Salome (1953, U.S.A.)

Based on the New Testament, SALOME features the world under the reign of Tiberius Caesar (Sir Cedric Hardwicke).

King Herod (Charles Laughton, Witness for the Prosecution) and Queen Herodias (Judith Anderson, Rebecca) rule Galilee.  However they’re damned by the prophet John the Baptist (Alan Badel), who claims that Herodias is an adulteress. Meanwhile, Herod’s estranged stepdaughter, Salome (Rita Hayworth) returns to Galilee.  She soon falls for Claudius (Stewart Granger) and converts to Christianity.  After John the Baptist’s capture, Herodias wants to execute him for speaking out against the kingdom.   However Herod is reluctant, due to a prophecy.  Salome realises that Herod is becoming increasingly fond of her.  So she dances for John’s survival.