Wikipedia

The Robe(film)

The Robeis a 1953 American fictionalBiblicalepic filmthat tells the story of aRomanmilitary tribunewho commands the unit that is responsible for thecrucifixion of Jesus.The film was released by20th Century Foxand was the first film released in thewidescreenprocessCinemaScope.[4]Like other early CinemaScope films,The Robewas shot withHenri Chrétien's original Hypergonaranamorphiclenses.

The Robe
Theatrical release poster
Directed byHenry Koster
Screenplay by
Based onThe Robe
byLloyd C. Douglas
Produced byFrank Ross
Starring
CinematographyLeon Shamroy
Edited byBarbara McLean
Music byAlfred Newman
Color processTechnicolor
Distributed by20th Century Fox
Release dates
  • September 16, 1953(1953-09-16)(Premiere)
  • September 17, 1953(1953-09-17)(New York City opening)
Running time
135 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$4.1 million[1]– $4.6 million[2]
Box office$36 million (United States)[3]

The film was directed byHenry Kosterand produced byFrank Ross.The screenplay was adapted fromLloyd C. Douglas's1942 novelbyGina Kaus,Albert Maltz,andPhilip Dunne—although Maltz's place among theblacklistedHollywood 10led to his being denied his writing credit for many years. The score was composed byAlfred Newman,and the cinematography was byLeon Shamroy.The film starsRichard Burton,Jean Simmons,Victor MatureandMichael Rennie,and co-starsJay Robinson,Dean Jagger,Torin Thatcher,Richard Boone,Betta St. John,Jeff Morrow,Ernest Thesiger,and others.

A sequel,Demetrius and the Gladiators(1954), continues from whereThe Robeends.[5]

Plot

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On the way to a slave auction, Marcellus Gallio, a Romanmilitary tribuneandsenator's son, helps recapture Demetrius, a defiant Greek slave. At the auction site, Marcellus is reunited with Diana, his childhood love, who is now a ward of EmperorTiberiusand has been pledged in marriage to the regentCaligula.Marcellus has a longstanding feud with Caligula, and he outbids Caligula for Demetrius, who does not attempt to escape again, as he feels honor-bound to Marcellus. Demetrius becomes Marcellus' personal servant.

That evening, Caligula vengefully transfers Marcellus to far-flungJerusalem.Diana goes to the port to say she will appeal to Tiberius on Marcellus' behalf, and the pair pledge their love and reaffirm their youthful promise to marry one day.

Accompanied by Demetrius and thecenturionPaulus, Marcellus arrives in Jerusalem on the same day thatJesus,who is being hailed as the Messiah,enters the city.Demetrius feels compelled to follow Jesus and later attempts to warn him ofa plot against him,buta distraught mantells Demetrius that Jesus has already been arrested.

Pontius Pilate,the governor ofJudaea,informs Marcellus that he has been recalled by order of Tiberius, and gives Marcellus his last task, which is to handle the execution of three criminals—one of whom is Jesus. Marcellus wins Jesus'robefrom Paulus in a dice game onCalvary,but when he uses it to shield himself from rain, he feels a sudden, intense pain. Grabbing the robe, Demetrius denounces Marcellus and the Roman Empire and frees himself, leaving a mentally unstable Marcellus, who is haunted by nightmares of the crucifixion, to report to Tiberius atCaprialone. The emperor's soothsayer says the robe must be cursed, so Tiberius gives Marcellus an imperial commission to find and destroy the robe, as well as identify the followers of Jesus. At Diana's request, Tiberius leaves her free to marry Marcellus once he has successfully completed his mission.

Marcellus eventually makes his way toCana,whose inhabitants experienced Jesus' miracles and believe he rose from the dead. Learning from Justus, a kind weaver, that Demetrius is in the town, Marcellus confronts his former slave at an inn. Demetrius says the robe has no real power, and it is Marcellus' guilt over killing Jesus that is causing his illness. When Marcellus tries to destroy the robe anyway, he is overcome, and finds himself healed.

