The Robe
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The Robe

Year:
Duration:
135 min
Genres:
Drama | History
IMDB rate:
6.8
Director:
Henry Koster
Awards:
Won 2 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 4 nominations
Details
Country: USA
Release Date: 1953-12-04
Filming Locations: Corriganville, Ray Corrigan Ranch, Simi Valley, California, USA
Earnings
Budget: $5,000,000
Gross: $36,000,000 (USA) Rentals $17,500,000 (USA)
Cast
Actor
Character
Ernest Thesiger
Ernest Thesiger
The Robe
Richard Burton
Marcellus Gallio
Jean Simmons
Diana
Victor Mature
Demetrius
Michael Rennie
Peter
Jay Robinson
Caligula
Dean Jagger
Justus
Torin Thatcher
Sen. Gallio
Richard Boone
Pontius Pilate
Betta St. John
Miriam
Jeff Morrow
Paulus
Dawn Addams
Junia
Leon Askin
Abidor
Michael Ansara
Judas
Jan Arvan
Slave Dealer (uncredited)
Ben Astar
Cleander (uncredited)
Helen Beverly
Rebecca (uncredited)
Kit Carson
Soldier (uncredited)
Albert Cavens
Sword-Fighting Soldier (uncredited)
Fred Cavens
Sword-Fighting Soldier (uncredited)
Jean Corbett
Slave Girl (uncredited)
Joan Corbett
Slave Girl (uncredited)
Noreen Corcoran
Girl (uncredited)
Sally Corner
Cornelia (uncredited)
Leo Curley
Shalum (uncredited)
Frank DeKova
Slave Dealer (uncredited)
Irene Demetrion
(uncredited)
Van Des Autels
Chamberlain (uncredited)
John Doucette
Ship's Mate (uncredited)
Anthony Eustrel
Sarpedo (uncredited)
Dan Ferniel
Black Man (uncredited)
Bess Flowers
Bystander at trial (uncredited)
Sam Gilman
Ship's Captain
Roy Gordon
Chamberlain (uncredited)
Michael Granger
Slave Dealer (uncredited)
Percy Helton
Caleb - Wine Merchant (uncredited)
Thomas Browne Henry
Marius - Physician (uncredited)
Rosalind Ivan
Julia (uncredited)
Richard Kean
Slave Dealer (uncredited)
Donald C. Klune
Jesus
Nicolas Koster
Jonathan (uncredited)
Virginia Lee
(uncredited)
Virginia Ann Lee
Specialty Dancer (uncredited)
David Leonard
Marcipor (uncredited)
Alfred Linder
Slave Dealer (uncredited)
Emmett Lynn
Nathan (uncredited)
Christey Marlo
Slave Girl (uncredited)
Mae Marsh
Jerusalem Woman Aiding Demetrius (uncredited)
George Melford
(uncredited)
Cameron Mitchell
Jesus Christ
Eleanor Moore
(uncredited)
Ralph Moratz
Nobleman in market (uncredited)
Edward Mundy
Peddler (uncredited)
Jay Novello
Tiro (uncredited)
Arthur Page
Reuben (uncredited)
Francis Pierlot
Dodinius (uncredited)
Alex Pope
Roman Officer (uncredited)
Guy Prescott
Quintus - Tribune (uncredited)
Ford Rainey
Ship's Captain
Peter Reynolds
Lucius
Pamela Robinson
Lucia (uncredited)
George Robotham
Slave with Demetrius at Palm Procession
Hayden Rorke
Caluus - Slave Auction Bidder (uncredited)
Gloria Saunders
Slave Girl (uncredited)
Norbert Schiller
Slave Dealer (uncredited)
Harry Shearer
David (uncredited)
Marc Snegoff
(uncredited)
Marc Snow
Auctioneer (uncredited)
Murray Steckler
Melas (uncredited)
George E. Stone
Gracchus (uncredited)
Arthur Tovey
Gladiator (uncredited)
Otto Waldis
Slave Dealer (uncredited)
Gene Wesson
Soldier (uncredited)
Did you know?
Trivia
Richard Burton had a ferocious argument with 20th Century-Fox studio chief Darryl F. Zanuck before the film's release. This was another reason why he decided to return to London's West End theater district rather than remain in Hollywood.
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The opening shot after the title credits (and the background "red robe" curtain parts) is actually a scene lifted from this film's sequel, Demetrius and the Gladiators (1954). That's Jay Robinson as Caligula presiding over the ceremony preceding the gladiatorial games. Susan Hayward as Messalina sitting to his left, Barry Jones as Claudius on his right, William Marshall as Glycon in the front row of gladiator on the far right, Victor Mature as Demetrius standing directly behind him and Ernest Borgnine as Strabo who is leading the gladiatorial procession.
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Acclaimed by many film historians as a triumph in the art of motion-picture music, Alfred Newman's reverent, intense, prodigious background music failed to garner an Academy Award nomination for Dramatic Score. Nonetheless, Newman did take home an Oscar that night - for his role as musical director of the Irving Berlin-Ethel Merman frolic, Call Me Madam (1953). To register his unhappiness with the snub, distinguished film composer Franz Waxman, an Oscar winner for Sunset Blvd. (1950) and A Place in the Sun (1951), resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Compounding his appreciation for the Newman opus, Waxman required that his screen credit for this film's sequel, Demetrius and the Gladiators (1954), note that the Waxman score was based on the Newman score. Ironically, that year's winning Dramatic Score perhaps had been placed in the wrong category. Bronislau Kaper's charming score for Lili (1953), really a semi-musical starring Leslie Caron and Mel Ferrer, spotlighted Kaper's melodies for two dream-dance sequences (choreographed by Charles Walters), and the wistful hit waltz, "Li-Lili, Hi-Lo" (lyrics by Helen Deutsch). It was not nominated.
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Goofs
Justus tells Marcellus that his grandson, who was born crippled and whom Jesus healed, was named for "Jonathan of old", who (Justus claims) was also born crippled. In the Jewish community, "Jonathan of old" would be the son of Saul, first king of Israel, and the best friend of David, Saul's successor. Jonathan was not born crippled; he had a son, Mephibosheth, who "was lame in both feet", but that was the result of an accident when he was 5 years old (2 Samuel 4:4).
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There are repeated references to galleys leaving Rome for Palestine (and vise versa) "on the next tide". The tides in the Mediterranean Sea are too slight to be of concern to sailors.
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In the sword fight between Marcellus Gallio and the Roman commander, there is a shot of Gallio holding his sword to the commander's throat, while the commander is on the ground. The sword is an obvious prop that is rounded on the end like a spatula.
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Quotes
Emperor Tiberius: Tribune Gallio, you are a Roman officer. I command you to gain control over yourself.
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Diana: Then all the tales I've heard of you are true.
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Caligula: They're going into a better kingdom! They're going into a better kingdom! They're going to meet their king! They're going to meet their king!
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Photos from cast
George Keymas Ernest Thesiger
camping images clip art cute camping clipart Tourist hike tale hose the elephant