The Robe

I bought this for my Mother for Christmas. We grew up watching this on VHS, it was good one for Sundays because my parents didn't object to it like they did most movies on the Sabbath. It's an all around, really good, interesting, thought provoking movie with both adventure and excitement (Some parts remind me of Robin hood or something.) as well as a touching gospel message.

Don't watch the film! Read the book instead. The book is wonderful.I was really disappointed with the film - even if the wonderful experience of reading the book was 6 months prior. I am reading the book again for Easter next year - but I wouldn't waste time on watching the film. Maybe one could hope for a remake - a miniseries - would be fitting. I normally like Richard Burton and old films etc. but this one was too "thin"!

The restoration is beautiful. The images are clear, the color breathtaking. The sound track is solid with some dimensionality though the bass is weak. However the movie itself does not hold up -- it is ponderous, tedious and lacks in dramatic tension. Some of the acting seems very wooden.

I've always loved epic films, so The Robe holds a special place as the first Cinemascope production, and first widescreen film of the modern era. Given that history the blu-ray transfer could have been awful, but I'm pleased to say that it is beautifully restored and of optimum quality. It faithfully reproduces the original film in all its glory, from an era when Christian themes were still openly treated. What really speaks well for the quality of this production is the fact that if you had no awareness of its history, you would have no indication that it was the first Cinemascope feature. There is nothing probing or clunky about it, and it looks as well as anything that came after. The story has been repeated several times so I'll just say if it appeals to you buy it. My only complaint is that my copy took forever to load and jammed a couple of times. I don't know if it is due to the disc itself or my player, but it is still a worthwhile purchase.

I show the movies to a group of seniors at my retirement
community. We enjoy the old and decent movies. Very few
of the recent movies are worth the electricy it takes to
run the video player, so we go for the old time movies
and we appreciate the fact that they are still available
through Amazon.
Thank you, Gordon

Re: Blu-ray edition

To enjoy this "restoration", you must be willing to ignore the soft focus, washed-out daylight scenes and yellow skin tones. The films only virtue, and perhaps the only reason to buy this video, is the stellar performance given by Jay Robinson as Caligula. While his role is a small one, Jay easily outperforms the rest of the cast.

Television was really hurting the film industry and 20th Century Fox thought they had the big gun to shoot down that 10 inch pain in the box office - CinemaScope - And their first round of ammo: THE ROBE.
I saw it at the lavish Fox movie palace in Detroit. And it was an event . . . the giant screen exploded with color and the sterophonic sound (speakers surrounded you, sound engulfed you - WOW!
The film itself was not on the scale of QUO VADIS (what is?) of a few years before, but had quite a lot going for it: Jean Simmons, always excellent and SO beautiful, and the best work Victor Mature ever did - a real surprise, Mature wae a real actor of worth, the supporting cast is very good, some beautiful sets and vivid color. And then there is Jay Robinson's shrill hysteria, screaming his way through the roll of Caligula (in beautiful red and blue capes that he "worked" like a real queen) - Again no match for Ustinov's brilliant Nero in QUO VADIS, but campy fun. The comparison to QUO VADIS for me was unfortunate but what choise did I have? One was gold, the other bright brass. Giant screen and super sound does not a movie spectacle make. Alfred Newman's classic score stands the test of time however - a marvel (he stole a bit from previous scores of his) and you can hear an isolated music track on this welcome release - it's well worth the price of admission!
The film was good, but no marvel - as Fox wanted us to believe CinemaScope to be. Actually it changed the shape of our movie screens FOREVER - In that, it's earned it's place in cinema history.
THE ROBE is a good movie - not great - but certainly worth the effort of its restoration of sight and sound. It never looked so good for the home market - not on tape or laserdisc. It would be wonderful if one could see this as it was ment to be seen, on "the big screen", but until that time (if ever) this release is most welcome indeed.

This new release of the The Robe is a very impressive visuall (and audio) restoration of the old narrow (band) VHS release we saw a few years ago. The picture has been widened to fit the tv screen making for a much enhanced viewing experience and the visual improvement is quite noticeable (an understatement). Well worth paying a few extra $ for this DVD RESTORED version. Am now very interested to see what this version looks like in Hi Def BLU Ray ...

