MovieChat Forums > The Robe (1953) Discussion > Favorite All-Time Movie

Favorite All-Time Movie

posted 17 years ago by shulma2002
5 replies | jump to latest

This is my favorite all-time movie. I saw it as a kid and was in awe of the widescreen process. At that time, I also fell "in love" with Jean Simmons. She was so sweet and innocent and beautiful in the film. When the film was later showed on TV, I realized what a wonderful love story it was. Lloyd Douglas set this love story amidst the times of Jesus and the sickness affecting the Roman emperors. The ending was inspiring; to die to be with one's chosen husband to go into "His Kingdom". To add to this story, the spectacle, the great score by Alfred Newman, the acting of Burton, the great costumes, the sets and the Technicolor. The film was nominated for several Oscars but was over-shadowed by "From Here to Eternity". "The Robe" originally received 4-stars but now only gets a 3-star rating. Why did it lose 1 star? Strange? The love story is enduring. The epic is inspiring for believers and non-believers alike. The theme is that kindness, justice and love will endure.

[–] ivyandstone 17 years ago

All I know about "From Here to Eternity" is that Deborah Kerr's in it, and there's a major kissing scene on a beach. Seems like I remember reading that it involves spouses cheating on each other also, but I'm not sure, and I'm not interested enough to look it up. Whatever the ultimate theme, it DOESN'T sound uplifting. Now "The Robe", even with some flaws and what movie doesn't have them, left me wanting to do something noble. I can't think of any recently made movie that inspired me to try to go out and be a better person.
They don't make them like this any more, which is a shame.

[–] mercury4 16 years ago

I think they were both great movies. The Robe is also a favorite of mine. I love the storyline and I found it way more uplifting than From Here to Eternity. They're two different movies and both great in their own ways.

[–] shulma2002 15 years ago

I was devastated when "From Here to Eternity" won the Oscar as best film. Very often films, such as "Shakespeare in Love", surprise everybody and win the Oscar.

[–] LionHearted99 15 years ago

It's one of my favorites also. I saw it in downtown Newark, New Jersey in 1953 and was in love with the CinemaScope process that brought this film to the screen.

Jean Simmons and Richard Burton were great together. That final scene where Marcellus was on trial in front of Caligula, and Diana proceeds to tell Caligula exactly what she thinks of him and his empire is just awesome. Jean simmons delivered those lines with exquisite authority and clarity..I felt like standing up and cheering.

Very good movie.

[–] zanbuddha 15 years ago

Well its Good Friday and this has just shown on TV here in the UK and im not one for these historical type movies much of the 50s but i have to say, this one had me glued. Well made, simple and well acted. Really liked it. Jean Simmons is BEAUTIFUL