The Robe
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Jay Robinson, Jean Simmons, Michael Rennie, Richard Burton, Victor MatureBrand: BURTON,RICHARD
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; French (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, 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: An inspirational, entertaining classic
Summary: 5 Stars
Twentieth Century Fox's adaptation of the classic Lloyd Douglas novel, "The Robe," has often been overshadowed by one important fact: it was the first film released in CinemaScope. Actually, Fox filmed "How To Marry A Millionaire" with Bette Grable, Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall, William Powell, etc., before it filmed "The Robe," in CinemaScope. It is said the studio thought it would be more appropriate, and possibly more financially rewarding, for the studio to release "The Robe" as the first release in the new widescreen process.
It is well known that all of the major studios were trying to deal with the impact of television in the early 1950s, especially since many people were staying home and watching the small, black and white screens, which offered FREE programs in a family's own home. The studios decided to offer things that weren't available on television: first, stories that couldn't be told because of the stricter censorship the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) imposed on television compared to the motion picture production code (which became more open to provocative stories as time went by); second, films could tell longer, more detailed stories, with obviously bigger budgets; and third, color, stereophonic sound, and wide screen processes were only possible in movies since the technical aspects of television were still being developed.
CinemaScope came after the introduction of Cinerama and 3-D in 1952. All of these processes had been developed and demonstrated years earlier; for some reason, the use of the costly processes, along with color film, did not become widely used until the 1950s. Technicolor itself began more economical and practical with the introduction of a more compact camera that used a single strip of film compared to the three strips required from 1934 until 1954. (The last film shot in three-strip Technicolor was Universal's "Foxfire" with Jane Russell and Jeff Chandler.)
Lloyd Douglas' Biblical novel, set in the first century, loosely discussed what might have happened to the robe of Jesus Christ, after he was crucified outside the city of Jerusalem. It also showed the initial impacts of Jesus' life and ministry, including the deep devotion of His followers. Douglas focused particularly on what happened to the tribune who supervised Jesus' crucifixion, as well as the impact of his Greek slave; both men ultimately became Christians and were put in conflict with the deeply troubled emperor Caligula.
The film which Fox made is a lavish, lush production and is generally faithful to Douglas' book. It was enhanced by vivid color photoraphy, impressive sets and costumes, and the inspirational musical score by Fox's musical director Alfred Newman.
When "The Robe" was finally shown on television, it was usually presented in the conventional version that had been prepared for theaters not equipped to project the film in CinemaScope. This was typical of most widescreen films presented on television, until the advent of larger screens and high definition television. Now it is possible to see "The Robe" in the proper aspect ratio, which is particularly impressive in the large crowd scenes and the chase scene which features a wagon pulled by four magnificent stallions.
It has been incorrectly stated that Alfred Newman's famous fanfare, with the extension he wrote in 1953 to introduce CinemaScope films, was first used in "The Robe." Actually, the film has the familiar Fox logo, still used today, and the words "CinemaScope" appear on the screen for the first time during the opening credits. The music is a special hymn-like tune, with a wordless chorus, that sets the stage for this ambitious epic production.
It remains highly entertaining and indeed inspirational. One wishes that Hollywood still made such deeply moving films. The sincerity of the story cannot be questioned and it is presented with some spectacular scenes that are based on Douglas' vivid descriptions in the original book, including the impressive sword fight between the tribune and a centurion who questions his authority.
The performances are generally quite good, too. This is Richard Burton (as Tribune Marcellus) when he was a handsome young actor who could certainly challenge Fox's reigning swashbuckler, Tyrone Power, especially in the fight scenes. Jean Simmons brings a sweetness and sincerity that remains quite charming and appealing. Victor Mature, as usual, has considerable strength and dedication, as he portrays the slave (Demetrius) who encounters Jesus. Michael Rennie is the "Big Fisherman," Simon Peter, who displays physical strength that is tampered by devotion to Jesus, as well as honesty when he admits to Burton his own personal failings. Jay Robinson is the delightfully wicked Caligula, representative of the decline of the Roman Empire. One will also notice a brief but impressive performance by a young Richard Boone as the governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate, who is already troubled by sentencing a man to death who he obviously believes may be innocent of the charges presented by Judea's religious leaders.
Summary of The Robe
Burton plays Gallio, the Roman put in charge of the execution of Christ, whose life is changed when he comes in contact with Christ's robe.Genre: Feature Film-Drama
Rating: NR
Release Date: 11-MAR-2003
Media Type: DVD
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