The quality of the DVD was incredible! The extra material and interviews made the film even more interesting, especially if viewed prior to watching the movie. The stars were spectacular. I seriously doubt such a film could be made in today's politically correct, anti-Christian environment in Hollywood. This one is a keeper!

the religious epic -- a close cousin to the more action-oriented sword and sandal epic -- was a strange trend in cinema. Ponderous movies performed by actors who felt obliged to stare off meaningfully into the distance...and yet audiences ate them up. Heck, Richard Burton even got an Oscar nomination for this typical if slightly above average entry. No expense was spared (you don't want to nickle and dime Jesus, do you?) and the lavishness shows on this fine Blu Ray edition complete with an appreciation by Martin Scorsese, audio commentary, making-of features, a newsreel and more. Visit me at michaelgiltz dot com.

Classic movie I saw when I was very young (50 now), and wanted to have in my collection. Love the message and sure does bring back memories. Films like this go most unappreciated by younger people, who have been hypnotized by all the new bells & whistles of the new films. It takes a respect for what they did when they had what they had to do it with! And more often than not, even without the bells & whistles, they did a better job then, than the new films do with them now(in my opinion of course).

I've always loved this film and have had every version of it in Beta tape, VHS, Laser Disc, DVD and now BLU-RAY. I was expecting a little better picture but was blown away by it's richness. It took me back to the first time I saw this movie as a child of 9 sitting in the front row of the JUMBO theater in Philadelphia (1954) I believe, and the screen exploding in front of me for my first experience of glorious Cinemascope.
BEAUTIFUL!

Sadly disappointing. Some fact mingled with fiction, not really what I expected... Hollywood's version of post-crucifixion events. The reality far supercedes anything Hollywood could trump up.

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.

VHS Tape was ok, it had been used more than I thought it would have been according to the seller but I was still satisfied with my purchase.

I've always been a big fan of Richard Burton and Jean Simmons. This is a wonderful movie and a beautiful story that takes place around the events that took place in Jesus' life just before and after the crucifixion. It's a wonderful movie to watch especially during the Easter and Christmas holidays.

You pretty much have to be a Christian to enjoy this movie. Its more a propaganda piece than a historical drama. All the allusions to the greatness of Christ gets to be chore and a bore. This large scale production lacks much artistic and historic sensibilities (still see it in today's movies) as well. Outcome: cheese.

If you wish to watch something Roman oriented avoid this. And if it Christian/biblical theme you want there are plenty of other movies that are better out there.

The highlights of the film are the direction, the acting is adequate and the writing is well, insulting if you know anything about ancient Rome. Also the sound on the DVD is poor. The loud scenes are TO LOUD and the low volume scenes are TO LOW (pick one or the other).

i was wary when i read that THE ROBE would be released on blu-ray. i mean the original master/negative is 56 years old. but i am quite happy to report 2oth Century Fox has done a first rate job of restoring the
film. for blu-ray. the film is decidedly on the corny/hokey side but
quite enjoyable nonetheless. an added bonus is listening to Alfred
Newman's classic score in crisp clear high def glory. the reason the
score wasn't even nominated for an Oscar is simple. the piece of music played during Demetrius's rescue from the torture chamber was in the
eyes of the music branch of the Academy way to similar to the music
played during Esmeralda's rescue in the 1939 version of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME.

also Jean Simmons is as far as i know alive and well so why in God's
name was she not interviewed for the making of documentary? 2Oth Century
blew the opportunity big time.

Not worth double dipping if you have the old dvd.
This new transfer has a lot of blurry color scenes.
Stick with the old copy at least the movie doesn't change in color.

Thank you for the DVD - arrived in good time and great shape!

Gail Hindorff

When a Roman Centurian, Marcellus Gallio(Richard Burton), is ordered to oversee the crucifixion of Jesus and wins his robe while gambling at the foot of the cross; his life is changed forever. Supported by an all star cast and a spectacular score, this first Cinemascope film truly paves the way for this medium and in turn, remains one of the screens greatest biblical epics.

