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The Robe
1953 135 min United States of America 12+
★6.8
Drama, History
Director: Henry Koster
🎭 Based on
«The Robe»
byLloyd C. Douglas
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
Drunk and disillusioned Roman, Marcellus Gallio, wins Jesus' robe in a dice game after the crucifixion. Marcellus has never been a man of faith like his slave, Demetrius, but when Demetrius escapes with the robe, Marcellus experiences disturbing visions and feels guilty for his actions. Convinced that destroying the robe will cure him, Marcellus sets out to find Demetrius — and discovers his Christian faith along the way.
Budget:
$4.35M
US Gross:
$36M
Worldwide:
$36M
Starring
Richard Burton
Actor
Jean Simmons
Actor
Victor Mature
Actor
Awards
Golden Globe 1954
— Best Picture (Drama)
Academy Awards 1954
— Best Production Design (Color)
Academy Awards 1954
— Best Costume Design (Color)
Academy Awards 1954
— Best Costume Design (Color)
Academy Awards 1954
— Best Picture
Academy Awards 1954
— Best Actor
Key opinion
The Robe is historically significant as a pioneer of the CinemaScope era, featuring grand production values that set the standard for later biblical epics. However, the film is widely criticized for its overbearing script, lethargic pacing, and a sentimental tone that has failed to age well for modern audiences.
| Production | The film’s lavish production design and historical costumes remain an undisputed technical achievement, rightfully earning major industry accolades. | |
| Screenplay | The script suffers from a stodgy and overbearing quality, relying on shallow storytelling that fails to treat its central religious themes with necessary depth. | |
| Pacing | The film’s historical importance as the first CinemaScope production is overshadowed by its inability to maintain narrative momentum, leaving it feeling ponderous and lethargic. | |
| Acting | Performances from the lead cast are hampered by technical limitations and a lack of depth in the material, failing to showcase the actors' true capabilities. | |
| Score | The musical score is polarizing, with some viewers finding Alfred Newman's work a highlight of the film's production, while others dismiss it as part of the overall overbearing aesthetic. |