for being pardoned instead of "the Master", but the two men eventually become friends. Over time, Sahak becomes too weak to work. As the guards are about to kill him, the mine is destroyed in an earthquake, with Sahak and Barabbas the only survivors. Julia, the superstitious wife of the local prefect, considers them blessed. The prefect is due to leave for Rome, having been appointed to the Senate. Julia insists that Barabbas and Sahak accompany him for good luck. Once in Rome, the men are trained to become gladiators by Torvald, the top gladiator in Rome. After a gladiatorial event, Sahak is overheard sharing his faith with other gladiators, and is condemned to death for treason. When a squad deliberately miss throwing their spears, Torvald executes Sahak. The next day, Torvald and Barabbas battle in the arena. Barabbas wins, killing Torvald and impressing Emperor Nero, who sets him free. Barabbas takes Sahak's corpse to the catacombs, where the local Christians are worshiping. They give him a proper burial. Barabbas becomes lost in the catacombs. When he eventually emerges, Rome is on fire. Barabbas is told that the Christians started the fire. Believing that the end of the world has come (as Rachel and Sahak had taught), Barabbas sets fire to more buildings. He is confronted by Roman soldiers and tells them that he is a follower of Christ. He is imprisoned with several other Christians, among them the apostle Peter. Peter admonishes Barabbas for committing arson, informing him that Christians would not do such a thing. Afterwards, the Christians are executed by mass crucifixion in the persecutions that follow the fire. Having finally placed his faith in Christ, Barabbas is crucified with the others. Cast Anthony Quinn as Barabbas Arthur Kennedy as Pontius Pilate Jack Palance as Torvald Silvana Mangano as Rachel Harry Andrews as Peter Ernest Borgnine as Lucius Katy Jurado as Sara Vittorio Gassman as Sahak Norman Wooland as Rufio Valentina Cortese as Julia Arnoldo Foa' as Joseph of Arimathea Michael Gwynn as Lazarus Laurence Payne as Disciple Douglas Fowley as Vasasio Guido Celano as Scorpio Enrico Glori Carlo Giustini as Officer Gianni di Benedetto as Officer Robert Hall as Commander of Gladiators Rina Braido as Tavern Reveler Nando Angelini Tullio Tomadoni as Blind Man Joe Robinson as Gladiator Frederich Ledebur as Officer Marcello Di Martire Spartaco Nale as Overseer Maria Zanoli as Beggar Woman Gustavo De