Just in time for the Easter, 20th Century Fox offers up a newly-remastered, special edition release of the 1953 Biblical epic The Robe on DVD and Blu-Ray. This is a review of the DVD release. Based on the novel by Lloyd C. Douglas, The Robe is the story of Marcellus Gallio (Richard Burton), a Roman tribune who is sent to Palestine as a punishment for antagonizing Caligula (Jay Robinson) and threatening to rival the volatile emperor-to-be for the affections of the beautiful Diana (Jean Simmons). He arrives just in time for Passover, and within days he is ordered to oversee the execution of the recently tried and condemned teacher Jesus. After the crucifixion, the soldiers cast lots for Jesus's clothing and Marcellus wins the robe. Acquiring the robe sends Marcellus into a downward spiral of fear and paranoia, and fearing he might destroy the garment, Marcellus's slave Demetrius (Victor Mature), interested in Jesus's message, steals the garment. Marcellus begins to believe the robe itself is cursed, and recalled by the emperor, he reports on Jesus's teachings and followers - it's a new doctrine of freedom that the emperor finds threatening. Marcellus returns to Palestine to find and destroy the robe and to ferret out the seeds of rebellion that might grow with the spread of this new "Christian" faith. As Marcellus gets to know Jesus's followers, he finds his life transformed by the truth by the life and legacy of the man whose execution he oversaw. Becoming a believer brings the power of the Roman political establishment to bear against Marcellus, and soon he must decide what he's willing to sacrifice in order to follow his new spiritual king.

When given the chance to review this new DVD release of The Robe, I jumped at the opportunity - after all, it's what you might consider the "grandfather" of all Biblical epics. It's the first film that was released using CinemaScope technology, which completely changed the way films could be conceptualized and viewed. Suddenly there was nearly twice as much space available in which to visually tell the story. Long before widescreen was the standard, The Robe paved the way by taking every advantage of the new technology. Every frame of The Robe is filled with eye-popping color, detailed sets, and gorgeous costumes. Thanks to a superb remastering job, The Robe has probably never looked (or sounded) better. The DVD is padded with a handful of special features, including a brief introduction by Martin Scorsese, an isolated music track highlighting Alfred Newman's sumptuous score, a commentary track with David Newman and three film historians, and still galleries. Personally I found the thirty minute The Making of The Robe featurette to be the most interesting. It gives an excellent overview of The Robe's ten-plus year journey to the big screen, touching on the filmmakers, studio changes, casting process, and the film's legacy. It also gives the film some historical context by discussing how the Black List, McCarthy trials, and the general politically volatile climate of the time as a whole informed the way the story was brought to the screen.

If you're a fan of big, splashy epics The Robe is definitely worth checking out. Sure, it's not without its shortcomings - the dialogue is occasionally a little clunky and the whole introduction of the robe as a sort of talisman comes off a bit contrived - but it's an absorbing film, especially fascinating to view in light of how it informed later film classics like The Ten Commandments and Ben-Hur. The real strength of the story is in Marcellus's transformation from a hardened secularist to a man of faith. That journey is handled with a deftness and grace that makes his story timeless and authentic over fifty years after the film was made. And if you've only seen the film, it's worth checking out the novel which is still in print. It's highly readable, and over the course of 500 pages Marcellus's character and faith transformation are given even more room to develop and grow.

This is the first picture ever made in Cinemascope where the screen is twice as wide as it is tall. After being given the Blu-Ray treatment, and remastering there are some spectacular scenes in this film yet we also concede that many scenes were made on the film stage that should have been in the natural world. The background music does not seem to suffer from this problem. Be sure to notice Diana's theme.

The story starts out in the 18th year of our Emperor Tiberius (Ernest Thesiger.) Marcellus Gallio (Richard Burton) after snubbing Caligula is sent to an outpost from whom few have returned. There he is given the minor task of dispatching the King of the Jews in a cross manner. After the deed is done, Marcellus wins Jesus' robe and a dice game. Due to stormy weather, he places the robe upon his head. He has an instant negative reaction. Is this some strange form of sorcery? Or just plain guilt? Only time and the unfolding of the story shall tell. We shall take the journey together.

The movie based on a story by Lloyd C. Douglas, though not quite historically correct, is of choices and circumstances. The problems or their time is still the problems of our time so it is easy to relate.

"And by the gods you shall go. Both of you. Into your kingdom.", "They are going to meet their king" Caligula (Jay Robinson)

The Blu-ray DVD has a commentary by film composer David Newman (son of Alfred Newman) and film historians Jon Burlingame, July Kirgo and Nick Redman that is worth listening to.


