Passion of Film's Past

The Robe

1953

D: Henry Koster

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         This forgotten classic is from a time when Hollywood consistently made Christian-themed movies as blockbusters.  Often these would be re-tellings of Biblical stories, and sometimes they would be creative spin-offs inspired by Biblical figures.  The latter displayed creativity in the context of a Christian society.  The Robe is also significant for being the first major movie released in CinemaScope.

          The story revolves around a Roman tribune named Marcellus Gallio (Richard Burton), who wins an auction against long-standing rival Caligula (a wonderfully scene-chewing Jay Robinson) and obtains Demetrius (Victor Mature) as a servant.  The tension is exacerbated by an encounter with Diana (Jean Simmons), Gallio’s childhood crush who is currently betrothed to Caligula.  Caligula responds to the loss by assigning Gallio to Jerusalem, a humiliating post. 

           While there, Demetrius is enamored by the arrival of Jesus (Cameron Mitchell) and attempts to warn him of a plot to kill him.  He momentarily encounters a depressed man (Michael Ansara) who is clearly meant to be Judas.  The man's identity is effectively conveyed with a well-framed shot in which the use of color draws the eye to a twisted tree outside a portal that Judas will inevitably hang himself from.  Unfortunately, the subtlety is needlessly ruined by Demetrius’ asking his name and Judas responding with “i’M jUDaS!” with a cheesy scare chord.  Good cinematography by Leon Shamroy gone to waste, right there. 

         Demetrius pleads for Jesus’ life when He is captured, but Pontius Pilate (Richard Boone) has already made his decision and orders Gallio to conduct the Crucifixion.  Gallio wins Jesus’ robe in the dice match, but it causes him physical pain to the touch.  Demetrius calls him out on his cowardice and abandons him, taking the robe.  Gallio returns to Italy, but is haunted by nightmares.  A medium tells him that he must destroy the robe to rid himself of them.

        Upon entering Cana, Gallio encounters a group of Christians strong in their faith despite their hardships.  He meets the charismatic Justus (Dean Jagger) and Peter (Michael Rennie).  In a very amusing scene, Justus tells a crowd an account of the Passion in which he claims that Peter never wavered in his courage.  Peter is tries to correct this, but backs down shyly when Justus tells him not to interrupt his speech.  Justus is then immediately put down by Roman archers. 

        Gallio confesses his guilt and becomes a Christian.  He is condemned by Caligula as a traitor for not worshipping the Emperor, and hijinks ensue involving imprisonments, daring escapes, and a clandestine healing of Demetrius by Peter. At his trial Diana defies Caligula and joins Gallio as they march together to their inevitable execution.  True love. 

        The Robe is a movie definitely worth watching, and a relic of when Cinema utilized its best and brightest for religion, and as such the writing reflects the insight on the inevitability of Christ and the fear it inspires in secular authorities. The acting is solid, and Jay Robinson is extremely entertaining as a fragile, megalomaniacal villain.  Richard Boone in his short, memorable scene captures the world-weary nature that is appropriate for Pilate.  Peter’s apprehensiveness in the Bible is faithfully depicted here as well.  The movie’s also revolving around a second-class relic is a plus.  The cast includes Torin Thatcher, Betta St. John, Jeff Morrow, Ernest Thesiger, Dawn Addams, Leon Askin, and a young Harry Shearer