Though it was released in 1953 by 20th Century Fox, the Robe is a Biblical epic film which is immediately familiar to most Americans because it is typically shown on Easter weekend during prime hours, a tradition which first started in 1967, when ABC aired it with only one commercial break, a previously unheard of luxury not even afforded to the annual showings of The Wizard of Oz.
Many film students may immediately recognize due to its distinction as the first movie to ever be filmed in the Cinemascope format, which marked the beginning of our modern era of the anamorphic format both in principal cinematic photography and movie projection.
The Robe tells a fictional tale involving a Roman military tribune named Marcellus portrayed by Richard Burton, who in the film's depiction commands the unit that crucifies Jesus. Also in the film's rendition, Marcellus is the winner of the robe Jesus wore, which the Bible says that the soldiers drew lots for while Jesus was being crucified. After putting Jesus to death, Marcellus becomes wracked with guilt, and seeks to find a remedy for his melancholia and maddening despair.
The other major character in the film is Demetrius, played by Victor Mature, the former slave that voluntarily serves Marcellus out of gratitude after being freed by him in the opening sequence. Demetrius becomes a believer and follower of Jesus shortly before Jesus is put to death, and is infuriated by the involvement Marcellus has in putting Jesus to death. Agonized, he curses Marcellus and the Roman Empire, and abandons Marcellus. The remainder of the tale details the redemption of Marcellus, brought about in no small part through his reunion with Demetrius later in the film.
The Robe was a fantastic motion picture, winning the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Picture, and Burton took home a Best Actor Oscar for his exceptional performance as Marcellus. Even today, the film continues to inspire and move viewers with a deeply affecting message of redemption through faith in Jesus.
Although the film might not be as big of a hit today, due to its Christ-centered theme, it was a smashing success at the time of its release, becoming the second highest grossing movie in box-office history behind Gone With the Wind, and Fox's most successful film ever. It returned roughly thirty-six million dollars in gross revenue from a budget estimated to be between four and five million dollars.
With all of its pomp and splendor, perhaps the most defining elements of the film was the bold and spirited performance by Mature as Demetrius. Although he never won any award apart fom the Star on the Walk of Fame at 6780 Hollywood Boulevard on February 8, 1960, Mature was one of the finest actors of his time, and arguably the finest to ever to hail out of Louisville, where he was born on January 29, 1913 and later went to Spencerian College and the Kentucky Military Institute in Jefferson County.
Portraying his character with fiery intensity and earthy bravura, Mature gave a radical and edgy element to the movie, and was a major element in why The Robe has endured long beyond many of the other opulent Biblical epics produced during that time period. Without Mature's earthy everyman Demetrius, the film would have been lacking a character for the audience to truly identify with. As a brave hero who lives his life with a powerful sense of honor and commitment to what is right and defies the oppression of anyone who would take his integrity away from him, he captured the hearts of American audiences.
Perhaps the greatest evidence as to the quality of his performance is that he made such a memorable impression on moviegoers that he was cast again as Demetrius in a sequel to the Robe called Demetrius and the Gladiators. Mature held the starring role, and while the film was not received with as much critical enthusiasm as its predecessor, he carried it to a twenty-six million dollar box-office revenue off of a four million dollar budget.
Have you seen The Robe? And what did you think of it? Were you impressed by Victor Mature's performance?
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