The Robe

THE ROBE is the first film ever released in CinemaScope, a major innovation in film at the time, basically wide screen instead of a box shaped picture on the screen. It is the story of Roman Tribune Marcellus Gallio, who falls into disfavor with the Emperor and is assigned to the 'pesthole' of the Roman Empire, Palestine. He brings his personal slave, Demetrius, with him. His first assignment is to carry out the Crucifixion of a man named Jesus. Marcellus has never driven spikes thru a man's wrists and ankles before. At the Crucifixion site, he wins the robe of Jesus by throwing dice. Something about the whole experience starts to drive him mad and he is sent back to Rome to recover. He realizes he must recover the robe and get to the bottom of who is this man Jesus, called Messiah & Son of God by His followers. What happens to him as a result of this search is at the heart of the film. This film has a much broader base than just simply those who profess to follow this man who claims to have risen from the dead. It is an intriguing story and the movie, the set and the music were all excellent. The picture quality in the special edition is sharp and almost as good as today's quality (it's available in blu-ray). Fun to see Richard Burton and Richard Boone (Pilate) in their younger days. Also, the insights into life in the Roman Empire at that time are interesting. Well worth spending an evening viewing this classic. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews.

It's nice that a lot of the reviewers are commenting on the restoration of "The Robe". It certainly looks and sounds great. I think it is commendable that the first Cinemascope feature emphasized plot and character. If you don't have a great movie to go with your new technology so what. Think Cinerama, 3-D, and Sensurround. For starters the melding of fact and fiction from the time of Christ's Passion is both intelligent and moving. I can only imagine the worst cynic being unimpressed with the power of the film's message. The intensity of young Richard Burton's performance sears the screen. Burton doesn't seem as affected as a lot of young actors of his generation and his work here is almost indistinguishable from his later roles. Victor Mature, an underrated actor if there ever was one, equals Burton. A good portion of the film hinges on the conversion of Mature's character, Demetrius, and his conversion and Mature serves as a conduit to the audience the sincerity of his passion. Also not to be overlooked is Jay Robinson's take on the demented emperor, Caligula. Robinson in a small amount of screentime suggests the depravity of Caligula moreso than Malcolm McDowell did in the epic porno. "The Robe" is usually trotted out around Lent but it can most certainly be appreciated any time of year.

Version: U.S.A / Fox Cinemascope Version / Region A
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
MPEG-4 AVC BD-50 / AACS / High Profile 4.1
Running time: 2:13:31
Movie size: 34,25 GB
Disc size: 48,64 GB
Total bit rate: 34.21 Mbps
Average video bit rate: 21.69 Mbps

DTS-HD Master Audio English 3427 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3427 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Dolby Digital Audio English 448 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio English 448 kbps 4.0 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio English 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio French 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio Portuguese 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps
DTS Express English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / 16-bit
DTS Express English 96 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 96 kbps / 24-bit

Subtitles: English SDH, Mandarin, Cantonese, French, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai
Number of chapters: 20

#Introduction by Martin Scorsese (1:20)
#Audio Interview with Screenwriter (1969) (22m:23s)
#Commentary with Film Composer and Film Historians
#The Making of the Robe (3:23)
#The Music of The Robe : Isolated film score
#The CinemaScope Story featurette (18m:39s)
#From Scripture to Script: The Bible and Hollywood featurette (24m:39s)
#Vintage Celebrity Introductions by Richard Widmark, Susan Hayworth, Robert Wagner, Clifton Webb and Dan Dailey (1:35)
#Interactive Pressbook
#BonusView - picture-in-picture mode
Movietone News (6 minutes)
#Still Galleries
#Trailers / TV Spots
#Poster Gallery / Lobby Cards

Great to see this in hi-def! Fox has done a wonderful job with the transfer (the full 2.55:1 AR). There are audio commentaries, featurettes, and other goodies.

