The Robe
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Movie Reviews of The Robe
Movie Review: Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
I had read the book years ago and wanted to see the movie. Richard Burton is outstanding.Movie Review: The Robe
Summary: 5 Stars
Thank you for the DVD - arrived in good time and great shape!
Gail Hindorff
Movie Review: Lavish, And Sensitively Handled Hollywood Religious Epic
Summary: 4 Stars
Of all the many stories and film efforts centred around the crucifixion of Jesus "The Robe",based on the famous novel of the same name by Llyod C. Douglas would probably be still the best known. Often accused now of being extremely dated and theatrical in its approach by critics who also target Richard Burton's performance in particular as an example of one that has not aged well, that I believe is too harsh an assessment. A recent viewing of this great biblical classic reaffirmed in my belief that to the contrary "The Robe", is a wonderfully inspiring piece of cinema still with a message about loving your fellow man regardless of their differences that is just as timely today as it was when the novel was written. The great joy of watching "The Robe", is that it can be appreciated on a number of different levels, in that it can be appreciated for its strong story telling and sound message of tolerance to all people that you dont have to be religious to be able to absorb, and secondly as a grandiose piece of old Hollywood movie making on a lavish scale filmed in beautiful colour with breathtaking sets and costumes, plenty of sword play action, and filmed in the then ground breaking process called Cinemascope that was designed to give large scale epics such as this a stunning appearance in the cinemas that people could not see on their television screens at home.
Richard Burton really had his ground breaking Hollywood role in "The Robe", where he plays Roman Tribune Marcellus Gallio who falls foul of the rage of the heir to the Roman Empire's throne Caligula (Jay Robinson), and as punishment is sent to the hellish back water of the Roman garrison at Jerusalem. Seperated from his love Diana (Jean Simmons), who has been promised to Caligula Marcellus sets out for the east with his Greek man servant Demetrius (Victor Mature). They arrive in Jerusalem just as the now famous messiah called Jesus arrives and immediately Demetrius is struck by the power of both the presence and teachings of the one they call Jesus, the Son of God. However as the restless next few days Marcellus finds himself recalled to Rome but not before his duty is carried out which is to oversee the crucifixtion of Jesus on Calvary. Winning the robe of Jesus in a dice match with the other soldiers Marcellus finds that the robe seems to possess strange powers which affect his mind and which he firstly believes is a curse placed on him by the robe's mysterious former owner who he has executed. Demetrius flees with the robe as a rememberance of Jesus and Marcellus sets out to find the robe and destroy it and its supposed evil influence. However Marcellus finds more than he bargained for in his search as he not only finds Demetrius but is introduced to the Lord's Disciple Peter (Michael Rennie), and through both him and the simple good influence of a villager Justus (Dean Jagger) begins to see the beliefs of Christ's followers in a different light. Upon returning to Rome Marcellus embraces fully the Christian teachings much to the dismay of both Diana and his father (Torin Thatcher). Once Demetrius is captured and tortured by Caligula who is now Emperor, Marcellus with the aid of other Christians stages a rescue mission which frees Demetrius but which finds Marcellus allowing himself to be captured so that his former slave and now friend may escape to safety. Put on trial before the whole court Marcellus is steadfast in holding on to his new beliefs and delivers a blistering verbal attack on Caligula and his corrupt ways which causes the Emperor to pass the death sentence on Marcellus as a supposed traitor to the Roman State. Diana however knowing that she loves Marcellus with all her heart decides to defy Caligula and in the poignant last scene joins him in his march to the archery field where both will be executed.
Good old fashioned story telling at its best is how best to describe "The Robe". It manages the often difficult task of weaving in fictional characters and occurences into a well known true story with ease. Director Henry Koster had a major task on his hands here driving such a sprawling story while keeping the narrative intact and entertaining. He succeeds very well here and has managed to extract some memorable performances from the leads. Richard Burton uses every ounce of his acting ability to make believable the transformation of the disbelieving tribune into a believer of Christ and his teachings, and even if in a couple of instances his performance could possibly be seen as a bit theatrical for the most part it is a marvellously controlled performance that is the heart and soul of this story. He very deservedly won an Academy Award Nomination for Best Actor of 1953 for his efforts. Victor Mature as Demetrius, although never a critics favourite, is an actor I always enjoy watching and in "The Robe", once again proves how totally suited he is to these biblical productions which he won his greatest fame in during the 1950's decade. He continued on in this role in the highly entertaining sequel "Demetrius and the Gladiators", the following year. Jean Simmons, given the confines of her role as Marcellus' love interest does the best job possible with what she has to work with and her love scenes with Richard Burton and when she locks horns against the insane Caligula are especially note worthy. Other stand out performances that need to be noted are the always excellent Michael Rennie as Peter, Dean Jagger in a very different type of role than usual as the simple villager Justus who influences Marcellus to embrace Christianity, and of course Jay Robinson in a wildly entertaining turn in the first of his two outings as the deranged Emperor Caligula. Nominated for 5 Academy Awards in 1953 including one for Best Picture, "The Robe", has first class production values in all areas from superb set and costume design recreating the look of the early Roman Empire to perfection, a stirring Alfred Newman score which is one of his best, and vivid colour photography by Leon Shamroy.