Pilate having ordered the arrest of all of the Christian "fanatics", Paulus sneaks into Cana with his troops. After Justus is killed by a surprise arrow, Marcellus manages to halt the attack, but Paulus informs him that Caligula has succeeded Tiberius as emperor, so Marcellus' commission is no longer valid. Paulus initially refuses Marcellus' order to leave the town, but he complies after Marcellus beats him in a duel. Jesus'apostlePeterinvites Marcellus to join Demetrius and him as missionaries, and, after confessing his role in Jesus' death, Marcellus pledges his life to Jesus.

When Peter's missionary group comes to Rome, Demetrius is captured and tortured for information. Caligula asks Diana if she has heard from Marcellus, and, as she has not, tells her of Marcellus' involvement with the Christians. The Gallios' slave Marcipor, who is secretly a Christian, shows Diana where Marcellus is hiding, shortly before Marcellus leads a raid to rescue Demetrius. Demetrius is brought to the house of Senator Gallio, where Peter miraculously heals his grievous wounds. Marcellus and Demetrius attempt to flee the city, but horsemen dispatched by Caligula pick up their trail, and Marcellus gives himself up so Demetrius can escape.

At his trial, Marcellus admits to being a follower of Jesus, but denies that the Christians are plotting against Rome. He is condemned to death, unless he renews his tribune's oath of loyalty to the emperor and renounces his allegiance to Jesus; while he does the former, he refuses to do the latter. Diana stands with Marcellus and denounces Caligula, who declares that the couple will die together. As they depart the courtroom, Diana hands Jesus' robe to Marcipor, telling him to give it to Peter. Marcellus and Diana are led away to begin eternal life together inthe kingdom of their true king.

Cast

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Historical inaccuracies

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Despite the careful attention to Roman history and culture displayed in the film, there are some inaccuracies. For example, in reality, Emperor Tiberius' wife,Julia,who had been banished from Rome by her fatherAugustusyears before Tiberius acceded to the imperial throne, was already dead at the time of Jesus' crucifixion.

Also, Caligula did not systematically persecute Christians, as depicted in the film. The first persecution of Christians organized by the Roman government was under the emperorNeroin 64 AD after theGreat Fire of Romeand took place entirely within the city of Rome.

Background and production

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In 1942, producerFrank Rossacquired the rights to Douglas' novel—before it was completed—for $100,000.[7][8]Development of the film began atRKOin the 1940s, withMervyn LeRoyset to direct,[9]but the rights were eventually sold toTwentieth Century-Foxfor $300,000, plus $650,000 from future profits;[8]Ross received $40,000, plus 20% of the profits.[8]

Jeff Chandlerwas originally announced for the role of Demetrius.[10]Victor Maturesigned in December 1952[11]to make bothThe Robeanda sequel about Demetrius.[12]John Buckmastertested for the role of Caligula.[13]Jean Peterswas originally cast as Diana, but she became pregnant, and was replaced byJean Simmons.Interestingly, the film's poster, which had already been designed, was not changed, and, therefore, shows the wrong "Jean" between the likenesses of Burton and Mature.[14]

Filming finished on April 30, 1953, two weeks ahead of schedule.[15]Since many theaters were not equipped to screen films shot in the newCinemaScopeprocess, each scene ofThe Robewas shot both with and without CinemaScope'sanamorphic lenses,resulting in there being two versions of the film: a "scope" version, and a "flat" version. Setups and some dialogue differ between the versions, as the takes for each process were filmed back-to-back, rather than simultaneously.[16][17]For decades, the flat version of the film was the one typically shown on television, as its 1.33:1aspect ratiowould fill the then-standard television screens.American Movie Classicsmay have been the first channel to broadcast the scope version of the film. Recent DVDs and Blu-ray discs of the film present it in the 2.55:1 widescreen format, and also feature the original multitrack stereophonic soundtrack.

The film was advertised as "The modern miracle you see without glasses!", a dig at the3D filmsof the day.

Preservation

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TheAcademy Film ArchivepreservedThe Robein 2008.[18]

Release

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The Robewas due to open atRadio City Music Hallin New York City, but the Hall would not drop its stage show for the film's planned run, so the film premiered, instead, at theRoxy Theatrein New York City on September 16, 1953.[19]It opened to the public at the Roxy the following day.