My greatest disappointment is that they did not include the "flat" version this time out. For many years, that version was the only one seen on television. The flat version was filmed alongside the CinemaScope version, with different takes and angles. Fox chose to offer a "Bonusview" Picture-in-Picture feature, which shows some talking heads interspersed with corresponding scenes from the flat version. The PIP is so small on my monitor that I really can't see any details. The positioning of the PIP is irritating as well. Anyway, the point is academic, as I doubt we'll ever have another chance to see the flat version on video. There is actually a precedent, however: Warner Home Video released 7 BRIDES FOR 7 BROTHERS in both 2.55 and 1.85 ratios on DVD for the title's second or third release in that format! I actually enjoyed seeing the flat version of that one--the set ups for some of the numbers is quite different.

Anyway, this is a great hi-def debut for this stalwart classic. Among the audio options is a new DTS 5.1 remix or the original 4-track stereo mix.

I was blown away watching "The Robe" on Blu-ray disc last night. I've never seen it like this. The richness in detail is exhilarating. The score sounds incredible, especially on Audio Channel 6 (isolated). It's long been one of my top 5 favorite scores and Fox Home Entertainment (FHE) served the film and the soundtrack very well with this massive restoration.

FHE spent the most money in this restoration on the soundtrack according to the man in charge of the project, Sean Belston, VP of Library and Technical Services for FHE, in a chat he had with Ronald Epstein of Home Theater Forum this past Monday evening. They even removed the "wow", which is something he did not go into in detail, but which is likely a costly process, but a process well worthwhile in such endeavors.

The entire score is isolated, and it has NEVER sounded better. I noted, however, that in the "Rescue of Demetrius" sequence as Marcellus and other men were preparing to burst in on the torture room, the mix wasn't what I am used to hearing and that some rather interesting string work is more sublimated. I won't be selling off my fantastic 2-CD soundtrack any time in the future, I can tell you, but there is more than enough totally exhilarating music in this isolated score to make folks VERY, VERY happy!

I noted for the first time in all my many viewings of the film that the photography is quite special -- master cinematographer Leon Shamroy did some incredible work during his career, but most folks know him as the man behind those special filters for "South Pacific". His work on many films, including "Cleopatra", is exquisite. Here, working with a brand new medium, you can see the extraordinary efforts Shamroy went to in order to "properly light" his shots, especially those where the only light sources were oil lamps or torches. When Marcellus bursts into the room in Cana where he learns Demetrius is staying, the light streaming in through the window -- the light by which Demetrius was reading -- is absolutely poetic.

"The Robe" is seldom, if ever, cited for the absolutely clever and innovative composition of images in shots through the film, but director Henry Koster FILLED his screen with highly dramatic placements of people. Some of the shots are staggeringly beautiful. The "Palm Sunday" sequence as Marcellus rides toward Jerusalem is stunning. As the procession passes Demetrius, there is this TRUE sense that Jesus is off camera and "behind us" as we look at Demetrius watching him pass. Add to that the wonderful scoring and it's an extraordinary cinematic moment. And this film is FILLED with extraordinary moments -- Marcellus' entry into the slave market, Diana's farewell to Marcellus at the docks in Ostia, the sequence where Demetrius seeks out Jesus in order to warn him of what the Romans are doing and his conversation with Judas (an unbilled Michael Ansara), the entire Crucifixion sequence (and it's extremely moving), Marcellus' madness, the arrival at Capri (stunning shot), the rescue of Demetrius, the chase and the final confrontation with Caligula in the palace are all extremely memorable and satisfying. I can think of NO CinemaScope film that used the process more dramatically or more satisfyingly (contrast it with MGM's "It's Always Fair Weather" where folks often seem lost in cavernous spaces).

Performances in this film are NOT -- repeat NOT -- under the radar, despite the common pap you read time and time again. Burton is wonderful as Marcellus, Jean Simmons is exquisite as Diana, and Victor Mature is a revelation as Demetrius. In fact, Mature probably turns in the best performance of his career in one of the better performances in this film. Not to be left out is Jay Robinson whose Caligula is one of the finest screen creations I've seen.

I have no idea what the Standard DVD of this film looks like, but I can tell you that in Blu-ray, it's heartbreakingly beautiful.

There are a slew of special features, in addition to the isolated score, but I have not yet indulged in those except for the special publicity materials.

I have to say that on the basis of the smiley-boxed "How the West Was Won" and this issue of "The Robe", my investment in Blu-ray has been MORE than worth it, both as a film lover and as a film score lover!

