Performance & Direction: The Robe Review
Last updated: January 20, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Robe (1953) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Robe features a noteworthy lineup led by Richard Burton . Supported by the likes of Jean Simmons and Victor Mature , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Robe (1953) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.8/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: The Robe
Quick Plot Summary: The Robe is a Drama, History film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The Robe
Ending Breakdown: The Robe concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Robe reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The Robe Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
The Robe draws heavily from documented historical records. As a drama, history film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, with attention to period detail and historical context.
Accuracy Assessment: The Robe adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch The Robe?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Box Office Collection: The Robe
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $4.4M |
| Worldwide Gross | $36.0M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The Robe Budget
The estimated production budget for The Robe is $4.4M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: The Robe
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Where to Watch The Robe Online?
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Google Play MoviesYouTubeThe Robe Parents Guide & Age Rating
1953 AdvisoryWondering about The Robe age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Robe is 135 minutes (2h 15m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.8/10, and global collection metrics, The Robe stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1953 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Robe worth watching?
The Robe is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.8/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Robe parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Robe identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Robe?
The total duration of The Robe is 135 minutes, which is approximately 2h 15m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Robe
Richard Burton ("Gallio") leads the cast in this lavishly colourful toga and sandals tale of a Roman Tribune who falls foul of a wonderfully over-the-top Jay Robinson as "Caligula" at a slave auction. As punishment, he and his newly bought slave "Demetrius" (Victor Mature) are despatched to the backwater of Judea. Once there, he is assigned by Pontius Pilate to supervise the crucifixion of Christ whereupon he happens upon the legendary robe and his soul becomes a tortured wreck. Jean Simmons is the love interest trying desperately to keep him sane as he tries to retrieve the garment, but try as she might he is gradually subsumed. The whole thing is just too ponderous, lethargic and ultimately it all rather ends up on the rocks. Alfred Newman's score is overbearing and the script woefully stodgy too. Henry Koster could have taken 20 minutes from this and it might just have tightened it up enough to sustain my interest. He didn't and it didn't...
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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