First telecast

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ABCpaid a record $2 million to screen the film on television in the United States four times.[20]Sponsored byFord,The Robewas first telecast on Sunday, March 26, 1967 (Easter), at the relatively early hour of 7:00 P.M.,EST,to allow for family viewing. It was shown with only one commercial break, a luxury not even granted to the then-annual telecasts ofThe Wizard of Oz(1939),[21]and received aNielsen ratingof 31.0 and an audience share of 53%,[22]which translated to 60 million viewers, the second largest TV audience for a film, behindThe Bridge on the River Kwai(1957).[20]

Home media

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The film was released on VHS and DVD on October 16, 2001.[23]It was released on Blu-ray on March 17, 2009.[24]

Soundtrack

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When the film's original soundtrack album was issued on LP byDecca Records,it featured a monaural remix of the score, rather than the stereo sound that was originally recorded.[citation needed]MCA,which acquired the rights to the American Decca recordings, later issued an electronic stereo version of the mono tape.[citation needed]In 2003,Varèse Sarabandereleased a two-CD set of the film's original stereophonic score on its club label.

RCA Victorincluded a suite from the film—recorded in Dolby surround sound—on its 1973 albumCaptain from Castile,which honored the film's composer, longtime Fox musical directorAlfred Newman.Charles Gerhardtconducted London's National Philharmonic Chorus for the recording.[citation needed]

Reception

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Box office

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The Robeset a record one-day gross (for a single theatre) of $36,000 at the Roxy,[25]on its way to a record one-week gross (for a single theatre)[26]of $264,427.[27]In its second week of release, it expanded to Los Angeles, Chicago, and Philadelphia and grossed $490,000, placing it atnumber one at the US box office,setting box office records at each location; it more than doubled the previous record atGrauman's Chinese Theatrein LA, with a gross of $80,000.[28][29]The film gradually expanded to 44 locations by the end of October, and it remained number one at the box office for nine straight weeks.[30][31]Its fourth week of release,Varietyreported that the film had a weekly gross of $1,026,000 from 16 cities that it sampled, a record gross for a week.[32]

The film earned an estimated $17.5 million intheatrical rentalsin the United States and Canada during its initial theatrical release.[33]Its worldwide rentals were estimated at $32 million.[34][35]

Critical reception

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Critical reaction of the film and CinemaScope following the premiere in New York was generally favorable.[36]In his review of the film, Frank Quinn of theNew York Daily Mirrorcalled CinemaScope "a new realistic and phenomenal concept of the art of motion picture production."[36]Kate Cameron of theNew York Daily Newsclaimed, in an eight-star review (four stars for the film and four for CinemaScope), that "any picture projected on a flat screen...is going to seem dull" afterThe Robe.[36]Varietywrote: "It is a 'big' picture in every sense of the word. One magnificent scene after another, under the anamorphic technique, unveils the splendor that was Rome and the turbulence that was Jerusalem at the time of Christ on Calvary."[37]Bosley CrowtherofThe New York Timeswas more critical, writing: "The human drama of this story of Christian conversion occurs amid sumptuous and scenic surroundings and are mighty impressive to see. But the mightiness of surroundings—the spectacle of settings and costumes—is meaningful only in relation to the story that is being told. And the story in this instance is not spectacular, so that the amplitude of its surroundings does not enhance its scope."[38]

