The Robe
50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition


Varèse Sarabande Club (0099552026019)
Varèse Sarabande Club (9999903999089)
Movie | Released: 2003 | Film release: 1953 | Format: CD
Limited edition: 1500 copies
 

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# Track   Duration
Disc One
1.Prelude/Main Title1:27
2.Rome3:14
3.The Slave Market (Diana)2:35
4.Caligula’s Arrival1:04
5.Caligula’s Departure1:07
6.The Map of Jerusalem5:02
7.Passover1:24
8.Palm Sunday2:13
9.The Feast3:15
10.Searching For Jesus (damaged)3:31
11.Execution Orders1:57
12.The Carriage of the Cross1:55
13.The Crucifixion7:45
14.The Nightmare1:37
15.Capri3:56
16.Tiberius’ Palace2:31
17.The Market Place6:13
18.The Resurrection (vocal: Carole Richards)3:01
 53:46
# Track   Duration
Disc Two
1.Elegy4:32
2.Marcellus’ Redemption2:24
3.Justus’ Death1:45
4.Aftermath2:00
5.Hymn For The Dead1:09
6.In His Service1:45
7.The Catacombs5:31
8.Hope1:29
9.Demetrius’ Rescue3:15
10.The Healing Of Demetrius5:17
11.Marcellus’ Farewell1:25
12.The Chase2:28
13.Interior Dungeon2:54
14.Caligula1:22
15.Finale/Hallelujah1:58
 
Bonus Track:
16.Palm Sunday Part One (chorus only)1:26
17.Palm Sunday Part Two (orchestra only)1:11
18.The Crucifixion (orchestra only)7:33
 49:24
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The Robe - 10/10 - Review of Tom Daish, submitted at
The 1950's yielded a great number of historical epics, mainly due to the McCarthy witch hunts and black listing of any film makers who made anything deemed un-American (land of the free indeed), so of course anything religious was seen as a good bet, after all, who could criticise a reverential Biblical story? Well, film critics I suppose; The Robe was not a particularly strong contender and is best remembered today as the first use of Cinemascope for a major motion picture and of course for Alfred Newman's unforgettable score. Unlike Miklos Rozsa's laudable attempts towards period authenticity, Newman enhances the more spiritual qualities of the film and in many ways, this approach seems more dramatically astute and appropriate.

The Prelude wastes no time in laying down the composer's Heavenly musical aspirations for his score, with a prototypical Newman chorus presenting the main theme. The choir is used fairly sparingly, only appearing during the significant and divine moments; The Crucifixion, The Redemption of Marcellus and the finale, The Better Kingdom. Although tying the chorus in such a manner isn't subtle, it can be seen as a counterpoint to the more 'mundane' music reserved for more earthly matters. Perhaps I'm just reading too much into it, but given Newman's previously awe inspiring choral music for the vision sequence in The Song of Bernadette, the connection seems reasonable. Curiously, The Miracle doesn't feature the choir, even though its use would seem appropriate, but some sound effect thunder cracks and Jesus' dying words actually work reasonably well without intruding on the music too inappropriately. The day to day matters of human existence are, of course, provided with some splendid music by Newman; the local colour and sprightly percussion of The Slave Market and Village of Cana, the gently sweeping music for Diana, and later for Miriam counterpoint the arrogant fanfares for Caligula, most strikingly as they cut through The Slave Market for the Entrance of Caligula.

The Song of Resurrection is a little curious and for me, doesn't quite work within the tapestry of the rest of the score, although the intimate arrangement for harp and vocalist Carole Richards is quite pleasing. As with the aforementioned Song of Bernadette, it is likely to be the choral passages that liner in the memory. Newman's Heavenly chorus sounds like no other, there is a passion and otherworldiness that almost no other film composer has matched. Some may feel that it's simply pure Hollywood, but there's a magical alchemy of writing and performance that is truly spine tingling. There is often mention of the Newman string sound, but I think the Newman choir sound is even more incredible. The sound quality isn't perfect and those wonderful choral passages don't always sound their best, but given the score's age, it's acceptable, although in mono.

Other releases of The Robe (1953):

Robe, The (1953)
Robe, The (2012)
Robe, The (2020)
Robe, The (2003)

Soundtracks from the collection: Limited Editions

Overlord / The Disappearance / Hustle (2014)
Green Lantern: The Animated Series: Volume 2 (2013)
Field of Lost Shoes (2014)
Music From The Films of Ridley Scott (2013)
Missouri Breaks, The (2013)
Sin Noticias de Dios / Nadie Hablara de Nosotras Cuando Hayamos Muerto (2011)
Green Berets, The (2002)
Taps / The Only Game In Town (2013)
Proud Men / To Heal a Nation (2008)
Dark Ride (2009)


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