One would think that, with the many film to video transfers of this production,
this new transfer would be a remarkable mirror image of the Technicolor brilliance
from the 1953 print. This transfer, although sharp in image, has a toned down color
to the point where a red robe and the Roman helmet brushes are now orange. Another
fault is the "have his nose in everything cinema" introduction by the mediocre filmmaker
Martin Scorsese.
The supplement material indicates a pressbook which is actually
the souvenir program and a series of lobby cards that should have been from the
original release of the film and not the 1963 re-release. The isolated score is a special
bonus for those who were unable to acquire the Varese Sarabande CD Club 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition two disc soundtrack in 2003 and even includes the
announced recording session cues. The main titles appear to, although I have yet to make a comparison, have been made anew similar to the reworked titles of the 2004 DVD release of "Ben-Hur". The packaging container is flimsy with cut out areas, front and back, indicating the recycle fanaticism of our times and the paranoid "go green" mentality of our culture.
These comments refer to the regular DVD release and not the Blu-ray transfer.
My advice, purchase the 2001 DVD re

I can't say enough about the picture on the Blu-ray version. Seeing the actors and sets in such vibrant and crisp color and definition is just glorious and adds to the pleasurable experience of the story. Well done, Fox! I wish more of our classic films were treated to this process.

That said, I must say I was more than a little disappointed in the commentary. As a classic film fan, I like to hear about the behind-the-scenes of these films - the actors', director's and producer's antics, and so forth. I suppose it would have helped to have one of the actor's or the director's children or something to comment. However, the only thing these commentators seemed to want to talk about was Alfred Newman's scoring of the film. All respect in the world to Mr. Newman's music, but it wasn't the 'make or break' element of the film. Unless you're a student of music or a film score afficionado, you may find it as frustrating as I did. They even went off on a five-minute critique of Newman's scoring of The Diary of Anne Frank. Also, in the 'Making of' featurette, all of the principal stars of the film were profiled except Jean Simmons. Very odd. Otherwise, the other features are nice - I especially like the Fox Movietonews and the pressbook.

Overall, the entire package lost a star because of the commentary.

Unlike many religious films of the 1950s, the first CinemaScope movie, adapted from the Lloyd C. Douglas novel, does not suffer from a aura of self-importance, primarily because it has a strong dramatic story with interesting, multi-layered characters.

Richard Burton stars as the Roman centurion charged with overseeing the Crucifixion, but when he wins Christ's robe in a gambling game at the foot of the cross, he becomes "possessed".

Indeed, back in Rome, his fiance' (Jean Simmons) and the aging emperor believe that he has become mentally unbalanced and that the only cure for him is to return to Palestine, find the robe and destroy it. The outcome of this quest, however, turns out quite differently, with Burton becoming a Christian and standing against the new emperor, Caligula (a marvelous, over-the-top performance by Jay Robinson).

Henry Koster directed THE ROBE. Victor Mature and Michael Rennie co-star. Michael Ansara appears unbilled as "Judas".

Extras in the new "Special Edition" include an Introduction by Martin Scorsese, a "Making of" featurette, a short about the CinemaScope process, audio commentary by composer David Newman and film historians and much more.

© Michael B. Druxman

Dawn Addams and Michael Ansara might have been in the movie, but I don't remember them. I think a very young person has listed this movie.
Regardless, it's a great old epic biblical movie.

The Robe (1953) Starring: Richard Burton, Jean Simmons, and Directed by Henry Koster is a great movie. Roman tribune Marcellus Gallio is sent to Jerusalem and one of his jobs is to crucify Jesus Christ. He wins Jesus' robe after the crucifixion, and when he put it on it causes him to have violent outbursts. He tries to have the robe destroyed but finds his faith in the process.
If you are interested in the hope and faith that God and Jesus can only bring in this day and age, I suggest you read my book as well. It deals with Jesus' Passion down to the last detail. I think if you liked this movie you will love this book.

Fox will present The Robe on Blu-ray in its CinemaScope 2.55:1 aspect ratio with 1080p resolution and a choice between 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and 4.0 Dolby Digital audio.

Over two hours of new bonus features are exclusive to Blu-ray including a high-definition introduction by Martin Scorsese (the DVD includes the intro in standard definition). The extensive list of shared and exclusive extras is as follows.


