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IMDbPro

The Robe

  • 19531953
  • UnratedUnrated
  • 2h 15m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
11K
YOUR RATING
Richard Burton, Victor Mature, and Jean Simmons in The Robe (1953)
Home Video Trailer from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Play trailer0:33
1 Video
99+ Photos
DramaHistoryRomance
In the Roman province of Judea during the 1st century, Roman tribune Marcellus Gallio is ordered to crucify Jesus of Nazareth but is tormented by his guilty conscience afterwards.In the Roman province of Judea during the 1st century, Roman tribune Marcellus Gallio is ordered to crucify Jesus of Nazareth but is tormented by his guilty conscience afterwards.In the Roman province of Judea during the 1st century, Roman tribune Marcellus Gallio is ordered to crucify Jesus of Nazareth but is tormented by his guilty conscience afterwards.
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
11K
YOUR RATING
    • Henry Koster
  • Writers
    • Philip Dunne(screenplay)
    • Gina Kaus(adaptation)
    • Lloyd C. Douglas(novel)
  • Stars
    • Richard Burton
    • Jean Simmons
    • Victor Mature
    • Henry Koster
  • Writers
    • Philip Dunne(screenplay)
    • Gina Kaus(adaptation)
    • Lloyd C. Douglas(novel)
  • Stars
    • Richard Burton
    • Jean Simmons
    • Victor Mature
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 98User reviews
    • 50Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 2 Oscars

    Videos1

    The Robe
    Trailer 0:33
    Watch The Robe

    Photos123

    Richard Burton in The Robe (1953)
    Richard Burton, Christey Marlo, and Arthur Page in The Robe (1953)
    Richard Burton in The Robe (1953)
    Richard Burton in The Robe (1953)
    Richard Burton and Jean Simmons in The Robe (1953)
    Jean Simmons and Jay Robinson in The Robe (1953)
    Richard Burton, Victor Mature, and Jeff Morrow in The Robe (1953)
    Richard Burton and Betta St. John in The Robe (1953)
    Richard Burton in The Robe (1953)
    Richard Burton and Jeff Morrow in The Robe (1953)
    Richard Burton and Jean Simmons in The Robe (1953)
    Richard Burton and Betta St. John in The Robe (1953)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Richard Burton
    Richard Burton
    • Marcellus Gallio
    Jean Simmons
    Jean Simmons
    • Diana
    Victor Mature
    Victor Mature
    • Demetrius
    Michael Rennie
    Michael Rennie
    • Peter
    Jay Robinson
    Jay Robinson
    • Caligula
    Dean Jagger
    Dean Jagger
    • Justus
    Torin Thatcher
    Torin Thatcher
    • Sen. Gallio
    Richard Boone
    Richard Boone
    • Pontius Pilate
    Betta St. John
    Betta St. John
    • Miriam
    Jeff Morrow
    Jeff Morrow
    • Paulus
    Ernest Thesiger
    Ernest Thesiger
    • Emperor Tiberius
    Dawn Addams
    Dawn Addams
    • Junia
    Leon Askin
    Leon Askin
    • Abidor
    Michael Ansara
    Michael Ansara
    • Judas
    • (uncredited)
    Jan Arvan
    Jan Arvan
    • Slave Dealer
    • (uncredited)
    Ben Astar
    Ben Astar
    • Cleander
    • (uncredited)
    Walter Bacon
    • Citizen
    • (uncredited)
    John Barton
    • Citizen
    • (uncredited)
      • Henry Koster
    • Writers
      • Philip Dunne(screenplay)
      • Gina Kaus(adaptation)
      • Lloyd C. Douglas(novel)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Richard Burton smoked 100 cigarettes a day throughout filming.
    • Goofs
      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!

      Diana: That *you* should be Caesar, vicious, treacherous, drunk with power, an evil, insane monster posing as emperor.

      Caligula: STOP IT!

      Diana: As for me, I have found another king. I want to go with my husband into his kingdom.

      Caligula: Then, by the gods, you shall! Go, both of you, into your kingdom!

    • Alternate versions
      In 1997 the opening credits were altered to give top writing credit to Albert Maltz. Maltz had written the initial screenplay when the project was at R.K.O. Maltz's credit did not appear on prior prints because he was one of the "Hollywood Ten" who was blacklisted.
    • Connections
      Featured in Demetrius and the Gladiators (1954)

    User reviews98

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    The Passion of the Robe
    The Robe (1953) is interesting on at least two counts: (1) the film takes its place as the first ever CinemaScope theatrical release and is therefore worthy of close study by all motion picture students; and (2) the film depicts the Passion of Christ, (as the inciting action that triggers the subsequent plot development), and as such, threads that part of the storyline with a genre stretching back over 1,000 years, where we find the first extant Passion Play scripts (other than the Gospel records themselves, of course). This again makes the film worthy of study by film students and theologians alike.

