DVD Review: “The Robe”

Now, Fox, you know better! This movie was the first released in Fox’s heralded Cinemascope back in 1953 (although not the first filmed in that process — that honor went to the Marilyn Monroe vehicle How to Marry a Millionaire). This DVD was released in anamorphic widescreen (aspect radio 2.55:1), but not restored, meaning that the viewer picks up white and black specks, washed-out color in some scenes, bad contrast, etc. Still, it was interesting to see the young, not-yet-fully-formed Burton (just 28!) as the conflicted Roman tribune Marcellus, the beautiful Simmons (well-costumed) as his faithful Diana, the stony Mature as Demetrius the early Christian convert, the underplaying Rennie as Peter (yes, that Peter), and the over-the-top (but still enjoyable) Robinson as Emperor Caligula. Mature and Robinson return in the following year’s sequel, Demetrius and the Gladiators. The Robe deserves a better home video treatment…perhaps in high definition?