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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

The Robe BlogHub Articles:

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

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

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

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

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
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.

Richard Burton hated making the film so much that he turned down a studio contract from 20th Century Fox. He was amazed to receive an Oscar nomination after critics had almost universally described his performance as "wooden".

The set of Cana, the village of Galilea where Marcellus Gallio meets Peter, will be used in Demetrius and the Gladiators, the sequel of this movie as the Christian neighborhood in Rome where Demetrius lives in the beginning of the movie. We can easily recognize the well with old broken columns.

It is the first motion picture (and Best Picture Academy Award nominee) in CinemaScope.

This film contains approximately 517 transitions (edits, dissolves etc) in about 131 minutes of action. This equates to an average shot length of about 15 seconds.

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