The Robe is a 1953 Biblical epic film that tells the story of a Roman tribune who commands the unit that crucifies Jesus. The film was made by 20th Century Fox and is notable for being the first film released in Cinemascope. Although it was the first film with the Cinemascope logo, it did not use the famous opening fanfare heard on all 20th Century-Fox films, but rather a mixed choir chanting a religious theme over the logo. (The fanfare and its musical extension, which was added especially for Cinemascope, are still used on all 20th Century-Fox films today, including Fox Searchlight Pictures, despite the fact that Cinemascope has not been used since 1967.)
It was directed by Henry Koster and produced by Frank Ross. The screenplay was adapted by Gina Kaus, Albert Maltz, and Philip Dunne from the Lloyd C. Douglas novel. The music score was composed by Alfred Newman and the cinematography was by Leon Shamroy.
It stars Richard Burton, Jean Simmons, Victor Mature, Michael Rennie, Dean Jagger, Jay Robinson, Richard Boone, and Jeff Morrow.
Marcellus is a tribune in the time of Christ. He is in charge of the group that is assigned to crucify Jesus. Drunk, he wins Jesus' homespun robe after the crucifixion. He is tormented by nightmares and delusions after the event. Hoping to find a way to live with what he has done, and still not believing in Jesus, he returns to Palestine to try and learn what he can of the man he killed. Written by John Vogel
