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The Robe (1953)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Release Date:
4 December 1953 (France)
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Tagline:
The First Picture on the New Miracle Curved Screen ! more
Plot:
Marcellus is a tribune in the time of Christ. He is in charge of the group that is assigned to crucify Jesus...
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Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won 2 Oscars.
Another 2 wins
&
4 nominations
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User Comments:
Another Biblical Tale Around a Peripheral Character
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Cast
(Complete credited 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 |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
135 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
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:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Richard Burton hated making the film so much that he turned down a studio contract from 20th Century Fox. He was amazed to receive an Oscar nomination after critics had almost universally described his performance as "wooden".
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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).
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Quotes:
Movie Connections:
Featured in Constantine's Sword (2007)
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This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (49 total)
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The Robe comes from a tradition of historical biblical fiction about a peripheral incident and/or character. It is in the same vein as Ben-Hur and Barabbas, films adapted from a similar source.
In this case it is Jesus's robe that he wore to the crucifixion. It is recorded that while He was on the cross waiting to die, Roman soldiers idled their time away by casting dice for the only possession He took to his death, his robe. The lucky winner turned out to be Richard Burton, a tribune recently sent on assignment because of a running feud with the Emperor to be.
The run in with Caligula was over a slave purchased by Burton, a Greek named Demetrius played by Victor Mature. Both Burton and Mature are exiled to Judea and they arrive just in time to see Jesus enter Jerusalem. Mature becomes converted to Jesus's teachings and Burton is driven mad by the enormity of what he has participated in.
The Robe was written by Lloyd C. Douglas who was an ordained Lutheran minister and who turned to writing at the age of 50 with his first best seller Magnificent Obsession. His writings were of the Christian inspirational variety and he was a very popular American writer right up to his death in 1951.
Richard Burton got one of his Academy Award nominations for his role. Jean Simmons as Diana who was the main source of his rivalry with Caligula gives a good understated performance of the woman who stood by the man she loved and his fate and passed up a chance to be an Empress.
Jay Robinson as Caligula got most of the notice. Although John Hurt in the I Claudius series is probably now the definitive Caligula, Robinson's performance holds up very well indeed. A substance abuse problem curtailed a promising career and though he did come back it was not the same.
The Robe was 20th Century Fox's first film in its new wide screen process of Cinemascope and really should be seen in a letter box version at home. Richard Burton is always good and elevates whatever film he's in.
Though in this case the subject matter is elevated just about as high as it can get.