    The story of Christ on film is more important historically than may at first might appear. At either two or three reels, the first ever full "feature film" is arguably claimed to be the "The Passion Play" (1898), filmed in New York in 1897. The 'greatest story ever told' has hit the screen regularly thereafter, perhaps most famously in recent years with Mel Gibson's masterly personal tribute, "The Passion of the Christ" (2004).

    I will now comment briefly on some of the technical and visual aspects of "The Robe". The camera work majors on long shots, and it is interesting to analyse how each shot is framed for all that width of screen. The camera is mostly static, and shots have longer than average duration; the compositions really are not designed for a lot of movement. This gives the film that famous "epic" style that goes for the grand sweep, both visually, musically and emotionally. There is not a lot of internalisation within the characterisation - it is the (literal) width and scope of the production that grabs attention. The filmic style is not very personal, however. It really is as if we have the best seats in an outdoor drama on a massive stage.

    As you view, you may wish to make a note of the shots that seem to work best to the modern viewer. In the early part of the film, for instance, (just before the "Passion" sequence), Demetrius runs toward the camera in search of Jesus, after he's been beaten down by the Roman guards outside the gates of Jerusalem. An old lady sitting behind him on the cobbled pathway, has just finished tending his wounds. The shot is terrific, and works for modern audiences very well. Unlike a lot of the film, where much of the direction seems to be subjected to the demands of the CinemaScope process, this shot contains a dynamism that beguiles the film's age. Why? Because it uses the three dimensions of the set, along with arresting and dramatic movement, as Demetrius runs diagonally toward the camera and beyond us, toward the Crucifixion, which we see in the next sequence.

    Another sequence that really works well is the chase in the second half. It is arguably the most dramatic sequence in the entire picture, and certainly uses CinemaScope to best effect, as the horses thunder toward the audience. Over fifty years later, and it would be hard to better.

    By contrast, most of the film is played out in tableaux form, with action taking place across the width of the screen on lavish but shallow sets. The camera is a passive observer, unlike modern 'epics', which usually use very fluid camera set-ups along with computer-generated imagery (CGI). The actual crucifixion (masterful in what it does not show, by the way) is indeed an actual still life tableau, and could have easily been lifted straight out of the Oberammergau passion play. I do not say this to put the film down - this actually is a brilliant move, as it makes the action faithful to the genre of the passion play, which originally was played out exclusively through short tableaux.

    In this writing, my aim has been simply to help you consider alternative ways of viewing this, and other, historic motion pictures. Particularly, you may wish to take note of the sometimes unusual way the film uses: (a) framing, (b) shot length, (c) staging, (d) camera movements, (e) the use (or rather, the almost total lack of use) of close ups and 'cut-away' shots, (f) lighting, and the (g) music score and dialogue. Of course, there is much more to note: the use of dissolves and fades, which helps underline the 'epic' grandeur of every sequence. And I've not even touched on the story line or the acting. (Question: how might it have played as a silent movie?)

    In today's post-modernist society, the Passion play formula, with its emphasis on objective truth, may well gain renewed importance, since the narrative of Christ's passion may be in danger of becoming yet one more voice crying in a commercial wilderness devoid of ultimate human (and Godly) values of truth, goodness and conviction. The story of Jesus stands out as unique however it is viewed. The simple reason: the story of the Passion indeed IS unique! (Which is one reason why I consider it a 'genre' in its own right.) I contend, therefore, that "The Robe" is an important contribution to American cinema, both theologically and cinematographically; one among a select number of motion pictures, spanning over one hundred years of history, that every student should have opportunity to view and discuss at least once whilst still in full time education.

    A sidebar: "The Robe" really needs to be watched in 'letterbox' (i.e. in the original format), which on a small display does not do the picture justice. With HDTV coming along, look out for a digital re-release that will restore the original to its pristine glory. (Also, a side-by-side comparison with the Academy format version - shot at the same time - would be beneficial.) Best of all, of course, arrange to get it screened in your local art house cinema, and see it as it is meant to be viewed: on the big screen.
    helpful•34
    6
    • john-ruffle
    • May 17, 2006

    Details

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    • Release date
      • December 4, 1953 (France)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Corriganville, Ray Corrigan Ranch, Simi Valley, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Twentieth Century Fox
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 2 hours 15 minutes

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