Rather sadly nowadays alot of these 1950's Biblical Epics are often dismissed as "old hat", or "out moded", however I happen to admire them greatly and am still after repeated viewings amazed by the great attention to detail and also by the sheer sincerity that goes into the performances in these efforts. "The Robe", is no exception and is a treasured part of my Easter viewing each year. I enjoy it both as sheer entertainment as well as for the strong affirming message it conveys to its audience. They certainly dont make epics such as this one nowdays mores the pity and for that reason among many I highly recommend a viewing of a young Richard Burton in his prime in Twentieth Century Fox's classic biblical story "The Robe". It should be in every Epic Film lovers collection without a doubt.
Movie Review: Great Movie!!!
Summary: 4 Stars
I high recommend if you haven't, you should watch this movie it is FANTASTIC! It is truly unfortunate that I only watched it because of my Religion class. I should have watched it a long time ago. A great biblical film that tells the story of a Roman Tribune who commands the unit who crucified Jesus Christ. Richard Burton stars tribune Marcellus Gallio did a great job. Great scene when Marcellus refuses at first and then tells Peter his role in the Crucifixion. Peter understands and tells Marcellus he denied Christ three times but that Christ forgave us all from the Cross. He accepts and becomes a follower and travels with Peter and Demetrius throughout the holy land and eventually to Rome. While traveling the old Emperor Tiberius dies and Caligula becomes the new Emperor. Later while walking with Demetrius during a rainstorm he commands to be covered by the Robe. He immediately screams in agony and orders it to come off. Demetrius takes off the robe and calls Marcellus a murderer, curses him and runs away. Marcellus is overcome with guilt and plagued by dreams that come from the event. He goes back to Italy and visits the Old Emperor Tiberius and tells him of his ordeal an agnostic speculates that the Robe bewitched him. Tiberius instructs Marcellus that to have peace he must find and destroy this Robe, and treat anyone who is followers of Jesus as traitors to Rome. Marcellus returns to Gaillee as a merchant, and searches in vain for the Robe and Demetrius. In a village nearby called Cana he saw first hand the gentleness and kindness the followers of Christ had towards people. While camping behind the house of Justus a man who knew Christ he meets Peter a disciple of Jesus. At a gathering for Peter Justus is killed by a roman solider.
Roman soldiers enter the area and begin to kill the people. Marcellus commands the soldiers to stand down and challenges the commanding the officer to single combat. Marcellus wins and the commanding officer and his soldiers leave. Peter asked Marcellus to become a part of the new movement. Demetrius is captured in Rome and Diana who has loved Marcellus since they were young knows that Demetrius is being tortured gets word to Marcellus who is also in Rome. Marcellus gets some men and save him. Marcellus stays behind to let others get away. He basically goes mad and blames his madness on Jesus' robe, which he won by casting lots, and believes it to be bewitched. In the end, he realizes that his madness is only his own guilt for having crucified an innocent man. On trial Caligula gives Marcellus a chance to save himself by renouncing Jesus. He refuses and is sentenced to death. Diana, who believes in Marcellus and detests Caligula, badly criticizes him publicly and also is sentenced to death. It's a wonderful Hollywood film (starring Richard Burton, Jean Simmons, and Victor Mature. I strongly recommend it:
Movie Review: A bit corny, but grand and awe inspiring too with great music!
Summary: 4 Stars
My wife just finished reading the novel and she wanted to see the movie, so we watched this DVD last night. That was fine by me, as I remember seeing bits and pieces of this movie throughout my childhood (I think it was one of the many "bible movies" that got rerun every Easter back in the early years of television) but I never actually sat through the entire movie from start to finish.
I must say that I truly did not remember just how visually stunning this movie is. Right from the get-go, I really believed I was in ancient rome. The first thing I admired was the costumes. For the first time I genuinely understood why there is an academy award for costume design, and color-me-surprised The Robe won it.
The Robe also won Best Art Direction Set Decoration and that was richly deserved too. A person shouldn't have to have a Christian belief system just to gawk at some of the visuals in this movie.
Now, one of the fun things I could do that most people can't is sit there and ask "is this in the book?" of someone who had just read the novel. I was saddened to learn just how much the screenplay adaptation changed the book. I think the book had a much better story, but it might have taken a mini-series to tell it. (Now there's a remake idea!)
The movie has some legendary actors, but I thought some of the acting was a bit over-the-top. Jay Robinson as Caligula must be the most whiney and annoying Roman emperor ever. The only mistake in casting I could stick my neck out and mention would be Richard Boone as Pontius Pilate. His performance was so deadpan I wondered if he knew the camera was rolling.
Of course, Jean Simmons as Diana was downright enchanting. A Roman who sounds British? Who cares!
On a historical note, if you are a Christian this movie might make you wonder just how many amazing events and stories unfolded in all those little villiages in Israel after Christ was crucified. How many little kids really got free donkeys and then gave them away? We'll never know, but I'll stuff like that really happened.
And finally, the use of music really left an impression with me. For some raeson I was nearly mesmerized by the opening credits music. It was much darker and foreboding than I expected, and creepy-cool too!
Also, I was rather moved by the scene in the village where the paralyzed woman plays a lyre (I think) and sings a hymn. It looked and sounded very authetic from what I know of the music of ancient Israel. It reminded me of Paul in 1 Corinthians encouraging believers to teach and admonish with "Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs". I'll bet stuff like that happened too.