERS
SPONSORS
SCREENPLAY BY JERZY KAWALEROWICZ
BASED ON THE NOVEL BY HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
Marcus Vinicius
Lygia
Petronius
Nero
Chilo the Greek
WITH
MAKE UP
COSTUMES
SOUND
EDITED BY
INTERIOR DESIGN
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
PRODUCTION MANAGER
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
MUSIC
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
PHOTOGRAPHY
PRODUCER
DIRECTED BY
During 60 A.D., the Roman Empire spread from North Africa, embracing
Mediterranean, until the tip of Brittany. The Northern region included the Rhine
and the Danube Rivers from which Lygians thrived.
Thirty years prior, Jesus Christ was crucified
Christianity was gaining steady momentum
in addition to a growing number of followers.
Nero was the current ruler of the Roman Empire
He was described as being despotic and arrogant.
In addition, Nero also sought recognition for his attempts at art
His good friend, Petronius, was a known poet, and a fashion trend-setter.
Vinicius is in love with her and wishes to have her
I must have her
the girl runs away and hides among the Christians
Chilo the Greek finds her
an attempt to kidnap Lygia ends in failure
Lygia saves Vinicius's life
wounded, he stays among the Christians where he finds out
that Chilo wanted to kill Glaucos in order to cover
his troubled past
defend me
Lygia loves Vinicius
but she cannot balance her love and faith
she runs away from Vinicius
I know where Lygia lives
- where is she? -behind those doors
with Chilo's help, Vinicius find Lygia, this time he asks her to marry him
Peter the Apostle blesses their tie
Meanwhile, Nero heads for Antium, intoxicating himself with his own voice
Nero tries to reason with Petronius for killing his mother and wife
news of fires in Rome is heard
most of the city is burning
in the chaos, Vinicius cannot find Lygia
Chilo leads him to the Christians, and Peter the Apostle takes him to Lygia
Peter rejects Vinicius' offer to flee
and he accepts Vinicius's faith
Rome is in chaos and Nero, along with his advisors, stands on the aqueducts
and overwhelmed, sings upon the sight of the burning city
his behaviour upsets the onlookers
promising bread and games, Petronius calms the crowd
Tigellinus advised by Poppaea blames the fire on the Christians
Nero accepts the idea
it is decided to blame the fire on the Christians
Petronius exposes Tigellinus' cunning idea
and he tells Vinicius of the trouble coming to the Christians
PART 5
- Vinicius? - Yes, my lord.
- And maybe Petronius, too? - I admire your insight.
That is very probable.
Now I understand why he defended Christians.
Petronius, a Christian! An enemy of life and pleasures?
Don't be fools!
Don't expect me to believe that, or I'll stop believing anything.
But the noble Vinicius became a Christian, my lord.
Pomponia is a convert... and her little Aulus...
and Lygia, and Vinicius. My lord, avenge
my sufferings,
and I shall denounce Peter the Apostle, and Linus, and Glaucus, and Crispus.
I'll show you hundreds, thousands...
their houses of prayer, cemeteries, everything!
- My lord, avenge our child. - Hurry.
Don't give Vinicius time to hide Lygia away.
I'll give you ten men, go.
I've seen Croton in Ursus' hands.
Give me fifty men, and I'll show you the house from afar!
And if we dealt with Petronius as well?
No, not now. The people won't believe it.
Today we need other victims,
we will deal with the rest later.
Go.
I'll give them all away! All of them!
Eunice, come
do you love me?
what if we were to separate?
-what do you mean? -don't be afraid
I might have to go on a long journey
-take me with you -alright
-but I must take a bath, in order to see Caesar
Christians to the lions! To the lions!
Christians to the lions!
Welcome,
arbiter of elegance. You still say the Christians are innocent?
We both know what to think
I wouldn't dare compare my wisdom with yours.
Petronius, my lord.
And where is Vinicius?
He was not at home, divinity.
Tell him, I want to see him. And advise him
not to miss the games in which Christians will appear.
Has the noble Vinicius returned?
Yes, my lord, he has just arrived.
-did you see her? -yes
Where is she?
In the Mamertine prison.
No, not in the dungeons. I paid the guard
to give her his room. Ursus is with her.
- Why didn't he defend her? - They sent fifty praetorians.
- What do you intend to do? - Either save her,
or die with her.
How are you planning to save her?
I bribed the guard, and you are Caesar's friend.
Bring two dark cloaks and two swords.
We will go there. Give the guards a hundred thousand sestertii,
or a hundred times as much... they must release Lygia immediately!
Otherwise it will be too late.
I risk my life. I'm in disfavour. Caesar will do anything to spite me.
Poppaea hates Lygia. The girl has been followed.
Free her, or you'll both perish.
Christians to the lions!
Mirmillon, take my good advice and go your way.
Shout, or I'll break your neck!
Christians to the lions!
You reek of wine and block my way.
Caesar said, "Tell Vinicius to attend the games
in which Christians will appear." He'll delight in your pain.
That's why we're still free.
Pretorians, we're too late
You have orders to guard the prison?
Yes, noble Petronius.
The prefect fears an attempt to free the arsonists.
You mustn't admit anyone?
- We mustn't. - Thank you, Nigar.
A Christian!
Oh Christ!
Christians to the lions!
To the lions!
I've spoken with Seneca. Full of fear for his future,
he argued that Christians, even if they hadn't burned the city,
should be exterminated.
Terpnos and Diodor took the money and have done nothing.
