John Dalmas asks Steve Schwartz:

>> Fans may remember it fondly as the source of a beloved howler: John
>> Wayne as a Roman centurion grunting, as only he could, the line "Truly,
>> this was the Son of God."
>
>Why is that a howler, Steve?

Because of the way he said it.  The story goes that the director told Wayne
to deliver the line "with more awe." So in the next take, the Duke says,
"Aw, truly this was the Son of God."

You almost expect him to say, "Truly this was the Son of God, pilgrim."

Regards,
Bob Chen
Los Angeles, CA