THE ROBE
Based on the mega-bestseller by Lloyd C. Douglas, THE ROBE was a supersized ancient-world epic, and the first feature film released in the new widescreen format of CinemaScope, projected onto a wide rectangular screen nearly twice as big (originally 2.55:1) as the more square-shaped screens used previously. Roman tribune Marcellus Gallio (Richard Burton), sent from the capital to the imperial backwater of Jerusalem after insulting emperor-in-waiting Caligula (Jay Robinson), plans to bide his time until he can orchestrate his return to the Eternal City. But once in Judea, he is assigned the task of overseeing the execution of three criminals — one of whom is Jesus of Nazareth. Later, Marcellus wins the crucified Nazarene’s robe in a dice game, but merely touching the garment afflicts him with intense pain. His Greek slave, Demetrius (Victor Mature), a recently converted follower of Jesus, seizes the robe and escapes. Fearing that the robe may be cursed — and a powerful symbol to the growing ranks of Christians — Marcellus sets out on a quest to destroy the robe and suppress the nascent movement, but instead finds himself surprisingly sympathetic to the cause. DIR Henry Koster; SCR Albert Maltz, Philip Dunne, from the novel by Lloyd C. Douglas; PROD Frank Ross. U.S., 1953, color, 135 min. NOT RATED
Run Time: 135 Minutes
Opening Date: Saturday, July 11, 2026
Genre: Historical drama
Introduction