Edwin Schallert of theLos Angeles Timesstated that the film was in "a class that is unique, deeply spiritual and even awe-inspiring,"[39]thoughRichard L. CoeofThe Washington Postwrote that, "Partly through the writing, partly through the variety of acting styles, this reverence does not stir the emotions. It is very hard to take seriously a film which presents so petulantly obvious a performance as Jay Robinson's sophomoric Caligula or a script which early observes: 'You have made me the laughing stock of Rome.' These and matters like them are not aspects of fine motion picture making."[40]Harrison's Reportscalled the film "Excellent!" It continues: "Even if it had been produced in the conventional 2-D form, Lloyd C. Douglas' powerful novel of the birth of Christianity in the days of ancient Rome would have made a great picture, but having been produced in the revolutionary CinemaScope process, it emerges as not only a superior dramatic achievement but also as a spectacle that will electrify audiences with its overpowering scope and magnitude."[41]The Monthly Film Bulletincalled the film "a routine addition to the numerous Hollywood Biblical films," which presents "a characteristically distorted and simplified view of Imperial Rome, with a ranting Caligula, a doddering Tiberius, and the customary scenes of 'spectacle' in the palace, the marketplace and the torture chamber. The performances lack enthusiasm, and Richard Burton in particular seems ill at ease as the morose Marcellus."[42]Basil Wrightwrote inSight & Sound:"As a film on a religious subject, Henry Koster'sThe Robehas rather fewer lapses in taste than most of its predecessors. If the actual speaking of Christ's cry from the Cross is a major error, it is not multiplied. In general, the subject is treated with reasonable reverence and is a deal better thanQuo Vadis,which was a perfect illustration of Aristotle's remark about the ludicrous being merely a sub-division of the ugly. "[43]

On thereview aggregatorwebsiteRotten Tomatoes,38% of 21 critics' reviews of the film are positive, with an average rating of 5.5/10.[44]

Awards and honors

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26th Academy Awards:

Wins[45]
Nominations

11th Golden Globe Awards:

Wins

Sequel

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The film's successful and highly praised sequel,Demetrius and the Gladiators(1954), featuredVictor Maturein the title role;Michael Rennie,Jay Robinson,and David Leonard also reprise their roles fromThe Robe.Filming of the sequel was completed beforeThe Robewas released, and it begins with Caligula's challenge to Marcellus and Diana as they climb the stairs to their execution at the end of this film.[5]

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In the first episode of the 2020 miniseriesThe Queen's Gambit,The Robeis playing for the staff and wards of the Mathuen orphanage, and the film's final chorus of "Alleluia" provides adiegeticsource of music while Beth breaks into the dispensary and overdoses.[46]

