Fabiola (1918 film)

Transcription

The action takes place in Rome in 302 AD Surprised in adoration of the Orarium, which contains the Holy Sacrament Miriam suffers Eurota's blackmail: either she renounces her father's inheritance in favour of Fulvio, or she will be condemned for her faith illegal under Roman law. And Miriam becomes Sira, Fabiola's slave. The Saturnals: a week of debauchery Pancrazio and the blind Cecilia try to cross the pagan orgy. Corvino tries to drag the Cristina into the bacchanal. But Quadrato watches and removes the bore. Pancrazio leads Cecilia to Sebastian's house, where she finds comfort and protection. Corvino asks Afra, Fabiola's black slave for a talisman who will make her mistress fall in love with him and assure him the dowry. Sebastiano and Pancrazio, hidden, have heard everything. The spell. The black sorceress sells at a high price her talisman. Sebastiano and Quadrato inform Agnese of Corvino's intentions. Fulvio tries to trap Agnese, but Sebastiano watches. Agnese asks Torquato to bring to Fabiola a message informing her of Corvino's intentions. Fulvio and Corvino have spied on Torquato. Suspecting him of Christian faith, they invite him him to sacrifice to the gods of the empire. In Agnes' house, Pancrazio gives all his riches to the poor. Fulvio convinces Corvino to mingle with the poor and to investigate in Agnes' house. Corvino, discovered, is saved by Pancrazio's generosity. Fulvio steals Corvino's amulet and ponders how to use it to slander the Christians. Fulvio and Eurota inscribe the Empress' name on the amulet to provoke wrath and vengeance Emperor Massimiano Erculeo listens to the accusations against the Christians. The announcement of the Edict of persecution. Fulvio, together with Corvino and Eurota, lead Torquato to betrayal. The weapons of the accomplices: the torture instruments for the Christians ... Gluttony Cheating. The ring with the Christian symbol. And Torquato reneges his faith. The imperial edict is affixed on the Temple of the Beavers. Torquato, new Judas, leads Fulvio and Eurota to the catacombs of Agnes' Villa Nomentana. In the peace of the catacombs, Pope Marcellino consecrates Christ's spouses. Quadrato and Pancrazio lacerate the Imperial Edict. The plebs comments with various moods the offense made to the Emperor. Fabiola understands the danger theatening Agnes. After sacrificing to the gods, she goes to her her cousin to to take her away to her villa at Nemi In the rural peace of her country house, Agnese lives the quiet hours of those who rely on God. Afra informs Corvino of the departure of Fabiola and Agnese. Then Corvino informs Fulvio. Escorted by faithful slaves, the litter brings the two cousins to the Villa at Nemi. Pancrazio, son of the martyr Quintino. Unsuccessful on the road to Nemi, Corvino chases Pancrazio in the catacomb ... where he is introduced by the false brother Torquato. The courage and strength of Quadrato give the Christians time to escape. In complete darkness, blind Cecilia leads the women towards light. Discovered by the legionnaires, blind Cecilia receives the palm of martyrdom. Corvino chooses new victims for the Circus among the Christians condemned ot build the Imperial Baths. Pancrazio, who gives help and comfort to his Christian brothers is seized with a fierce joy by Corvino. The mortal remains of Cecilia elicit excruciating remorse in the heart of Torquato. In repentance and sincere sorrow, he finds redemption In the catacomb, the priest Dinonisio consecrates the Holy Eucharist. Tarcisio offers his pure hands to carry the Holy Sacrament ... to the brothers awaiting martyrdom in the Mamertino jail. A Christian!... A Christian!... shouts the plebs. And the innocent Tarcisio receives the palm of martyrdom. Quadrato disperses the mob and collects the sweet victim still holding on his heart the Holy Sacrament. Sebastiano, tribune of Rome and soldier of Christ Lucina, Christian matron, gives her son Pancrazio the gold vial which contains his father's blood sanctified by martyrdom. Sira, Fabiola's slave and sister in Christ of Lucina and Pancrazio Fabiola, pagan patrician, is very irritated by the absences of her slave Agnese, Christian patrician, Fabiola's cousin Agnese's silent reproach touches the young pagan Richly dressed, Fabiola goes to banquet where are assembled friends of Fabio, her father Among the guests is Corvino, dissolute son of the Prefect, craving the rich dowry of Fabiola and Fulvio, adventurer from Asia, aspiring to the hand and riches of Agnese In Sira's room, Eufrosina bandages her wound... The veil lost by Sira, reminds the adventurer of his gloomy past... and Fulvio sees again Miriam, the Christian sister, in the paternal house in Antiochia ... and remembers his anger against the poor that she comforted ... and cursing fate when he was loosing his money gambling ... precipitated towards the saddest infamy ... Chapter Two First Part The plebs is excited against the Christians by Fulvio's calumnies ... based on the murky reasoning of an ignorant philosopher ... incited by an improvised demagog preaching hatred and violence ... The crowd, transported by a common rage ... loots, destructs, burns the Christians' houses Fulvio and Corvino lead a detachment to Agnese's villa to capture her. Sira realises their intention ... and informs the good Lucina. Pancrazio and Quadrato overtake Fulvio and Corvino. While Pancrazio hurries to the villa, Quadrato bars the way to the legionaries. Fulvio finds another way to enter the villa ... He violates the sacred laws of hospitality and surprises Agnes' rest. Rejected, despite his promises of devotion and affection, Fulvio tries to win her ... with an infamous alternative : wedding or martyr Fearing the servants called by Fabiola, Fulvio responds to her wrath by showing Agnes' arrest warrant Pancrazio, the adolescent martyr . In her trust in God, Lucina finds strength and solace to her maternal grief. Agnese is presented to her pagan judges. Regardless of any threat, Agnes makes a public profession of the Christian faith. The imminence of the execution of Agnese does not dismay Sebastiano,... who proclaims himself a soldier of Christ. Quadrato proclaims also proudly his faith. The palm of martyrdom, the prize desired by Agnese. Sebastian, the soldier martyr. Imploring God for forgiveness and light for his executioners, ... Sebastiano joins the ranks of the martyrs. Fabiola, the pagan who already feels Jesus in her heart, ... piously prepares the body of the saint martyr. The mortal remains of Agnese are brought to the catacombs. In the peace of the catacomb, Agnese is sleeping and resting at the same time. In front of Agnese's tomb, Fabiola, purified by baptism, ... kisses the forehead of Sira, her sister in Christ. By virtue of the blood of the martyrs, a brilliant light radiates from the catacombs... to illuminate the world over the centuries. The End