An oddity in the PEPLUM universe: it was made and release in the 1930s, when few of them were made. Like many Cecil B DeMill films, it runs hot and cold. Some of it is pretty amazing (like this whipping scene...I'll make a GIF out of it) while other parts are pure cornball. The screenplay was based on a play by Wilson Barrett, who was profiled here at the blog: Wilson Barrett, major PEPLUM connection.
I just watched this movie again and as you said it's hot and cold. Typical movie of the time nearly all sound stage sets. DeMille does a fairly decent job, but from my understanding the early Christians used the sign of the fish not the cross as is shown in later films. Arena scenes were all right, but back then they used the Maximus Circus to stage their games.
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