The Robe (1953)

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:

Marcellus Gallio: Surely you don't believe he rose from the dead.
Justus: He lives more surely than we do.
Marcellus Gallio: He's DEAD! And no moonstruck girl can sing him to life again!

Movie Connections:

Featured in Constantine's Sword (2007)

Wow! What a powerful story!

Few movies today carry the wallop that Henry Coster packed into this one. The Lloyd Douglas masterpiece has been well adapted to film... and it is refreshing to see a film on a biblical theme that Hollywood hasn't screwed up and made Christianity look bad. Noah's Ark (1999 TV) is a Bible story to avoid. The Robe, on the other hand, is a great story, with a sincere effort to communicate a commitment to integrity, whatever the cost. I would watch this one again and recommend it highly as a true classic... I give it 9 out of 10.