The Robe (film)

The Robe is a 1953 Biblical epic film that tells the story of a Roman tribune who commands the unit that crucifies Jesus. The film was made by 20th Century Fox and is notable for being the first film released in Cinemascope.

It was directed by Henry Koster and produced by Frank Ross. The screenplay was adapted by Gina Kaus, Albert Maltz, and Philip Dunne from the Lloyd C. Douglas novel. The music score was composed by Alfred Newman and the cinematography was by Leon Shamroy.

It stars Richard Burton, Jean Simmons, Victor Mature, Michael Rennie, Dean Jagger, Jay Robinson, Richard Boone, and Jeff Morrow.

Background and production

The film was advertised as "the modern entertainment miracle you can see without the use of glasses", a dig at the 3D movies of the day. Since many theaters of the day were not equipped to show a Cinemascope film, two versions of The Robe were made: one in the standard screen ratio of the day, the other in the widescreen process. Setups and some dialogue differ between the versions.

The film had one sequel, Demetrius and the Gladiators (1954), which featured Victor Mature in the title-role, making The Robe the only Biblical epic with a sequel.

Plot

The action takes place in Ancient Rome, Capri and Judaea in 32 AD.

Marcellus Gallio (Richard Burton) is a Roman military tribune who antagonises Caligula (Jay Robinson), nephew to the emperor Tiberius (Ernest Thesiger), and his rival for the love of Diana (Jean Simmons) by buying the defiant Greek slave Demetrius (Victor Mature) on whom Caligula had set his sights. To punish him, Caligula sends him to Jerusalem. Before Marcellus’ ship sails, Diana comes to pledge her love and state that she will intercede on his behalf with Tiberius. Much to his surprise, Marcellus returns her feelings and asks her to wait for him.

Marcellus arrives in Judaea where he serves under Pontius Pilate (Richard Boone). He is assigned to lead the soldiers responsible for the crucifixion of Christ. He wins Christ's robe at dice and takes it with him. A rainstorm begins and Marcellus orders Demetrius to cover him with the robe but, as soon as the cloth touches him, Marcellus cries in agony that it is burning him. Taking back the robe, Demetrius calls Marcellus a murderer and curses him, then runs away.

Marcellus is consumed with guilt and is haunted by the dreams and mental instability that come from that event. He returns to Italy and visits the old Emperor Tiberius in Capri and tells him of his ordeal. The soothsayer Dodinius (Francis Pierlot) theorizes that Marcellus has been bewitched by the robe, and that only by destroying it will he be freed. Moved by his affection for Diana, Tiberius gives Marcellus an imperial commission to find the robe and destroy it. Marcellus returns to Galilee as a merchant and searches in vain for Demetrius who has become a Christian and the robe. In the village of Cana, he begins to see the gentle ways that Christ's followers have adopted and learns about the miracles that Christ performed. While staying at the house of Justus, who knew Christ, he is introduced to the disciple Peter (Michael Rennie)AKA the fisherman and becomes himself a Christian, a follower of Christ.

Meanwhile, Tiberius dies and Caligula is the new emperor. Diana, who has loved Marcellus since childhood, is taken by the emperor to see Demetrius being tortured in the palace. She learns from her servant Marcipor (David Leonard) that Marcellus is back in Rome and goes to warn him of this. Marcellus gets a group of his followers together to enter the palace by stealth to free Demetrius. They are caught and an angry Caligula gives Marcellus and Diana the choice to renounce their God or to die. They choose death over living under the rule of Caligula and at the film's close, they walk together in a state of bliss to their death.

Cast

Awards and nominations

• The film won Academy Awards for Best Art Direction–Set Decoration, Color (Lyle R. Wheeler), and the Best Costume Design, Color. It was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Richard Burton), Best Cinematography, Color, and Best Picture.
• The film also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Picture

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