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The Robe Overview:

The Robe (1953) was a Drama - Epic Film directed by Henry Koster and produced by Frank Ross.

Academy Awards 1953 --- Ceremony Number 26 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActorRichard BurtonNominated
Best Art DirectionArt Direction: Lyle Wheeler, George W. Davis; Set Decoration: Walter M. Scott, Paul S. FoxWon
Best CinematographyLeon ShamroyNominated
Best Costume DesignCharles LeMaire, Emile SantiagoWon
Best PictureFrank Ross, ProducerNominated
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The Robe BlogHub Articles:

The Robe ( 1953 ) - A Behind-the-Scenes Snapshot

By The Metzinger Sisters on Apr 8, 2023 From Silver Scenes - A Blog for Classic Film Lovers

Tonight, the Movies! channel will be airing The Robe at 8pm EST, so we couldn't resist posting this behind-the-scenes photo taken during the crucifixion scene of The Robe. This scene should have been filmed out-of-doors but perhaps the director thought they could control the lighting better within t... Read full article

THE ROBERT DONAT BLOGATHON: The 39 Steps, 1935

on Jul 3, 2020 From Caftan Woman

Maddy Loves Her Classic Films is hosting The Robert Donat Blogathon on July 3 - 5. Click HERE to join in the admiration for the fondly remembered actor. Robert Donat was an actor of great commitment and versatility. Over 25 years, Donat appeared in 20 movies, winning an Oscar for Goodbye, Mr.... Read full article

People you probably didn’t know were in The Robe

By Tom on Sep 11, 2014 From The Old Movie House

Habits, we all have them. Sometimes it’s watching a particular film at Christmas time. Or maybe it’s watching a certain number of films at Easter. For me I’ve watched The Ten Commandments every year since I was 12. Sometimes it was with beer and pizza, but most of the time it was ... Read full article

The Robe

By Alyson on Apr 26, 2011 From The Best Picture Project

The Robe in an epic set in ancientRomein the time of Christ.  Marcellus Gallio (Richard Burton) is a Roman military tribune who is in charge of the men crucifying Jesus.  While he and other Romans are gambling and drinking behind the cross, a red robe worn by Jesus is wagered and won by Marcellus.... Read full article

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The Robe Quotes:

Emperor Tiberius: After forty years with Julia, my approaching death holds few terrors for me.
Emperor Tiberius: Tribune Gallio, you are a Roman officer. I command you to gain control over yourself.
Diana: Are you still ill?
Marcellus Gallio: No, I'm well. Really well, for the first time in my life.
Peter: Let me tell you of the burden I bear. Justus told the others I was steadfast. He didn't know. The night Jesus needed me most, I denied him... not once... but 3 times. I swore I never knew him. Now...
Marcellus Gallio: [stammering, pointing to himself] I... crucified him.
Peter: I know. Demetrius told me.
Marcellus Gallio: [shocked] And you can forgive me?
Peter: He forgave you from the cross. Can I do less? Now, is there anything stopping you? Can you become one of us?
Marcellus Gallio: [new strength in his voice] From this day forward, I am enlisted in His service. I offer Him my fortune, my sword, and my life. And this I pledge to you on my honor as a Roman.
Judas: Why must men doubt? Tell them they must keep faith! They must keep faith!
[walking away]
Demetrius: Wait, tell who? Who are you?
Judas: My name is Judas.
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The Robe Facts
The film rights to this film had originally been bought by RKO Radio Pictures in the 1940s. The studio never filmed it, eventually selling the rights to Twentieth-Century Fox.
The opening shot after the title credits (and the background 'red robe' curtain parts) is actually a scene lifted from its sequel, Demetrius and the Gladiators. That's Jay Robinson as Caligula presiding over the ceremony preceding the gladiatorial games; William Marshall as Glycon in the front row of gladiators, far right; Victor Mature as Demetrius standing directly behind him, and Ernest Borgnine as Strabo who is leading the gladiatorial procession.
It is the first motion picture (and Best Picture Academy Award nominee) in CinemaScope.
Director Henry Koster chose his Second Assistant Director Donald C. Klune to play the role of Jesus in the film. Klute would thus sign all the extras' vouchers and finish the paperwork while still in costume. He also had to eat lunch in his dressing room, as the studio thought it would be inappropriate for "Jesus" to eat in the commissary at Fox.
Burt Lancaster was originally cast in the role played by Victor Mature.
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