Drunk and disillusioned Roman, Marcellus Gallio, wins Jesus' robe in a dice game after the crucifixion. Marcellus has never been a man of faith like his slave, Demetrius, but when Demetrius escapes with the robe, Marcellus experiences disturbing visions and feels guilty for his actions. Convinced that destroying the robe will cure him, Marcellus sets out to find Demetrius — and discovers his Christian faith along the way.
Cinematography
CinemaScope debut—those horizons go on FOREVER, baby!
Acting
Richard Burton's hungover Roman is campy, committed, weirdly magnetic.
Costume
The actual robe: more screen presence than some supporting actors.
Director
Henry Koster
Richard Burton
Marcellus Gallio
Jean Simmons
Diana
Victor Mature
Demetrius
Richard Boone
Pontius Pilate
Leon Askin
Abidor
Michael Rennie
Peter
Dean Jagger
Justus
Jay Robinson
Caligula
Torin Thatcher
Sen. Gallio
Betta St. John
Miriam
Jeff Morrow
Paulus
Ernest Thesiger
Emperor Tiberius
Dawn Addams
Junia
Bess Flowers
Spectator at Caligula's court (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Fox nearly went bankrupt on this—CinemaScope was their Hail Mary to compete with TV. It worked: this was 1953's biggest hit.
This kicked off the 1950s biblical epic boom that gave us Ben-Hur and The Ten Commandments—basically, blame this movie for your grandma's DVD collection.
US
