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Die Hermannsschlacht (1996)

Actors: Svea Timander (actress), Peter Weis (actor), Stefan Mischer (editor), Sebastian Fischer (actor), Stefan Mischer (actor), Stefan Mischer (producer), Stefan Mischer (writer), Stefan Mischer (director), Cornelius Völker (actor), Hartmut Kiesel (actor), Christian Deckert (producer), Hartmut Kiesel (producer), Christoph Köster (producer), Christian Deckert (actor), Cornelius Völker (producer),

Genres: ,

Demetrius and the Gladiators (1954)

Actors: Paul Kruger (actor), Russell Johnson (actor), Kenner G. Kemp (actor), George Eldredge (actor), John Cliff (actor), Richard Egan (actor), Ernest Borgnine (actor), Charles Evans (actor), Harry Cording (actor), Roy Jenson (actor), Everett Glass (actor), Fred Graham (actor), Frank Hagney (actor), Selmer Jackson (actor), David Leonard (actor),

Plot: The story picks up at the point where "_The Robe (1953)_ (qv)" ends, following the martyrdom of Diana and Marcellus. Christ's robe is conveyed to Peter for safe-keeping, but the emperor Caligula wants it back to benefit from its powers. Marcellus' former slave Demetrius seeks to prevent this, and catches the eye of Messalina, wife to Caligula's uncle Claudius. Messalina tempts Demetrius, he winds up fighting in the arena, and wavers in his faith.

Keywords: action-hero, ancient-rome, arena, atheist, attempted-rape, bare-chested-male, based-on-novel, bible, brawl, caligula
Genres: Action, Drama, History,
Taglines: It begins where "The Robe" left off!

Quotes:

Demetrius: [reflectively] We were friends once, Glycon.::Glycon: I know. I suppose I should blame myself for what has become of you. When I put that sword in your hand, it killed more than Dardanius and the others. It killed you. I hope you sleep well, sir. Good night.

Messalina: Why did you run? I don't think you're a coward. You had no real chance of escaping, you must have known that!::Demetrius: This is a place where men are trained to kill each other like animals!::Messalina: And men aren't animals?::Demetrius: No!::Messalina: We admire a magnificent animal who fights. Why not a man who fights ?::Demetrius: Because God did not put man on earth to destroy his own kind. Nor a woman to enjoy their agonies as they die.

Messalina: What is your name?::Demetrius: Demetrius.::Messalina: You spoke of a god, Demetrius. Which god?::Demetrius: There is only one God.::Claudius: He's one of "them". This is very interesting. A Christian!::Messalina: Are you a Christian?::Demetrius: Yes.::Messalina: And you won't fight?::Demetrius: No.::Claudius: He can't my dear. It's against his religion to kill.

Glycon: Listen to me. The worst sort of life is better than the best kind of death. Forget your religion for just one day. Kill him. He is no good. Your god will thank you for it.

Caligula: [hallucinating] Do you see her Claudius ? The Goddess Diana. Every night she comes to me. My arms. There there she goes. Now do you see her ?::Claudius: No, sire.::Caligula: [angrily] Why not ?::Claudius: Only you gods are privileged to see each other.

Caligula: Christian. Do you renounce your false god ? This king of an invisible kingdom... who expects to come back some day and rule the earth ?::Demetrius: [after a long pause] There is no other king but Caesar. There is no power greater than his, in this world, or any other.::Caligula: By the mercy of Caesar, you are a free man.

Messalina: [arrogantly] You'll never get him back. What can you offer him ? The company of slaves and beggars ? The refuse of Rome ? Poverty and self-denial ? Prayers ? Tears ? Death ? You see, I've studied your teachings, and I, Fisherman, I can give him the world. If he has to choose between us, do you think he'd hesitate for one minute ? Of course not. And that's why you hate me. I can see it in your eyes.::Peter: What you see in my eyes is pity.::[she tosses her goblet of wine in his face]::Messalina: Get out !

Demetrius: We traveled here together from Galilee, persuading people to give up their lives for a beautiful dream. [he attempts to hand a goblet of wine to Peter] Take it Peter. It's real... hot spiced, with cinnamon and cloves. [chuckles and looks towards Messalina] Did you know that Jesus could turn water into wine? And that was only one of his tricks.::Peter: Yes, only one. Anything that was base, He could make noble. He found a leper and made him clean. He found death and He made life. He found you a slave, and He made you free.::Demetrius: Get out!::Peter: And now you've won a great victory over Him, haven't you tribune ? You've made yourself a slave again.

Caligula: I have the power of life and death over every being in the empire! My power is as great as any god's! True?::Claudius: True, sire.::Caligula: Why should I have to die? Who should I have to suffer death like any plebeian, any slave? Is that logical? Is it?::Claudius: No, sire.

Caligula: Philosophers! Their brains are full of mildew!