Introduction by Martin Scorsese (HD)
Commentary with Film Composer David Newman and Film Historians Jon Burlingame, Julie Kirgo and Nick Redman
The Making of The Robe featurette
The Music of The Robe: Alfred Newman's Score isolated music track
Still Galleries
Interactive Pressbook

Vintage Celebrity Introductions by Richard Widmark, Susan Hayworth, Robert Wagner, Clifton Webb and Dan Dailey (Blu-ray exclusive)
The CinemaScope Story featurette (Blu-ray exclusive)
From Scripture to Script: The Bible and Hollywood featurette (Blu-ray exclusive)
BONUSVIEW picture-in-picture mode (Blu-ray exclusive)
The Robe Times Two: A Comparison of Widescreen and Standard Versions
A Seamless Faith: The Real-Life Search for The Robe featurettes
Inspiration
The Clothes of Christ
Clothes in Biblical Times
Clothes of a King
A Seamless Garment
The Robe on Page & Screen
The Robe and Politics
The Robe in Our World
The Robe in France & Russia
History vs. Drama
Audio Interview with Screenwriter Philip Dunne (1969) (Blu-ray exclusive)
Movietone News (Blu-ray exclusive)
CinemaScope Hailed by Public and Press
Broadway Hails The Robe in CinemaScope
The Robe (Christian Herald Award)
Millionth Patron Sees The Robe
CinemaScope and The Robe Win Oscars
Trailers / TV Spots (Blu-ray exclusive)
Poster Gallery / Lobby Cards (Blu-ray exclusive

Virtually all of Fox's DVD releases are both eargerly awaited and very professionally produced. Seriously.

However, after producing several separate less-than-pristine quality releases on DVD over recent years both here as well as overseas Countries (also the earlier US Laserdisk that was not full width anyway - i.e. 2.55:1 when it was less than 2.35:1 on the disk) and none with any extras except re-release trailers, one would expect or at least pray, that Twentieth Century Fox would now, wery belatedly, pull out all of its guns for a major long-awaited restored version of its initial timeless CINEMASCOPE production.
Very bad news indeed for Worldwide fans of this major film from the beginnig of the "Modern" Widescreen age!
And why, please, are all the extras not on both the normal as well as the BluRay versions.
Do we have to purchase a new machine just to access everything being released on the BluRay disc???
I GUESS WE DO!!!
The restored version of THE ROBE deserved a Two Disc release including both Wide and Flat versions of the film, as well as repros on the disc of Lobby Cards, Photos, Posters, Campaign Book as well as the mooted Extras.

A Commentary or some involvement by the wonderful Jean Simmons would be priceless too.

THE ROBE was a Landmark film in 1953. And FOX's biggest earner ever at that time.

I for one would be more than happy to pay an inflated price for a relevant release.

Eric GLASBY Australia

The Robe (1953) Starring: Richard Burton is a great movie. Roman tribune Marcellus Gallio is sent to Jerusalem and one of his jobs is to crucify Jesus Christ. He wins Jesus' robe and when he put it on it causes him to have violent outbursts. He tries to have the robe destroyed but finds his faith in the process.
If you are interested in the hope and faith that God and Jesus can only bring in this day and age, I suggest you read a great book entitled "The Enlightenment, What God Told Me After One Million Prayers: A Message for Everyone," by John H. Eagan. It brought me to tears. It's great and deals with Jesus' Passion. I think if you liked this movie you will love this book.

Actually, the cast listed for this Blu-Ray release is correct. It's just that they're all minor characters. Dawn Addams playes Junia, who I believe was Marcellus' sister, Leon Askin plays Abador, and I can't remember who that is, and Ben A. Asker plays a character whose name I forgot to write down. Check out IMDB for the full cast list of this wonderful film. I don't for the life of me understand why Amazon listed the cast like this, but they seemed to have done the same thing for the upcoming release of the Blu-Ray "South Pacific." I didn't do research but remember Archie Savage as playing the lead dancer in the Boar's Tooth ceremony. Strange, huh?

From what i been reading about this is the extras are very few,most are on the blu-ray disc. The dvd and the blu-ray disc does not have the flat version on it as they originally announced. The blu-ray disc only has a comparison of the cinemascope and the flat version.
Very dissapointed about it. I will still buy the dvd since this is my favorate movie.

DENNIS CANNON
Brookly N.Y.

