MovieChat Forums > Barabbas (1962) Discussion > The sulfur mine sequence

The sulfur mine sequence


This is a great display of the misery that Roman slaves were subjected to. It's as good as any ever put onscreen.

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I would agree. I can't think of anything worse. Looks even worse than coal mines. One of the things I like about this movie is that it shows his whole life- what he went through to get to God. Great flick!

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A primary source of revenue for the great ancient states like Rome and Athens were mining operations. Because primitive mining was so dirty and dangerous, only the lowest slaves were condemned to it. Only the life of a galley slave was as bad or as short. That would be as close a situation to hell as anything on Earth. Barabbas' physical torment matched the torment of his soul.


Illegitimus!

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I just watched the film, and thought the sulfur mine sequence was amazing. In fact I felt the film only kicked into gear from that sequence onwards.

Does anyone know what they used the sulfur for? Did they use it to make sulfuric acid to refine metal ores?

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It was used in medicines, and as a coloring agent for paints, among other things. I'm sure there were lots of others.

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The scene that came to mind when watching the sulfur mine sequence was the beginning of Spartacus. In the book, there's a great, very descriptive depiction of the life of a mine worker. It's so real, you feel like you're there.

I totally agree though, this scene was when the movie took off. The scenes leading up to it were somewhat slow with a few exceptions, but the movie really hit its mark afterward.

"Congratulations, Major. It appears that at last you have found yourself a real war." Ben Tyreen

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I must confess I was at first view looking forward, not only to Mr. Quinn's performance (I would pay to watch him tie his shoes!) but also to Katy "High Noon" Jurado and Sylvana "Ulysses" (1955) Mangano, prominent in the first part of the movie. So I would say those two princesses drew me in, and locked me down, but I really feel and believe in my heart that the Lord Himself used this movie mightily in my own wicked life...
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YE must be born again

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people still mine it today, mainly near volcanoes i believe. From the programme i saw i think yes, its medicines but also for chemical processes in the making of high tech metals....for mobiles and such like

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it thought it was to get to the devil?

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Did you watch the whole movie? or was that a joke? :)

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i did. why? in the end he says he gives him self to the darkness.

he was the reason all those christians were killed. he was the proof the romans needed.

jesus preached to love your enemy. not burn down there homes.

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He was confused - his helping the burning of Rome was because he thought THAT was the "new world to come."

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and his confusion led to the death of thousands of christians. he was confused till the last second. when he said is it day or night? but he ended up in the dark side

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I don't think that Jesus would say that being confused or even wrong is the worst thing if your intent is good. We shall have to agree to disagree. :)

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thing is what the movie is saying is very clear. "darkness i give my self into your keeping"

if he became good he would have said lord or God, or the light.

barabbas was struggling with the light and the dark, and in the end he fell to the darkness, he was the reason the messiah was crucified. (maybe if it was another convict the people wouldn't have picked jesus) and was responsible for the deaths of thousands of christians. (even though he wasn't that evil, and he didn't mean to.) .... that's what this movie says.

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Are you a "last word" type?

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uhhhhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. no

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All evidence to the contrary.

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i am right..... TRUST ME!!!.... we... must... keep....arguing... until you agree with me.

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I like your sense of humor! :)

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thank you... but let's not change the topic here.

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Which is that you're a last word freak????

Again, I disagree and your arguments aren't convincing enough for me, sorry. ;)

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we're all freaks of a kind. that is what it is to be human.

one must destroy the humanity within. to be come an animal.

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It also gives a kind of pictoral version of who might have been responsible for certain projects pertaining to the Romans. Did you know that the Coliseum was built by Jewish slaves from Jerusalem who survived the Revolt of 70 A.D.?

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