The Robe (1953)

Directed by Henry Koster. Starring Richard Burton, Jean Simmons, Victor Mature, Jay Robinson, Michael Rennie, Torin Thatcher, Dean Jagger, Della St. John, Jeff Morrow, Richard Boone, Ernest Thesiger.

Dutiful but fundamentally empty religious epic, one of those second-rate sword-and-sandal “spectaculars” all the rage in the burgeoning age of television. Burton’s Roman tribune is a witness to the crucifixion of Christ, and his Greek slave (Mature), awestruck by the holy presence of the Christian messiah, flees servitude carrying the bloodied robe Jesus wore; the “magic” of the robe haunts the tribune, who ultimately converts to Christianity, defying Emperor Caligula (Robinson). Rarely boring, but the melodramatic pomposity of the subject matter and dialogue makes it hard to take seriously, even on the level of broad-stoke, larger-than-life storytelling. Burton is commanding but wooden, like a mighty oak, although he does go over the top in one scene where he’s tempted to destroy the robe; Mature’s one-note solemn piety gets old quick; Robinson’s Caligula is simply laughable, a simpering snake prone to childish tantrums. And speaking of laughing, It’s hard not to do so at the lame “effect” of the final shot, as if Burton and love interest Simmons were posing for a blue-screened prom photo. The earnest thunder of Alfred Newman’s score brings more might and majesty to the proceedings than the combined efforts from the director, cast and screenwriters. Inspired a sequel the following year: Demetrius and the Gladiators.

46/100