The Robe
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Movie Reviews of The Robe
Movie Review: A lavish, spectacular pageant of the story of Christ and his conflict with the Roman Empire...
Summary: 4 Stars
"The Robe" deals with Christ's torment-stained robe which was gambled away under his Cross by the Roman soldiers... Inevitably the 'robe' leads to Rome, and along the way turns strong heathens into weak Christians, bringing love, happiness and death to the patrician Roman Converts as an insane Caligula rants across the breadth of 'CinemaScope' while the martyrs march out to their death, happy in the life hereafter and an invisible great choir seems to promise a sequel...
It is notable that Jesus of Nazareth is seen from far away in a white robe on his triumphal 'palm' entry to Jerusalem and as a 'tortured' figure, impossible to discern lying beneath the heavy cross... Henry Koster restraints with dignity the recreation of the execution carried out at Calvary, outside Jerusalem...
The spirit of the age is present in "The Robe" as the divine inspiration first developed upon the muscular Greek slave and then upon the arrogant tribune... And, of course, the splendor display of the Roman empire: The slave market and the traffic of human souls; the auction; the massage relaxing area; Jerusalem, the disputed Holy City; the wilderness of Judea; the terrifying meeting of Demetrius with Judas; the spectacular sword fight between Marcellus and the Centurion; and the trial of Marcellus...
Richard Burton is perfect as the strong unshaken Roman tribune Marcellus Gallio in charge of the Crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth who wins Christ's robe in a dice game...
Jean Simmons is lovely as the faithful Diane, the wise Roman maiden who stands firmly besides her love...
Victor Mature is brave and spirited as the early Christian convert Demetrius...
Michael Rennie is serious and profound in thoughts and manners as Peter, the Big Fisherman...
Jay Robinson is terrific as the psychotic high-pitched and piercing young Caligula...
Dean Jagger is full of devotion and reverence as the humble and honest Justus...
Richard Boone is good as Pontius Pilate, the Roman procurator of Judea who gives Jesus up to be crucified...
Ernest Thesiger is efficient enough as the austere Tiberius who greatly strengthen the Roman Empire...
Betta St. John is so sweet as the disabled believer Miriam...
Torin Thatcher is seen too helpless as the proud Senator Gallio..
Directed by Henry Koster, "The Robe" is a solemn epic from Lloyd C. Douglas' novel... It is the first motion picture ever filmed in CinemaScope... The film won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design and Best Art Direction-Set Decoration...
Movie Review: A Classic Tale of Conversion
Summary: 4 Stars
THE ROBE is a film that can be called "old fashioned" in a good sense. It was the first feature filmed in Cinemascope, a major development at the time and a grand epic tale such as THE ROBE, set in Rome in its glory days, is well suited for the format. The film tells the story of Marcellus Gallio (Richard Burton),a Roman tribune and son of a senator who angers the soon to be emperor Caligula and finds himself stationed in Palestine. His connections get him reassigned to another post, but before leaving he has to do one favor for Pilate--witness an execution and make sure a riot does not begin. The execution turns out to be that of Jesus Christ. When the soldiers draw lots for Jesus' garment, Marcellus wins, but his life is forever changed. At first he cannot forget the execution which makes him believe that the robe is haunted. He then begins a search for the robe so it can be destroyed, encounters followers of Jesus, and begins to reexamine his life.
For modern audiences, THE ROBE can seem a bit stiff and far fetched, though when it was released it was considered not only a cinematic feat, it was also a respectful way to retell a religious story and honor a popular literary work. The strength of the film is Marcellus' conversion, the central plot line is well done. It is the classic story of conversion: exposure, resistance, acceptance, and a change of heart. The film includes Jean Simmons as Marcellus' love interest, the young and loyal Diana. Victor Mature plays Demetrius, a Greek slave who is Marcellus' steward and the first to become mesmerized by Jesus. The early Christians, Peter (Michael Rennie) and the fictional Justus (Dean Jagger) are somewhat one dimensional. Jay Robinson's Caligula is a bit over the top in comparison with the other characters in the film which comes across as a bit too dramatic. In a day and age when historical accuracy is so important, some historical aspects of the film are questionable at best. Of course the same can be said for BEN HUR and THE TEN COMMANDMENTS but viewers can't help but love these larger than life tales, whether or not they're accurate historically. It was a product of its time and it is an enjoyable, nostalgic film.
