Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #37576 in DVD
• Released on: 2002-03-04
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 128 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
The Robe was designed by 20th Century-Fox to show off the wonders of CinemaScope, and taken simply as a vehicle for widescreen photography the movie is undeniably a visual treat. Perhaps the clumsy early 'Scope cameras were partly to blame, but from any other perspective--plot, dialogue and acting--The Robe is a flat, overly reverential and turgid piece of film making. Richard Burton is the Roman Centurion on duty at Christ's crucifixion who bets on and wins Jesus' robe, then spends the rest of the movie agonising about becoming a Christian. Victor Mature is his sanctimonious slave Demetrius. So confident were the producers of box-office success that they commissioned the sequel, Demetrius and the Gladiators, even before The Robe had been released. --Mark Walker

Special Features
16:9 Wide Screen
English
Region 2

Synopsis
THE ROBE is one of the finest Biblical epics of all time, based on a best-selling novel by Lloyd C. Douglas. The film tells the story of a Roman, played by Richard Burton, who was in charge of the Crucifixion of Christ and who later is converted to Christianity. This was the first movie to be filmed in CinemaScope. THE ROBE received four Academy Award Nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor--Richard Burton.

Customer Reviews

"as for me, I have found another king"
A marvelous epic melodrama, with portions that are emotionally stirring,and with two exceedingly attractive stars, this film ranks high in the"sword and sandals" genre.
This is prime-time Richard Burton, at age27, heavenly to look at and even better to listen to; his crispenunciation makes the English language shine, and though some of hisscenes are a little "over the top", he carries them off with charismaticpresence. Jean Simmons is exquisite as Diana, the woman who has lovedMarcellus (Burton) since childhood, and their screen romance has a raredepth and spark.
Other notable performances come from Victor Mature asDemetrius the slave, with a mute but moving scene at Christ's crucifixion,and Michael Rennie is grand as Peter. Jay Robinson is wonderfully rottenas the vicious Caligula.
I always like a good fight sequence, and there is a brilliantlychoreographed one between Marcellus and a centurion. It is the kind ofswordplay great Shakespearean actors have perfected, and it is a delightto watch.
Directed by Henry Koster, it has an exceptional score byAlfred Newman, and vibrant Technicolor cinematography by Leon Shamroy. Ilike the way the night scenes have a deep blue glow to them, and thecostumes are wonderful. Oscars went to Best Art Direction/Set Design(color) and Best Costume design (color). It was also nominated for BestPicture, Best Actor, and Best Cinematography (color), and was the firstfilm to be released in CinemaScope.
I saw this film many years ago, and had thought it a little silly, but wehave both aged well; I can now watch it repeatedly, and appreciate thedepictions of courage, and the beauty and humanity of it. Total runningtime is 2 hours and 13 minutes.

Redemption Enrobed in Staid Script
In a film slowly becoming dated and due for a remake, we are told the story of a man's struggle to reconcile his guilt with his doubt, and his doubt with the persuasive faith of those he meets. Can a broken man be redeemed?

When watching newer movies, like Mel Gibson's "The Passion," it is easy to forget that it is movies like "The Robe" set the stage, and motivates modern moviemaker to bring in realism.

With Jesus Christ's death and resurrection in the backdrop, with a Roman Catholic-esque tone, Marcellus grapples with the reality of spiritual power. He believes it is in the robe Christ wore, but he quickly learns the robe is nothing. He feels angst and anguish when he touches it.

He meets Judas Iscariot, Simon Peter, Miriam and unnamed disciples. Like "The Mission," this movie is filled with complex characters, less wooden than first glance might lead a viewer to believe.

As guilty as any man could be of Christ's crucifixion, Marcellus knows the passion of his emptiness. He sets to find out what it is that is freeing Christians from circumstances beyond reason, like the joy one woman has despite her paralysis. Why do the Christians continue on, even though they face persecution?

The messages in the movie are more than Judeo-Christian. Hollywood blacklists come to mind as people are commanded under duress to give up names of followers. Living life with and for a purpose, and knowing what we really believe is encouraged. We are shown humility, desire for freedom and messages against bigotry and greed.

As a concept, the story has potential. The plot is strong, but falters in script form. Even the great Richard Burton is denied the opportunity to win an Oscar with dramatic sequences that only whisper could've been more boldly written. The sets may be award winning in their day, but now, we can see the painted stage walls that are meant to seem like a city.

I recommend "The Robe," with hopes that it will inspire a great filmmaker to pick up the script, rewrite it and show us what could be.

Anthony Trendl

Good Christian Viewing
Nowadays with so many 'Hollywood' ideas about Christ, it is good to watch such a refreshing movie that is down the line and true to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus. It is similar to that of Ben Hur in that you only ever see the back of Christ and hear his voice, which has so much more of an impact than the general 'theatrical' view of the saviour.