Some splendid character acting in this film.

I've just watched the film late last week for the first time in quite some time. It never ceases to move me deeply and it has stayed with me all weekend.

I must say, not to detract from Burton or Mature or Jean Simmons, but there are some excellent performances throughout the film. Torin Thatcher as Senator Gallieo and Dean Jagger are excellent, Michael Rennie, Betta St. John as the lovely Miriam, the actor who plays the embittered centurion are all marvelous!

Kudos again to Victor Mature -- he is absolutely wonderful as Demetrius -- his characterization strikes the right note and is very nuanced. His portrayal evolves and in that scene, as he reverently walks up to Golgotha, to stand before the Cross, he doesn't say a word, but his facial expression is stirring. Just a terrific performance, beautifully directed, IMO.

On a different note, I am fortified in my view that this one of the very best film scores ever. I usually find music in films, especially in contemporary films, intrusive, loud, manipulative and annoying. Newman's score for The Robe is a triumph and a major reason this film continues to stay with me for days at a time. I don't come at this film with any sense of religiosity, but I do think the theme of the film is conversion, the peace it can bring to some and the fallout it can cause. All of this comes together so well and, to get back to my topic, is buttressed by a tremendous score, some very fine actors, doing some superb work.





If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.