5/5 "The Great Stone Was Rolled Away"
  by Brian E. Erland (CA - USA)
Before movie blockbusters like Ben-Hur awed the film going audience with amazing chariot races in '59, or 'The Ten Commandments' miraculously parted the Red Sea in '56, the 'The Robe' won over the Christian audience in '53 with a poignant though fictitious appendium to the story of Jesus of Nazareth. It may not have been quite as grand in scale as the two epics to follow, but it was every bit as attractive and compelling.

Plot: Marcellus Gallio (Richard Burton), a Roman tribune from a weathy and prominent Roman family is sent to serve in far away Jerusalem after an altercation with Caligula (Jay Robinson), the future emperor. While in the Holy Land Marcellus' last official act before returning home is to oversea the crucifixion of Jesus. While Jesus slowly dies on the cross Marcellus plays a game of dice with the soldiers, wining the robe of the would be Messiah in the process. Moments later Jesus dies, the sky darkens, thunder strikes and a downpour begins.

Marcellus' slave Demetrius (Victor Mature) leaves the tribune, taking the robe with him to return to the Christian community and Marcellus returns to Rome a vastly different man. Emotional disturbed by the experience of Jesus' crucifixion he is on the verge of a complete mental breakdown. Is there power in the robe, maybe a curse placed on it by this man who called himself Messiah? For the sake of his sanity Marcellus returns to the site of his obsession to recover the robe and discern the source of its hold on him.

Comments: I love everything about this film. Burton and Mature are at their best, Burton's love interest Jean Simmons (Diana) has never looked lovelier and Jay Robinson in the role of Emperor Caligula gives one of the greatest supporting performances that has ever graced the movie screen.

4/5 "The Robe" Is A Great Biblical Epic For The Easter Holidays!
  by J. B. Hoyos (Chesapeake, VA)
"The Robe" is a great movie to watch during the Easter holidays. It depicts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ from the viewpoint of the Roman centurion, Tribune Marcellus Gallio, who casts die for Christ's robe. Marcellus wins the red robe; he is later convinced that a curse placed upon the robe has stricken him with bouts of insanity. In order to break the curse, he must destroy it. He travels in search of his slave/manservant Demetrius who, after witnessing the crucifixion, ran away with the robe. Marcellus finds Demetrius, a Christian convert, in Cana and is emotionally touched by the Christians living time.

True, "The Robe" is not Biblically accurate as some reviewers have complained, but neither is the classic "King of Kings" and the modern "Passion of the Christ." However, it is a touching, emotional story of the influence that Jesus had on his followers after His resurrection. Several scenes made me teary eyed. I am proud to own it in my DVD library You will too if you are a fan of classics, Biblical epics, peplum, or any of the great actors who are in it such as Richard Burton, Jean Simmons, and Victor Mature.

Considering that this romantic action was released in 1953, the restoration is great though some reviewers have complained about the picture quality. I must admit I was surprised at the DVD's lack of extras. However, it was well worth the money I paid.

A sequel, "Demetrius and the Gladiators," was released in 1954 and I can't wait to watch it.


4/5 A Classic That May Show Its Age, But It's Still An Enjoyable Film
  by Timothy Kearney (Hull, MA United States)
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.


1/5 Historically inaccurate film about early Christianity
  by Thomas Zabiega
"The Robe" is a movie I would not recommend purchasing or watching whether you are wanting to see it because of the Christian theme or because you love good, classical films. From a historical standpoint, this movie is almost entirely false. It portrays the persecution of early Christians as being led by Rome and especially by the Emperor Caligula. Unlike Mel Gibson in his "Passion of the Christ," this movie does not show the complex relationships that led to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It basically simplifies the issue by making it seem that all persecution of Jesus and the Christians came from the Romans. This of course is in opposition to the Acts of the Apostles which showed that the initial persecution was from the Sanhedrin and those loyal to it such as Saul (later Saint Paul). The Roman emperors did not bother much with Christians until the Emperor Nero (who succeeded Tiberius, Caligula and Claudius). The Emperors Tiberius and Caligula were wicked and depraved human beings, but they did not persecute Christians. That is a historical fact.

Film-wise this movie is boring and poorly acted. Yes, there is Richard Burton, but he cannot save the movie from bad directing and simply a horrible script. I love classical movies, but I had trouble finishing this movie without falling asleep.

1/5 Great movie - lousie picture
  by Henri Bronsgeest (Nevada)
I do not understand why 20th Century would put out this DVD. Th Robe was the first released CinemaScope movie. I remember sitting in the theater and being in awe of the widescreen picture. So, why doesn't 20th Century Fox restore this movie. This DVD is terrible. The sky looks like many more stars due to all the drop-outs in the film. The picture is fuzzy, the sound distorted. They must have a better print in their vaults.

I'm only speaking of this edition. I have not seen any other ones.