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Britannicus
Also known as [Nero and Britannicus]
(1912) France
B&W : Short film
Directed by Camille de Morlhon
Cast: Romuald Joubé [Britannicus], Jean Hervé [Néron], Gabriel Signoret [Narcisse], Jeanne Grumbach [Agrippine], Sylvie, Valentine Tessier
Compagnie Genérale des Établissements Pathé Frères Phonographes & Cinématographes production; distributed by Compagnie Genérale des Établissements Pathé Frères Phonographes & Cinématographes. / Scenario by Jean Racine and Camille de Morlhon. Cinematography by Georges Daret and Alphonse Gibory. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / The film was released in the USA by The Eclectic Film Company.
Drama: Historical.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? In the opening scene, Britannicus is seen wooing Junia, to whom he is betrothed. He is the rightful heir to the throne of Rome. The emperor having died, Nero, assisted by his scheming mother, is proclaimed emperor instead of Britannicus, who is informed by his friends that the throne has been usurped by his treacherous stepbrother. Britannicus, alarmed by these tidings, hastens to Rome to claim the throne, and is met by Nero, who cunningly offers to let the people decide. Nero is hailed by the people as their ruler to the disgust of Britannicus, who informs his betrothed of Nero’s treachery, and enlists her influence to recover the throne. He entrusts this letter for delivery to a supposedly loyal friend named Narcissus, who, instead of delivering the message to Junia, hands it over to Nero. Narcissus returns to Britannicus, and makes him believe that Junia has spumed his love message and no longer cares for him. Britannicus, terrified by this second misfortune, can hardly believe his senses, and is for the moment crushed. So as to separate the lovers forever. Narcissus now counsels Nero to have Junia abducted, and the fair woman in the dark of night is made a prisoner by Roman soldiers, and carried to the emperor’s palace, where Nero is waiting. He gloats over the lovely form cringing before him in deadly fear, and a violent passion is aroused in the tyrant. Nero, enraptured by the charms of this virgin, decides to make her empress and thereby remove her forever from the influence of Britannicus, his hated rival. He writes Junia to this effect, warning her not to show any further affections to Britannicus, whose life is threatened in that case. Britannicus, after the first shock, begins to hope again, and is seen entering Junia’s home to satisfy himself of the true state of affairs. To his dismay, he finds his beloved gone and her attendants unable to inform him of her whereabouts. Immediately he sees the hand of Nero, on whom he calls to demand for information about the woman that is dearer to him than his life. Nero receives Britannicus, and makes him believe that he is his true friend by introducing him into the presence of Junia, who occupies an adjoining room. Britannicus bursts out in a passionate appeal to Junia, while Nero is seen crouching in the background observing the two. Junia has noticed Nero hiding behind a curtain, and therefore dares not confess her love to Britannicus. She treats him coldly, causing her unfortunate lover to rush in despair from the room. Nero, stepping out of his hiding place, again proposes to Junia, who spurns the tyrant, and in her extremity, whips out a dagger with which she threatens to end her life. Nero becomes frightened, desists and infuriated, leaves the room. We now see Nero shaking off the influence of his mother so as to better pursue his career of crime. His mother’s armchair thus far was placed next to his throne. He orders the same removed as an outward sign of his future independence. His mother just then enters and a quarrel ensues between the two. She denounces her son before the people as a usurper to the throne, and leaves the palace vowing vengeance. Outside she comes upon Britannicus, and immediately conceives the idea of using her son’s hated rival as an instrument in her revenge. She informs Britannicus by letter that Junia still loves him, and offers her assistance in his fight to recover the throne. Narcissus, the spy, is present when Britannicus receives this note. He manages to obtain possession of it, and hastens to Nero to inform him of the impending danger. Meanwhile, Agrippina has introduced Britannicus into the palace, and brought the lovers together. Nero suddenly enters, and beholding the situation. His anger knows no bounds. But before the strong will of his mother, he cowers and slinks from the room. He begins to realize that more desperate means must be employed to destroy his enemy. In such a moment, Narcissus suggests to him the use of poison, and Locusta, the official poisoner, is called in and consulted. She concocts a powerful poison which is tried upon a slave who quickly dies, convincing Nero that this is the quickest way to rid himself once and for all of his enemies. Nero addresses a letter to Britannicus, giving his consent to his marriage with Junia, and fixing a day for the wedding, which is to be celebrated in his palace. We see next the wedding procession and Nero plighting the troth between the lovers. The wedding feast follows, at which the court is sitting around the tables with Nero and his mother upon a raised platform in the center. Nero rises and drinks the health of the newly wedded couple. He bestows a signal honor upon Britannicus by sending him a cup of wine to reply to the emperor’s toast. Britannicus rises, and unsuspectingly drinks from the faithful cup. He has hardly touched a few drops when he falls down in great agony. A general commotion begins, during which Nero leaves his table and comes rushing to Britannicus, who is writhing on the floor dying. Agrippina, in a moment sizing up the true situation, accuses her son of the crime amidst the consternation of the wedding party. Junia, seeing Britannicus about to die, has quietly seized the poisonous cup and drinks the rest of the contents. She falls to the floor over the prostrate form of Britannicus, and the two, in a last embrace, die amidst the pandemonium around them. Unable to be together in life, they are joined in death, never to be parted again.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: (unknown) [France]; Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 14 October 2023.
References: Robinson-Palace p. 137 : Website-IMDb.
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