Sebastiane

1h 26m 6.5/10

Overview

Rome, AD 303. Emperor Diocletian demotes his favourite, Sebastian, from captain of the palace guard to the rank of common soldier and banishes him to a remote coastal outpost where his fellow soldiers, weakened by their desires, turn to homosexual activities to satisfy their needs. Sebastian becomes the target of lust for the officer Severus, but repeatedly rejects the man's advances. Castigated for his Christian faith, he is tortured, humiliated and ultimately killed.

Director

Derek Jarman

Top Billed Cast

Leonardo Treviglio

Sebastian

Richard Warwick

Justin

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Neil Kennedy

Max

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Barney James

Severus

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Donald Dunham

Claudius

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Ken Hicks

Adrian

Reviews

CinemaSerf

6/3/2023

6/10

There is something quite sensuous about this rather vulgar, raucous and unsubtle take on the martyrdom of St Sebastian. When there is any dialogue, it is in Latin which somehow adds to the mystery of the story. It's not anywhere near as graphic as you might expect, nor the sado-masechism as prevalent. It does border, frequently, on the comedic, though - perhaps not an effect Derek Jarman was seeking. Who plays whom in the film is academic, it is all about imagery and just about works at that.