Edward Saint Pé

Writer / Producer / Actor: I have been lucky enough to work on-air in television for all my adult life, both on the affiliate side and thru my company, WeatherVision. Now, with kids in college, I find myself with time to explore and my exploration has taken me back to what I wanted to do in the first place: screenwriting, the study of acting and directing. Orbis Romanus was my first film, a short for the film fests.
Orbis Romanus


Edward Saint Pé's first film, Orbis Romanus is an alternate take on the Roman ambush at Teutenburg forest in 9 A.D., where German tribesmen surprised the Romans and within three days slaughtered the 15th, 16th and 17th Roman Legions. About 15,000 troops died at Teutenburg. Historians agree that this massive defeat stopped Rome from it's planned conquest of Germania. This allowed, they also agree, for Germany's development apart from the rest of "Romanized" western Europe...a more nationalistic state...a state which trans-morphed in time into the Third Reich.

Saint Pé's screenplay asks: "What If"....one soldier learned of the German ambush and attempted to alert his General, preventing him from marching into the trap....If he succeeds, could history be altered? Could millions who later died in the wars and holocausts to come have been spared?

The DVD also contains 15 minutes of behind the scenes video of the actual shoot and the rehearsals prior to the shoot. It's a unique perspective on the making of a film.

As a BONUS feature to round out the experience... we have also included one of the public domain films from our library, "Gladiators Seven". This film was one of the original Italian "Sword and Sandals" movies. I choose this one because it has been reviewed well...The NY Times said: "It MOVES, a straight storyline with no dalliances, some burly humor, crisp dialog and performances that fit"...and is considered to be one of the better films in it's genre. A genre we boys who were tweens in the 60's just loved, of course many of us still do.



Praise for Orbis Romanus:

 

This is one of the best shorts I have ever seen. It is so great to see something this heroic and monumental and pithy in a short. Perhaps there is a morphic resonance finally emerging that will bring the public into a deep dialogue on war through this film. I have just finished making a film about the present effects of the Holocaust and needless to say it was ironic and wonderful to connect with the same theme from a time in the distant past.

Micheley Angelina
Film Producer, NYC

The importance of one soul must never be underestimated.

Dr. Darryl Wheat, PH.D.

 

'Orbis Romanus' is a strong solid example of Independent film making in it's purest form. Saint Pé stood out in the lead role, both physically and emotionally believable as a Roman soldier. The supporting cast deserves a nod as well. Everyone on the screen were completely dedicated to their roles. If you have a chance to see it, don't miss the opportunity. I look forward to seeing what Saint Pé has to offer in the future.

He Said
Hesaidshesaidmoviereviews.com

Though new to film making, Saint Pé has worked in television his whole life....and it shows. He is at ease in front of the camera and behind it. The film is beautiful to watch.

She Said
hesaidshesaidmoviereviews.com

Takes realism to the next level.

David Creel
Beautiful Magazine

Can the change of one detail alter the course of history? The movie packs in quite a bit of incident and characterization. Saint Pé and Cruz thoroughly look the part of Legionaries. Heather Thurgood is eerie as the ambiguously motivated "see-ress" who offers saint Pés character "Saturius" an unwelcome glimpse of things to come.

Dr. Michael Gleason
Classics & History Department
Millsaps College

 

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