Vatinius told Caesar that I'd tried to bribe him.
- I'll go and and fall at Caesar's feet. - And if he refuses?
If he answers with a jest or a threat?
You shouldn't do that.
That will deprive us of any chances.
At Golgotha I saw God being nailed to the cross.
I saw them raise the cross
for the crowds to witness the death of the Son of Man.
I saw them open His side...
and I saw Him die.
I screamed in agony
just as you yell lord you are God
why did you allow this to happen
why did you die and leave us in despair
those of us who believed in your kingdom
and him, our lord and God
three days later rose from death and was among us
until Holiness does not come to your kingdom
And now...
I bless you, my children,
before suffering, before death...
for eternity.
I know. They have captured your loved one.
My lord, you knew Christ.
Plead for her.
Have you heard what I told them?
God himself suffered torture.
at the end of this life, a new one is beginning
I know.
But if blood must be spilled,
let Him double or triple the torture meant for her
and give it to me. But he must save her.
He will listen to you!
I couldn't speak earlier, she is guarded by Ursus.
- And you are a praetorian? - As long as I am not there.
I cannot let you in, Vinicius,
but I can give a letter to the guards.
Thank you.
take a bath and rest
when are the first games beginning?
in ten days, but they will first take other prisons
the more time we have, the better
-tomorrow, Poppaea agreed to accept me -thank you
you will thank me when you will eat something and rest
and you will treat my home as yours
-you probably spent the night in front of the prison. -I wanted to come in
Ursus is protecting Lygia, they weren't separated
I'm going to sleep, try to imitate me
I must write a letter to Lygia
Lygia thanks you for the letter, I'll bring the response tomorrow
make room for Chilo's litter
get them away
get these people away, faster
make room for Chilo's litter
Stop!
Greetings, Chilo.
Do not stop me, young man, for my friend Tigellinus is waiting.
- You betrayed Lygia. - And you had me flogged.
I wronged you.
My friend, if you have a request, do come to my villa,
where I receive guests and clients.
- Am I late? - Not at all!
We inquired about Lygia, but in vain. They don't trust us.
Ave Caesar,
morituri te salutant!
- Lygia. - My lord,
I've seen her in prison. She is ill. Ursus is with her.
Who are you?
You were baptised in my house, remember?
- Yes. - Peter
said he'd be in the audience. I want to see him before I die.
He will be among Petronius' servants.
- I shall show him to you. - Thank you. And peace be with you.
- They left her in prison. - Smile, we are being observed.
Lygia will pretend she is dead.
Will the Christians be armed?
- We do not know. - It might become a slaughterhouse.
Chilo fainted
Can't stand the sight, Greek?
I wasn't meant for a butcher.
it's not his fault that he has no heart
it's not your fault that you have no brain
you are itching, so you wouldn't ask me to scratch you
you scratch yourself
if you scratch away your blemishes, you will scratch away the best of you
genius
You're a bit wrong. Gods meant you to be a robber,
you've turned into a demon.
You won't endure.
I shall endure...
I shall.
-is Vinicius here? -why are you here?
Ursus says Lygia is feverish and keeps repeating your name.
-who are you? Nazarius, Lygia's friend
You can enter the prison?
I carry out corpses.
-would you want her to be free? -even if I'd have to die
tell the service to use her as if she was dead
at the end of the smelling bottoms, people will take your chest
promise as much gold as they want
can you get help?
I'll get those who would sell their families
-are you sure of these people? -they're Christians
how does this faith expand? We would get rid of our gods in this situation.
Greek, Roman, Egyptian
if I knew that something on this world depended on the gods
I would promise everyone 6 white bulls
don't be selfish when it comes to your Lord
I gave him my soul
Master, they took her and Ursus to Espanian prison
we are carrying a different body
Lygia was taken before midnight
- How many cadavers today? - A dozen, but there will be more.
Lord be praised!
Have you come to rescue her?
Tell me how.
I thought you'd know. How did you enter?
I bribed the warden. And I have a tessera.
In the name of the Saviour... Lygia will take it,
she'll wrap her head in a rug, and leave.
She'll look like a young slave.
Praetorians won't recognise her. She'll find refuge at Petronius' house.
She'll refuse. She loves you, and she is too weak to walk.
I knew you would come.
Lygia...
I am ill, Marcus. Death is coming for me...
be it here, or be it in the arena.
No, no. You cannot die.
The apostle tells us to believe. Christ...
Christ will save you.
I lived but a short while... but God has given me your soul.
Remember, you will also go there.
Promise me... Marcus...
Lygia...
I promise...I promise.
I am your wife.
Matricide! Woe to you!
Woe to you! Assassin of your wife and brother!
Woe to you, satan!
Woe!
You will die in terror, murderer!
Woe to you! Your measure is exceeded!
Woe to you, living cadaver!
Your time is near!
And you will be condemned for... ever...
Peace with the martyrs!
My lord, let us go do Achaea,
to the glory of Apollo, garlands, triumphs, admirers!
- Here there is nothing but fear! - What do you fear,
Christians or their gods?
Those Christians are an odd lot.
Their deity might be vengeful.
The games are Tigellinus' responsibility.
Yes! Mine!
And I mock all the Christian gods!
Start pulling out the Christians' tongues or gag them.
Fire... fire will gag them!
Woe to me...
Look at Achilles' son.
Do what you want with me, but I'm through with the games.
Like I've said: you won't endure.
I want to drink...
Drink... drink...
I want him near me in the gardens.
THE END OF PART 5