Movie Review: A Good Biblical Epic
Summary: 4 Stars
The Robe is most famous now for being the first movie filmed in CinemaScope. It was not the first film shot in a widescreen process. There were a few experiments with widescreen in the twenties and thirties, but The Robe was the film which started the boom in the production of widescreen epics. The Robe therefore has a definite and important place in cinema history, but this would mean little today if it were not also a fine film in its own right. In this respect it does not disappoint. The story tells of Marcellus Gallio (Richard Burton), a Roman tribune sent to Palestine who oversees the crucifixion of Christ. He wins Christ's robe in a dice game, little realising the significance it will have for him. Burton is very good in this role and shows what a fine film actor he could be. Victor Mature is also entertaining as Demetrius, Burton's slave and later his friend. Best of all the film shows Jean Simmons at her best, playing Diana the woman Burton loves. My only complaint about her role is that she does not appear on screen enough. Biblical epics may not be terribly fashionable nowadays, but I've always enjoyed them and The Robe is one of the best of the genre. It describes the events surrounding the familiar Biblical stories using characters from the Bible and fictional characters to flesh out the narrative. In this way it rather resembles how Ben Hur interweaves the Biblical story with fictional events of Ben Hur's life. This technique works well in The Robe and makes for fine historical fiction with a religious theme.
The print used for the Twentieth Century Fox DVD is in good condition. The CinemaScope images have been anamorphically enhanced and look stunning. The colours are bright and clear and there is hardly any visible damage. The sound likewise is good with no background noise. This DVD only has some trailers for extras, but anyone who enjoys Biblical epics will want to get The Robe.
Movie Review: The 1st ever Cinemascope Movie now on WideScreen DVD
Summary: 4 Stars
In 1953 Hollywood answered the threat of television by announcing a new WideScreen format called Cinemascope. Up until now all movies were Standard 4:3 ratio format. Now, with 20th Century Fox's Cinemascope a 255:1 ratio (this is really spectacular to see on your WideScreen Home Theatre)and the "THE ROBE" people would marvel over this larger than life Technicolor film experience.With this 20th Century Fox DVD release we have GOOD news & BAD news; The GOOD news is this package provides an ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN presentation (this movie will adjust to any tv size uncluding HDTV 16:9). We also get 4.0 Surround Sound (great quality). The BAD news, the picture is NOT ENHANCED for WIDESCREEN TVs. (this makes for a grainy and dark presentation. The vibrant Technicolor is some what lost too.)
The movie "THE ROBE" itself remains one of the screens greatest biblical epics. Nominated for 5 Academy Awards including "BEST PICTURE & BEST ACTOR (Richard Burton)".
SUMMARY; A Roman Centurian (Burton) is charged with overseeing the crucifixion. He wins Christ's Robe in a gambling game at the foot of the cross & his life is changed forever. A grand supporting cast to include; Jean Simmons, Victor Mature & Michael Rennie.
The movie is 135 minutes in length. Extra Feature: Trailer Only
This is the movie which introduced us to Cinemascope and Hollywood would never be the same.
"The Robe" is a great Hollywood movie epic that should be experienced by everyone at least once.
Again my only reason for a 4 star rating is because of the graininess of the Home Theatre Wide Screen presentation. Enjoy.
Movie Review: Elaborate, moving Biblical epic
Summary: 4 Stars
Based on the best-selling novel by Lloyd C. Douglas, 20th Century Fox's production of "The Robe" has achieved immortality as the first film shot in Cinemascope, the now defunct wide-screen process designed to lure TV viewers out of their living rooms and back into theaters. The elaborate drama, directed by Henry Koster, stars Richard Burton as a Roman tribune in charge of the crucifixion of Jesus (voiced by Cameron Mitchell but never fully visible). Burton is later haunted by nightmares of the horrifying scene, and through the efforts of a slave named Demetrius (Victor Mature), who has claimed possession of the Messiah's garment, comes to embrace Christianity, much to the distress of the Roman authorities.
Burton earned his second Oscar nomination for his role here, but his overblown theatrics, though effective, are overshadowed by the subtler performance of the non-nominated but highly praised Mature who was generally dismissed in those days as more beefcake than thespian. The rest of the cast is memorable with Jean Simmons luminous as always, Michael Rennie as a saintly Peter, Richard Boone as a commanding Pontius Pilate, and Jay Robinson particularly good as an hysterical Caligula who sends Burton to the gallows when the soldier's belief in Christ conflicts with his commitment to Rome. And, yes, fellow film fans, that's the great Ernest Thesiger, Dr. Pretorious of "Bride of Frankenstein," as Tiberius.
The production is first rate and, for the faithful, the story and its conclusion is very moving. This is the kind of epic Hollywood would never consider making in these more secular times.