Storyline

In the reign of Tiberius Caesar (Sir Cedric Hardwicke), Gallilean prophet John the Baptist (Alan Badel) preaches against King Herod (Charles Laughton) and Queen Herodias (Dame Judith Anderson). The latter wants John dead, but Herod fears to harm him due to a prophecy. Enter beautiful Princess Salome (Rita Hayworth), Herod's long-absent stepdaughter. Herodias sees the King's dawning lust for Salome as her means of bending the King to her will. But Salome and her lover Claudius (Stewart Granger) are (contrary to Scripture) nearing conversion to the new religion. And the famous climactic dance turns out to have unexpected implications.—Rod Crawford

Plot Keywords

sword and sandal, remake, forced kiss, stepfather stepdaughter relationship, mother daughter relationship, veil, husband wife relationship, historical fiction, palace, marriage, marriage problems, roman, rome italy, roman empire, kiss, face slap, apple, severed head, ancient rome, royalty

Short Review

Sex and religion, with more emphasis on the latter, are awkwardly but handsomely blended in a surprising version of the scriptural tale.

Trailer

Streaming Service

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