The Robe

The Robe
by Henry Koster

The Robe
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DVD Cover Information

Actor: Jay Robinson, Jean Simmons, Michael Rennie, Richard Burton, Victor Mature
Director: Henry Koster
Cinematographer: Leon Shamroy
Editor: Barbara McLean
Producer: Frank Ross
Writer: Albert Maltz
Writer: Gina Kaus
Writer: Lloyd C. Douglas
Writer: Philip Dunne
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; French (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled)
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.55:1
Running Time: 135 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2001-10-16
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: 20th Century Fox

Movie Reviews of The Robe

Movie Review: 2009 SPECIAL EDITON: THE ROBE
Summary: 5 Stars

In this 2009 Special Edition re-release of "The Robe" we are presented the very best possible restoration of this classic 20th Century-Fox film which with the wonderful extra features make this a very special experience.

The film itself remains what it always has been, a rather wooden but still entertaining epic of the foundation of Christianity in the 1st Century A.D. The performances range from subtle and engaging as by Jean Simmons, to surprisingly effective as in the under-rated Victor Mature. The uneven performances move on to the theatrical and unschooled in film style of Richard Burton and finally lands with a huge splash and lots of color everywhere with the over the top Jay Robinson as Caligula.

But on with what is superb about this DVD release. And that is the Extras! And I don't mean the thousands of people on the roman sets. The commentary is delicious by film historians Jon Burlingame, Julie Kirgo and Nick Redman (of Film Score Monthly) and film composer David Newman (son of The Robe's composer Alfred Newman). Mostly the talk about the magnificent music of the film, the history of the studios fabled music stage, the musicians. But also a lot is given over to the actors, director and the making of the film. I must say that Julie Kirgos observations on Victor Mature's performance gave me a new insight into his work. But for me the most wonderful extra was the music only option. You can view the film with only the score playing. With the dialog and sound effect missing your ears open up to the massive and splendiferous score by Alfred Newman. It is fascinating to listen to and to hear the voices at the end to the cues of the composer and orchestra members.

Also included is a short feature on the making of the film, which is fantastic. The Robe may not be the best picture in the Epic genre, but historically important for changing movies forever with the introduction of Cinemascope and Stereophonic sound. To round out the entire Special Edition, the film has been restored to its fabulous Technicolor splendor as is pointed out in a brief and interesting introduction by Martin Scorsese.

Summary of The Robe

The first movie ever filmed in CinemaScope, THE ROBE ws nominated for five Academy Awards in 1953, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Richard Burton. Burton stars as Marcellus Galilo, the Roman centurian charged with overseeing the crucifixion. But when he wins Christ's robe in a gambling game at the foot of the cross, his life is forever changed.
When Roman tribune Marcellus Gallio (Richard Burton) is sent to Jerusalem, one of his assignments is the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Marcellus, a cynical and hardened man, wins the robe Jesus wore to the crucifixion while gambling with other Roman soldiers underneath the dying savior. He later becomes convinced that his hallucinations and violent outbursts are the result of a curse received from the robe, which is now in the possession of his escaped slave, Demetrius (Victor Mature), somewhere in the Middle East. He sets out to find Demetrius in order to destroy the robe and the curse and finds faith instead, converting to Christianity. This was the first movie to be filmed in CinemaScope, and won Oscars in 1953 for costume design, art direction, and set decoration. The visual aspects of the film are stunning, and it may be worth viewing for that alone; however, the script and acting leave much to be desired, and you won't find inspiration in these areas if that's what interests you. If, however, you are more interested in this film for its religious matter, the story of the conversion of the hardened Marcellus is inspiring. --James McGrath

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