Not one of the best Biblical pictures that I have seen thus far. Not really much of a decent storyline. The acting was not up to par and could have had better dramtics than was shown in the movie. However what can you expect with a picture after seeing dramatic special effects these days.

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:

This product arrived faulty and I have not been able to contact Amazon to make a complaint. I will not buy from Amazon again until this matter has been addressed satisfactorily.I cannot review what cannot be watched due to glitches in the DVD.
\

Very dissappointed, ordered this DVD twice but unfortunatley it is not available in region 4 or multi region, so cannot view this DVD to give a review.

If you have read the book entitled "The Robe," you will be sorely disappointed in the movie. Lloyd Douglas, the author of the book, is perhaps one of the "greats" when it comes to writing religious historical fiction. The movie was nowhere near the book in terms of character development, plot, or climax. 90% of the movie was untrue to the book. I read another review which said that Mr. Douglas was so disappointed in the production of the film version that he refused to give Hollywood the rights to his next novel "The Big Fisherman." (It was turned into a film after his death.) He also promised to not write another book due to his diappointment of the film version of "The Robe." Now, thats, disappointment!

There really isn't enough character development in the film to keep you interested in the plot. You don't care about the people, and therefore don't care about what happens to them.

The one highlight in the film was the artistic interpretation of the very last scene. If the number 10 were an outstanding movie, this would get a rating of a -1. I'm not sure how it got so many nominations for the academy awards.

DVD arrived earlier than expected and in good condition. This is one of the classics and I love it.

Thank you

I had read the book years ago and wanted to see the movie. Richard Burton is outstanding.

An excellent moving picture. Is also historical, thought provoking, and biblical. One of my favorites.

Richard Burton and Jean Simmons. Wow, what a combination. This is a wonderful movie. I'm not that fond of the ending, but you can't except to know what Heaven holds for any of us. Enjoy.

Ordered THE ROBE DVD for Easter viewing, it was delivered quickly, to my complete satisfaction. Amazon is allways my first choice for anything I want.

Well after reading the Book this movie only possibly followed the ending. its really sad too because the book is so fabulous. My teenager and I both read the Robe...and we both were totally engrossed in the book. Rented the movie and we were so disgusted! The only people who could really watch it were my daughters who did not read the book. So I guess if you want to be entertained and you can get past the biblical inaccuracy of the way they portray Peter. (I mean who doesnt know the recordings in the Gospels of his denial??) then you may like it. Id say though if you really want a good story get the book!

I host a "Classic Movie Night" once a week and invite friends of mine over to watch various influential, critically acclaimed, and/or "great" movies of yesterday. With its 5 Academy Award nominations, 2 wins, and a Golden Globe for Best Picture, along with it being the first "Widescreen" movie ever released, this seemed a pretty good choice for Easter Weekend.

I remember picking this up from the local library as a child and being enthralled, completely convinced that it was an accurate representation of what 1st century Christians were going through. Now I'm a little bit older, and a little bit wiser, and while the rest of my friends found the movie laughably enjoyable in a campy sort of way, I still feel the movie tugging at my heart in certain areas.

There are parts were Marcellus' descent into madness seems more like bad acting, but Burton still gets across the guilt and shame he feels at murdering an otherwise innocent man. I love the fact that the movie did not attempt to depict Christ himself, (His face is kept just off-camera), as the story follows His effects on others rather than on Jesus himself.

I consider myself more of a "Classic Film Buff" than some of the other twenty-somethings that come over, so the over-the-top acting doesn't really strike me as peculiar. If you are used to standard amount of over-acting in other similar films, (such as anything with Charlton Heston in it), then I don't think you will be bothered by it.

The religious motifs are not historically based, but are at their heart correct. At one point, a wise old man Justus is telling Marcellus about a woman who was paralyzed, and whose sickness made her angry and bitter at everyone around her. When Jesus came through the town, He healed many of their sick and lame. Marcellus looks at the woman, who is still paralyzed, but now singing a joyful song of hope, he asks Justus, "Why didn't Jesus heal her?" Justus responds, "He did."

It is for moments like that I can see the heart of The Robe, and it touches my own heart. It might not be everyone's cup of tea, it might not even be all that great of a movie, but it is good enough for an enjoyable evening, and an inspiring story.