I had read about these movies for years. Although I haven't watched all of them yet, The Sign of The Cross is very good movie. Some of the acting is a bit overly done, and the there are some rather thick Brooklyn or New Jersy accents used by the two spys, but overall this is an epic of the kind that will never be made again. A surprising display of eroticism during the famous bath in "asses' milk", complete with two cats drinking from it on the side, is especially facinating. There is also a surprising amount of near nudity and violence in the collesium scense, but again, this was prior to the Hayes Code. If the other movies are as good as this one, then this box set is truly a tremendous value. I highly recommend this set of classic films by the great Cecille B. DeMille.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This is a poor copy of the originals. My old VHS tapes are better at least you don't have a wavy out of focus picture to try to make out and not get motion sickness.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
This 5 disc collection is a bit pricey at retail and may dissapointed some fans. His early SIGN OF THE CROSS has been meticulously restored and the film is a fine example of a DeMille epic. However, it suffers from staginess and stilted acting by the two leads (Claudette Colbert and Charles Laughton in secondary roles are the saving grace). Get QUO VADIS if you want a spectacle with more development. FOUR FRIGHTENED PEOPLE is a long lost gem that does not get the epic treatment but is oddly sparse considering DeMille's grandiose style. It's more a a character study of four people stranded on an island and learning how to survive. Claudette Colbert shines as the mousey school marm who blossoms into a lusty jungle flower. CLEOPATRA is one of DeMille's most famous early epics and again every movie has been beautifully restored. This is more of a DeMille flick with all the pomp and grandeur and again stars Colbert as beautiful Queen of the Nile. THE CRUSADES is an interesting, although not as grand take on a legendary subject and boasts a strong cast. Don't expect too much spectacle here. However, UNION PACIFIC is pure entertainment filled with amazing train wrecks and indian battles. It also has a nice plot and plausible romantic triangle with the always reliable Joel McCrea, Robert Preston and of course, Barbara Stanwyck (in a standout performance). This is the best of the collection and should not be missed. However do not go looking for any extras on this expensive set or you will be disappointed. The packaging is well done but spartanistic and no bonus material (including the usual trailers) are on this set. For the price it could have included another movie in that time era REAP THE WILD WIND. The box set would have benefited from with this addition. As it stands, it is for the diehard fan of DeMille's early work only. It is a historically important box set and the restoration is awesome.Read full review
These five films are the work of a master filmmaker. Any true film fan should rejoice at their release finally on dvd. Four are true classics - SIGN OF THE CROSS, CLEOPATRA, THE CRUSADES & UNION PACIFIC. And the fourth - FOUR FRIGHTENED PEOPLE - is a very interesting change of pace starring the always enjoyable Claudette Colbert(as do the 1st two). The prints here are the best Ive ever seen or heard (with excellent close captioning). I applaud the splendid presentation of these films done by Universal/MCA . But why are there no extras - not even trailers? even I have trailers on most of these films from AMC & TCM - why are there none on these dvds? How about publicity - photos, posters, pressbooks, photoplays, etc --there's a lot out there on these classics from the Paramount vaults that MCA could have used. Even laserdiscs from MCA had more extras than this. No film scholars' commentaries are included. It is as if MCA couldnt be bothered. It's just another lost opportunity by the clueless folks at MCA/Universal.Read full review
this is a great package deal for fans of Cecil B Demille movies. the cleopatra is awesome! what an icon of a director. the 10 commandments not featured here is still one of the best in movie history! Iam sure i will enjoy the other features in this as well. he was know to be the best story teller in Hollywood. the packaging was secure. the price was good. and for film afficionados this will be a plus to my collection. james
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
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