The Robe (film): Difference between revisions
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The film was advertised as "the modern entertainment miracle you can see without the use of glasses", a dig at the [[3D movie]]s 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 was advertised as "the modern entertainment miracle you can see without the use of glasses", a dig at the [[3D movie]]s 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. |
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The film was usually shown on television using the standard version that filled the television screen rather than show the proper dimensions of the CinemaScope projection. American Movie Classics may have been the first to offer telecasts of the widescreen version. Recent DVDs of the film, however, present the film in the original widescreen format, as well as the multitrack stereophonic soundtrack. When the original soundtrack album was issued on LP it used a remix for only monaural sound rather than the stereo sound that was originally recorded. |
The film was usually shown on television using the standard 1:37:1 ratio version that filled the television screen rather than show the proper dimensions of the CinemaScope projection. American Movie Classics may have been the first to offer telecasts of the widescreen version. Recent DVDs of the film, however, present the film in the original widescreen format, as well as the multitrack stereophonic soundtrack. When the original soundtrack album was issued on LP it used a remix for only monaural sound rather than the stereo sound that was originally recorded. |
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The film had one sequel, ''[[Demetrius and the Gladiators]]'' ([[1954 in film|1954]]), which featured [[Victor Mature]] in the title-role, making ''The Robe'' the only Biblical epic with a sequel. |
The film had one sequel, ''[[Demetrius and the Gladiators]]'' ([[1954 in film|1954]]), which featured [[Victor Mature]] in the title-role, making ''The Robe'' the only Biblical epic with a sequel. |
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Revision as of 21:33, 21 December 2007
| The Robe | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Original CinemaScope poster | |
| Directed by | Henry Koster |
| Written by | Lloyd C. Douglas Gina Kaus Albert Maltz Philip Dunne |
| Produced by | Frank Ross |
| Starring | Richard Burton Jean Simmons Victor Mature Michael Rennie |
| Cinematography | Leon Shamroy |
| Music by | Alfred Newman |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
Release date | 1953 |
Running time | 135 min. |
| Language | English |
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. Although it was the first film with the Cinemascope logo, it did not use the famous opening fanfare heard on all 20th Century-Fox films, but rather a mixed choir chanting a religious theme over the logo. (The fanfare and its musical extension, which was added especially for Cinemascope, are still used on all 20th Century-Fox films today, including Fox Searchlight Pictures, despite the fact that Cinemascope has not been used since 1967.)
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 Robe was originally announced for filming by RKO in the 1940's, and was set to be directed by Mervyn LeRoy[[1]], but the rights were eventually sold to Twentieth Century Fox.
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 was usually shown on television using the standard 1:37:1 ratio version that filled the television screen rather than show the proper dimensions of the CinemaScope projection. American Movie Classics may have been the first to offer telecasts of the widescreen version. Recent DVDs of the film, however, present the film in the original widescreen format, as well as the multitrack stereophonic soundtrack. When the original soundtrack album was issued on LP it used a remix for only monaural sound rather than the stereo sound that was originally recorded.
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 rather than deny Christ and live under the rule of Caligula and at the film's close, they walk together in a state of bliss to their death.
Cast
- Richard Burton - Marcellus Gallio
- Jean Simmons - Diana
- Victor Mature - Demetrius
- Michael Rennie - Peter
- Jay Robinson - Caligula
- Dean Jagger - Justus
- Torin Thatcher - Sen. Gallio
- Richard Boone - Pontius Pilate
- Jeff Morrow - Paulus
- Ernest Thesiger - Tiberius
- Dawn Addams - Junia
- Leon Askin - Abidor
- Helen Beverly - Rebecca
- Frank Pulaski - Quintus
- David Leonard - Marcipor
- Michael Ansara - Judas
- Jay Novello - Tiro
- Nicholas Koster - Jonathan
- Frank de Kova - Slave Dealer
- Harry Shearer - David
- Francis Pierlot - Dodinius
- Thomas Brown Henry - Marius
- Sally Corner - Cornelia
- Rosalind Ivan - Julia
- Anthony Eustrel - Sarpedon
- Dan Ferniel
- Van Des Autels
- George E. Stone - Gracchus
- Betta St. John - Miriam
- Anne Bancroft
- George Robotham
- Leo Curley - Shalum
- George Melford
- Ed Mundy
- Sam Gilman - Ship's Captain
- Virginia Lee - Specialty Dancer
- Percy Helton - Caleb
- Roy Gordon - Chamberlain
- Anthony Jochim
- George Keymas - Slave
- Ben A. Astar - Cleander
- John Doucette - Ship's Mate
- Jean Corbett
- Marc Snow - Auctioneer
- Hayden Rorke
- Ford Rainey
- Gloria Saunders - Slave Girl
- Emmett Lynn - Nathan
- Mae Marsh - Woman
- Alex Pope
- Cameron Mitchell - Christ [Voice]
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