The Sword and the Cross (1958)
The Sword and the Cross (Italian: La spada e la croce) is a 1958 Italian religious-historical drama directed by Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia, starring Yvonne De Carlo, Jorge Mistral, and Rossana Podestà. Produced by Liber Film and released in Italy in December 1958, the film was later distributed in the United States in 1960 under the title Mary Magdalene. It runs approximately 105 minutes and was shot in English, then dubbed into Italian for domestic release.
Plot Summary
Set in Judea under Roman rule, the film follows Mary Magdalene (Yvonne De Carlo), portrayed as a conflicted woman torn between her past as a courtesan and her growing spiritual awakening. She becomes romantically involved with Gaius Marcellus (Jorge Mistral), a Roman officer sent to monitor the actions of Pontius Pilate. However, Mary is also desired by Anan (Massimo Serato), a scheming aristocrat and nephew of the high priest Caiphas, who seeks to manipulate her for political gain.
As Mary’s faith deepens—especially after witnessing Jesus raise her brother Lazarus from the dead—she begins to reject her former life. Her transformation leads to conflict with both Roman and Jewish authorities, culminating in her desperate attempt to save Jesus from arrest. The film blends romantic melodrama with biblical events, using Mary’s personal journey as a lens through which to explore themes of redemption, betrayal, and spiritual conviction.
Cast
- Yvonne De Carlo as Mary Magdalene
- Jorge Mistral as Gaius Marcellus
- Rossana Podestà as Martha
- Massimo Serato as Anan
- Andrea Aureli as Barabbas
- Terence Hill (credited as Mario Girotti) as Lazarus
- Nando Tamberlani as Caiphas
- Philippe Hersent as Pontius Pilate
- Rossana Rory, Nadia Brivio, and Bob Morgan in supporting roles
Production Notes
- The screenplay was written by Sandro Continenza, based on a story by Ottavio Poggi, who also produced the film
- Music composed by Roberto Nicolosi and cinematography by Raffaele Masciocchi contribute to the film’s operatic tone
- The film is part of the peplum genre, combining biblical themes with sword-and-sandal spectacle
- Terence Hill’s appearance as Lazarus is one of his early screen roles before international fame
- Though not widely distributed outside Italy, the film gained attention for its lush production design and De Carlo’s commanding performance
- The U.S. release as Mary Magdalene emphasized the film’s spiritual themes over its romantic and political subplots
