The Robe
Marcellus is a tribune in the time of Christ. He is in charge of the group that is assigned to crucify Jesus..
- Director: Henry Koster
- Genre:Drama
- Runtime:134 minutes
Cast
Richard Burton : Marcellus Gallio
Jean Simmons : Diana
Victor Mature : Peter
Jay Robinson : Caligula
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The action takes place in Ancient Rome, Capri and Judaea in 32 AD.
Marcellus Gallio (Richard Burton) is a Roman military tribune who antagonizes Caligula (Jay Robinson), nephew and heir to the emperor Tiberius (Ernest Thesiger), and his rival for the love of Diana (Jean Simmons), by buying the defiant Greek slave Demetrius (Victor Mature) on whom Caligula had set his sights. To punish him, Caligula arranges the transfer of Marcellus to the garrison of Jerusalem. Before Marcellus’ ship sails, Diana comes to pledge her love and states that she will intercede on his behalf with Tiberius. Much to his surprise, Marcellus returns her feelings and asks her to wait for him.
Marcellus arrives in Jerusalem, and Demetrius notices Jesus entering the city and feels an urge to follow him. Marcellus serves under the governor Pontius Pilate (Richard Boone), who is troubled and haunted by a recent legal case. Marcellus’ is informed by Pilate that he will return to Italy-to Capri. Before he leaves however Marcellus will command the crucifixion of Jesus. He wins Christ’s robe at dice and takes it with him. A rainstorm begins and Marcellus orders Demetrius to cover him with the robe but, as soon as the cloth touches him, Marcellus cries in agony that it is burning him. Taking back the robe, Demetrius calls Marcellus a murderer and curses him, then runs away.
Marcellus is haunted by nightmares and mental instability that arise from that event. He returns to Italy and visits the aging Emperor Tiberius in Capri and tells him of his ordeal. Tiberius concludes that the teachings of this mysterious Jesus pose a threat to Roman supremacy, and his soothsayer Dodinius (Francis Pierlot) theorizes that Marcellus has been bewitched by the robe, and that only by destroying it will he be freed. Moved by his affection for Diana, Tiberius gives Marcellus an imperial commission to find and destroy the robe and to discover everyone who became followers of Jesus. Read more
