The story picks up at the point where "The Robe" 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.
Acting
Jay Robinson's unhinged Caligula steals every scene he's in.
Production
Massive arena sequences built on the Quo Vadis sets.
Costume
Susan Hayward's seductive gowns versus Debra Paget's virtuous draping.
Director
Delmer Daves
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Fox rushed this into production using the same sets and costumes from The Robe, releasing it just nine months later.
This was Anne Bancroft's final film before she fought typecasting, disappearing until The Miracle Worker eight years later.
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