SIGN OF THE PAGAN

US, 1954, 92 minutes, Colour.
Jeff Chandler, Jack Palance, Rita Gam, Ludmilla Tcherina, Jeff Morrow
Directed by Douglas Sirk

Sign of the Pagan was Universal Studio’s attempt to move into the big-budget spectaculars that were introduced by The Robe and the advent of Cinemascope. Since The Robe looked at early Christianity, the history of the church seemed to be a good field for this kind of spectacle.

This time it is the era of the fall of the Roman Empire. Jeff Chandler portrays a Roman centurion who is captured and taken to Constantinople where the Emperor Theodosius is planning to attack Rome with the help of the barbarian Attila. Pulcheria, the sister of the empress, falls in love with the centurion.

The film gives a brief background of the era and the politics of the decline of the Roman Empire. It also gives a glimpse into the growth of the barbarian tribes and their inroads into the empire, leading to the fall of Rome.

Jack Palance has an opportunity to chew the scenery as Attila. Historically, he was stopped in 451 by Pope Leo the Great as he attacked Rome and withdrew.

Another film about Attila was made at this time, in Italy, with Anthony Quinn as the emperor and Sophia Loren in support.

The film was directed by Douglas Sirk, who had made a number of films in his native Germany, come to Hollywood in the 1940s and made a variety of genre films. However, he was to be best remembered for another 1954 film, The Magnificent Obsession, with Rock Hudson and Jane Wyman and a number of high-class soap operas including All That Heaven Allows, Written on the Wind.

1. Why do audiences enjoy costume spectacular epics?

2. The significance of the title? The visualizing of the symbol of the Huns, versus the Cross of Christianity? An indication of the film's themes?

3. How interesting and valuable was the reconstruction of this Roman world? The attention to detail, visualizing an empire and the Barbarians?

4. The audience response to the Roman Empire? Its might and power, its decline, its values and decadence? The contrast with the Barbarians and their way of life? The clash of values of civilization and barbarism? Which values were valuable? Attila's explanation that the Romans had used conquest, like his, for their empire?

5. The film's focus on Attila? Was he a credible character? As leader of the Barbarians? His method for conquering? His strength? His superstitions?

6. The contrast with Marcion? The Christian hero? The clash of personalities with Attila? Attila's sparing him? The fascination of Attila's daughter for Marcion? Marcion and his status as a poor man, as a Centurion, in relationship to Pulcheria? His advice to the emperors? His final conquest?

7. The significance of the role of Attila's daughter? As a Barbarian princess, fighting with the sword and the clash with Marcion as she learnt to fight? Her fascination with him, her becoming a Christian, her letting Pope Leo know about the lightning striking the tree? Attila's reaction to her?

8. The role of Pulcheria in the film? As Empress, as a woman and her relationship with Marcion, her hostility towards her brother, her liaisons and diplomacy? The significance of the dance for the Barbarians? The happy ending?

9. The picture of the two emperors: the decadence and the deals in Constantinople, the Emperor fleeing from Rome and leaving everything to Marcion? The status of emperors in the empire?

10. The contrast with Pope Leo and the visualizing of his confrontation with Attila? The Sign of the Cross? His advice to the Barbarians, Attila's dilemma and his reactions?

11. How important were the details of the Empire's way of life, the Court, the class distinctions, the fighting, banquets, the entertaining of the Barbarians etc.?

12. How interesting and convincing were the battles?

13. The theme of religion and superstitions? The fate hanging over Attila, the advice from his soothsayer, the fact that he was defeated as foretold?

14. How much enjoyment in this kind of popular epic? How much to be learnt?