7.3 | / 10 |
Users | 4.3 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.3 |
One of the best Biblical epics of all time, based on a best-selling novel by Lloyd C. Douglas. It tells the story of a Roman, played by Burton, who was in charge of the Crucifixion of Christ and who later is converted to Christianity. The first movie to be filmed in CinemaScope. <br>Four Academy Award Nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor--Richard Burton. Academy Awards: Best (Color) Costume Design, Best (Color) Art Direction-Set Decoration.
Starring: Richard Burton, Jean Simmons, Victor Mature, Michael Rennie, Jay RobinsonHistory | 100% |
Drama | 68% |
Epic | 67% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.55:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.66:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English: Dolby Digital 4.0 (Original)
French: Dolby Digital Mono
Portuguese: Dolby Digital Mono
English SDH, Portuguese, Spanish, Cantonese, Korean, Mandarin (Traditional), Thai
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
It changed my life. In time it will change the world.
The Robe represents a milestone in the history of cinema, and what a film to mark such a
turning point. Released in 1953, The Robe was the first film to utilize the widescreen
CinemaScope format, allowing for a more epic-in-feel and certainly, then, novel experience that
made for a unique and breathtaking experience. Even today, nothing says "the movies" quite like a
widescreen presentation, and from Lawrence of Arabia to The Lord of the Rings,
the wider format continues to allow celluloid artists to showcase sweeping vistas and a broad
spectrum of information that seems to stretch as far as the eye can see. With The Robe,
the format is used to great effect in conveying "the greatest story ever told" in its own unique way,
the film a wonderful example of classic movie making from the 1950s and offering a strong
message on the power of faith and salvation.
Marcellus Gallio hears the Message.
The Robe dazzles on Blu-ray with its masterful 1080p transfer framed at 2.55:1. This is another high-quality classic catalogue release from Fox, and rarely does the transfer fail to impress. Colors are astounding and are the highlight of the image. The shade of dark red that marks the color of the Roman soldier's uniforms in particular stands out, but the many colors of the flowing and wonderfully adorned garments worn by both Roman royalty and the populace of Jerusalem sparkle. The color stands out particularly well against the earthen tones of the sandy floora and the numerous gray façades of various buildings. Fine detail, too, is generally exceptional. The disc reveals textures and fine lines in clothing, armor, weaponry, and the adornments of the luxurious Roman palaces. Some scenes are noticeably soft, lacking in clarity, sharpness, and detail, but such scenes are the exception to the rule. There are also a few instances of dramatic shifts in color one frame to another, but again, such is the exception to the rule. Generally, The Robe looks marvelous on Blu-ray.
The Robe comes to Blu-ray with a DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless surround sound audio track. The primary blemish here is an off-kilter dialogue exchange early in the movie between Gallio and Diana. The audio doesn't seem to quite sync up with the image, and is also unnaturally placed in the extreme front right and left speakers. It's a disconcerting moment, but afterwards there are no instances where the track fails to impress. Otherwise, dialogue is good, strong and accurate. Music is impressive; Alfred Newman's score finds itself mostly centered in the middle with some support off to the front right and left sides. It's clear and accurate; the highs seem, at times, more pronounced than the midrange, with a rather consistent strong level of lows. The storm that follows Christ's crucifixion offers a good presence across the front, a booming, powerful sound that fills the soundstage but enjoys little in the way of rear-channel support. Indeed, The Robe is rather light in surround speaker usage, but not to the detriment of the presentation. While not as striking as the video, The Robe sounds sufficiently good on Blu-ray.
The Robe debuts on Blu-ray with plenty of bonus materials. First is a commentary track
with Film Composer David Newman and Film Historians Jon Burlingame, Julie Kirgo, and Nick
Redman. This quartet enjoys a fine rapport, covering a broad spectrum of topics, but talk of
Alfred
Newman and his work dominates the track. Aficionados of movie music history will enjoy this
track
a good deal. The Music of 'The Robe:' Alfred Newman's Score is an isolated audio track
where dialogue and sound effects are removed, allowing listeners to enjoy the famed score alone.
The track is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1. Introduction by Martin Scorsese (1080p,
1:20)
features the director briefly recounting the CinemaScope process and the restoration the
film
underwent. Next is The Making of 'The Robe' (1080p, 31:23), a fascinating and in-depth
piece that recounts the story-behind-the-story, beginning by looking at the transition of
book-to-film, the property's changing hands between RKO and 20th Century Fox, the many
names attached to it, the era of Hollywood blacklisting, the religious makeup of the cast and
crew, the performances of the cast, the sequel, and more.
The CinemaScope Story (1080p, 18:39) looks at the CinemaScope technique and how it
helped save Hollywood from the brink of insignificance due to the influx of television. From
Scripture to Script: The Bible and Hollywood (1080p, 24:39) looks at the influence of the
Bible on Hollywood and the staying power of Scripture-as-theme in film. Audio Interview
With Screenwriter Philip Dunne (1969) (1080p, 22:23) features the writer recounting the
importance of The Robe and its place in cinema history. 'The Robe' Times Two: A
Comparison of Widescreen and Standard Versions is a BonusView (Blu-ray profile 1.1)
supplement
that features an examination of the differences between the two versions of The Robe,
differences that span more than the aspect ratio of the film. Interview clips and
behind-the-scenes images set the stage for the many visual comparisons between the two
versions via a picture-in-picture window. The best piece on the disc and one of the better
features yet on Blu-ray, it allows for a
fascinating study in film history and a look at how varied processes and takes result in sometimes
radically
differing tones between two versions. Lastly, Advertising 'The Robe' rounds out the
special features. Included are Vintage Celebrity Introductions (480p, 1:35), five
segments from Fox Movietone News, a pair of theatrical trailers (480p, 2:04 & 2:30), an
interactive pressbook, a poster gallery, lobby cards, and publicity stills.
The Robe remains a milestone in the history of cinema both for its technological achievements as well as its merit and importance as a story that recounts the influence of Jesus Christ on all mankind, from the most humble of servants to the greatest of leaders. Though the widescreen process is seemingly taken for granted today, and even loathed by some for its appearance on smaller television sets, the process, properly enjoyed, leaves a lasting impression for its scope and grandeur, allowing for filmmakers to compose films with information both near and far, filling a moviegoer's field of vision with sheer movie magic. Thematically, The Robe is a moving and compelling spectacle of the power of love, hope, faith, and redemption at the time of Christ's death. The film is highlighted by a series of classic, standout performances from its primary cast and lavish set designs. 20th Century Fox's Blu-ray release of The Robe is befitting the thematic power and artistic significance of the film. The disc boasts a gorgeous high definition transfer, a solid lossless soundtrack, and plenty of bonus materials. Like their recent release of South Pacific, Fox has once again proven they lead the pack in terms of bringing their library of classic films to glorious new life on Blu-ray. The Robe comes highly recommended.
1951
1965
1966
1964
2004
Limited Edition to 3000 - SOLD OUT
1954
1961
2018
1976
Limited Edition to 3000 - SOLD OUT
1954
Fiftieth Anniversary
1959
Warner Archive Collection
1955
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2005
Fox Studio Classics
1965
2018
2015
1964
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