The Robe (1953)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Henry Koster

Writers (WGA):

Philip Dunne (screenplay) and
Gina Kaus (adaptation)

Release Date:

4 December 1953 (France)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

The First Picture on the New Miracle Curved Screen !

Plot:

Marcellus is a tribune in the time of Christ. He is in charge of the group that is assigned to crucify Jesus...

Plot Keywords:

Crucifixion | Ancient Rome | Beautiful Woman | Blockbuster | Religion

Awards:

Won 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Richard Burton	...	Marcellus Gallio
Jean Simmons	...	Diana
Victor Mature	...	Demetrius
Michael Rennie	...	Peter
Jay Robinson	...	Caligula
Dean Jagger	...	Justus
Torin Thatcher	...	Sen. Gallio
Richard Boone	...	Pontius Pilate
Betta St. John	...	Miriam
Jeff Morrow	...	Paulus
Ernest Thesiger	...	Emperor Tiberius
Dawn Addams	...	Junia
Leon Askin	...	Abidor

Runtime:

135 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Western Electric Recording) (CinemaScope version) | 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) (re-release) | Mono (Academy ratio version)

Certification:

Iceland:L | West Germany:12 (f) | South Korea:All | Portugal:M/12 | Finland:S | Sweden:15 | UK:U | USA:Approved (PCA #16441) | Argentina:Atp

Filming Locations:

Corriganville, Ray Corrigan Ranch, Simi Valley, California, USA

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

The film rights to this film had originally been bought by RKO Radio Pictures in the 1940s. The studio never filmed it, eventually selling the rights to Twentieth-Century Fox.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Caligula is depicted in this movie and its sequel "Demetrius and the Gladiators" as persecuting Christians. However, he reigned from 37 to 41, while Christianity was still a nascent religion with most of its followers in the eastern Mediterranean. The first mention of Christians from the perspective of the Roman government, according to the Roman historian Suetonius, wasn't until the reign of his successor Claudius (reigned 41-54). The first major incidents of persecution of Christians did not occur until the reign of Nero (reigned 54-68).

Quotes:

Diana: [Marcellus has just been sentenced to execution; Diana leaves the podium to stand at his side] Sire, Marcellus is my chosen husband. I wish to go with him.
Caligula: Stand back! You're not on trial! There's no evidence against you!
Diana: Then if it please you, sire, I'll provide evidence. I have no wish to live another hour in an empire ruled by *you*! You dare to call yourself a Caesar. Once the Caesars of Rome were noble, but in you, noble blood has turned to poison. You corrupt Rome with your spite and malice.
Caligula: Stop! Stop it!
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in 'White Christmas': A Look Back with Rosemary Clooney (2000) (V)

Still Fresh & Alive 50 years later!

I got this movie from Blockbuster for $5.00 and it's worth it. It is a classic film with great performances by Richard Burton, Victor Mature, and the always fabulous Jean Simmons. If you're really interested in Christian movies, this is a fabulous film with wonderful scenery and acting. It will make you a believer in great film-making. The Robe is about Jesus Christ and his infamous Robe. The writing could be better but the acting is superb with a first rate cast. The costumes are colorful and the scenery is well done to recreate another era in history. I recommend watching if you are a fan of the above listed actors. I wish Jean well and she is always fabulous to watch again and again. I wish Jean became a Dame because she truly is one.