See also

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References

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  1. ^Aubrey Solomon,Twentieth Century Fox: A Corporate and Financial History,Scarecrow Press, 1989 p248
  2. ^THOMAS M. PRYOR (May 1, 1953). "Film Group to Aid State Department: Industry Council Pledges Its Cooperation to De Mille for Overseas Information Work".The New York Times.p. 17.
  3. ^The Robe.Box Office Mojo. Retrieved January 20, 2010.
  4. ^Chrissochoidis, Ilias(ed.).CinemaScope:Selected Documents from theSpyros P. SkourasArchive.Stanford, 2013.
  5. ^ab"Random Observations on Pictures and People".The New York Times.RetrievedMay 7,2020.
  6. ^Miller, Malcolm (October 30, 1953)."Music and Drama".The Knoxville Journal.p. 24. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  7. ^The Robeat theAFI Catalog of Feature Films
  8. ^abc"Ross' 20%; RKO's 950G".Variety.September 16, 1953. p. 1.RetrievedOctober 6,2019.
  9. ^"Religion: Celluloid Revival".TIME.April 24, 1944. Archived fromthe originalon March 5, 2010.RetrievedMay 25,2010.
  10. ^Schallert, Edwin (August 1, 1952). "Jeff Chandler Likely for Demetrius; 'Highest Mountain' New Purchase".Los Angeles Times.p. B7.
  11. ^Hopper, Hedda (December 19, 1952). "Mature About to Sign as Demetrius in 'Robe".Los Angeles Times.p. B8.
  12. ^Hopper, Hedda (January 10, 1953). "Victor Mature to Do 'Story of Demetrius'".Los Angeles Times.p. 14.
  13. ^Schallert, Edwin (February 5, 1953). "Art of Dali Will Spur Three-D; Buckmaster Flying In for Caligula".Los Angeles Times.p. A9.
  14. ^The Robe poster at the Wide Screen Museum
  15. ^"FOX COMPLETES 'ROBE': $4,600,000 Film in CinemaScope Was 10 Years in Making".The ew York Times.May 1, 1953. p. 16.
  16. ^Kehr, Dave (March 27, 2009)."The Robe: The Birth of Cinemascope".The New York Times.
  17. ^"The Robe: Alternate Versions".
  18. ^"Preserved Projects".Academy Film Archive.
  19. ^"Radio City Music Hall Wouldn't Drop Stageshow So It Lost Out On 'Robe'".Variety.September 2, 1953. p. 3.RetrievedFebruary 24,2024– viaArchive.org.
  20. ^ab"'Bounty' Nicks Ford $2.3 Mil; A TV Record ".Daily Variety.July 28, 1967. p. 1.
  21. ^"Television: Mar. 24, 1967".Time.March 24, 1967. Archived fromthe originalon March 5, 2010.RetrievedMay 25,2010.
  22. ^"Hit Movies on U.S. TV Since 1961".Variety.January 24, 1990. p. 160.
  23. ^"Announcements".hive4media.Archived fromthe originalon September 8, 2001.RetrievedSeptember 14,2019.
  24. ^"The Robe [Blu-ray]".smile.amazon.March 17, 2009.RetrievedDecember 4,2020.
  25. ^"Record $36,000 Gross for 'Robe' Opening".Motion Picture Daily.September 18, 1953. p. 1.RetrievedSeptember 22,2019– viaArchive.org.
  26. ^"World Record Set by 'Robe' In 1st Week".Motion Picture Daily.September 22, 1953. p. 1.RetrievedSeptember 22,2019– viaArchive.org.
  27. ^"See $225,000 for 2nd 'Robe' Week".Motion Picture Daily.September 25, 1953. p. 1.RetrievedSeptember 22,2019– viaArchive.org.
  28. ^"National Boxoffice Survey".Variety.September 30, 1953. p. 3.RetrievedMay 13,2023– viaArchive.org.
  29. ^"Picture Grosses".Variety.September 30, 1953. p. 10.RetrievedMay 13,2023– viaArchive.org.
  30. ^"'Robe' in 44 Locations in October ".Variety.September 30, 1953. p. 4.RetrievedMay 13,2023– viaArchive.org.
  31. ^"National Boxoffice Survey".Variety.October 28, 1953. p. 3.RetrievedMay 13,2023– viaArchive.org.
  32. ^"National Boxoffice Survey".Variety.October 14, 1953. p. 3.RetrievedMay 13,2023– viaArchive.org.
  33. ^"All Time Domestic Champs".Variety.January 6, 1960. p. 34.
  34. ^"20th's Global C'Scope Jackpot".Daily Variety.November 9, 1955. p. 1.
  35. ^"20th Counts C'Scope Blessing".Variety.November 9, 1955. p. 5.RetrievedApril 24,2019.
  36. ^abc"New York Critics Generally; Favorable; 'The Robe' Into 100 Spots Next Month".Variety.September 23, 1953. p. 4.RetrievedOctober 7,2019– viaArchive.org.
  37. ^"Film Reviews: The Robe".Variety.September 23, 1953. p. 6.RetrievedOctober 7,2019– viaArchive.org.
  38. ^Crowther, Bosley (September 27, 1953). "Now Cinemascope! A Look at 'The Robe' and the New System in Which It Is Put On".The New York Times.Section 2, p. 1.
  39. ^Schallert, Edwin (September 25, 1953). "'The Robe' Hailed as Epochal Film".Los Angeles Times.Part 2, p. 1.
  40. ^Coe, Richard L. (October 2, 1953). "'The Robe' Reveals Cinema Scope".The Washington Post.55.
  41. ^"'The Robe' with Richard Burton, Victor Mature and Jean Simmons."Harrison's Reports.September 19, 1953. 152.
  42. ^"The Robe".The Monthly Film Bulletin.21(240): 5. January 1954.
  43. ^Wright, Basil (January–March 1954). "The Robe".Sight & Sound.23(3): 143.
  44. ^"The Robe".Rotten Tomatoes.RetrievedJanuary 14,2022.
  45. ^"Oscars.org – The Robe"ArchivedJanuary 10, 2014, atarchive.today.Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  46. ^Nguyen, Hanh (October 23, 2020).""The Queen's Gambit" is the sexiest and most thrilling TV show about chess you'll ever watch ".Salon.RetrievedNovember 30,2020.
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