THE FIFTIES # 277: DELIA RAZON AND MARIO MONTENEGRO, TOGETHER WITH JOSE DE CORDOVA, JOSE VERGARA, ARTURO MORAN IN "BANAL O MAKASALANAN?" (1955)

"Banal O Makasalanan?" (1955)
LVN Pictures
Release Date March 31- April 9, 1955
Music Lt. Col. A. Buenaventura
Story and Direction Susana C. de Guzman
Cast Delia Razon, Mario Montenegro, Jose Cordova, Jose Vergara, Arturo Moran, Vicenta Advincula, Candida Balderama, Emelita Gutierrez and Jose Corazon de Jesus

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Based on a radio serial by Susana C. de Guzman, Banal O Makasalanan (1955) tells of Salome (Delia Razon), a seductive and alluring daughter of Herodias and stepdaughter to King Herod (Joseph de Cordova), who discovers faith and Christianity through her love for a Roman centurion named Cornelius (Mario Montenegro).

A prophet named Juan Bautista (or John the Baptist) denounced Herodias marriage to Herod, her former husband’s brother, as a sin. Herodias bitterly resented Juan’s denunciation and promptly ordered Juan’s arrest and wanted him killed. Herod, fearing that John may be the messiah foretold by prophecy, would not do it. However, Herodias devised a plot and used Herod’s birthday celebration as an opportunity to carry the plan. She let Salome performed a dance that pleased Herod no end. He offered her anything she desired. Encouraged by Herodias, Salome asked Herod for the head of Juan on a platter. Reluctantly, Herod was compelled to obey her desires and ordered Juan to be beheaded (see clip below).

Salome had nightmares and sleepless nights because of that incident and Cornelius was there to comfort her. When news of a new prophet named Jesus gaining ground in the countryside, Cornelius was asked by Salome to investigate. Disguised as an ordinary man, he seek out the Man they called Jesus. Through his own eyes, he witnessed how Jesus performed miracles like using only a few loaves of bread and several fish to feed thousands of men, women and children. Cornelius told Salome about this and asked her to go with him and lead a new life. Salome declined the offer. Salome asked Pontius Pilate’s help, Cornelius being one of Pilate’s men. With the help of Salome, Cornelius was arrested and because of the gravity of his crime he was sentenced to die. This was not what Salome wanted to happen and beg Pilate for mercy and to spare his loved one. Instead, Cornelius was given 20 whip lashes on the face that caused him to get blind. Disabled and incapacitated due to severe punishment, Salome asked Pilate for Cornelius’ freedom which Pilate acceded. She asked for Cornelius forgiveness and promised to take good care of him. The movie ends at Golgota, where Salome with Cornelius, seek Jesus for repentance and atonement. A miracle happened as Cornelius' eyesight was restored (see clip below).