Julius Caesar (1953)

The assassination of the would be ruler of Rome at the hands of Brutus and company has tragic consequences for the idealist and the republic.

Director:

Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Writer:

William Shakespeare (play)

Stars:

Marlon Brando, James Mason, John Gielgud

Won 1 Oscar. Another 6 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marlon Brando	...	Mark Antony
James Mason	...	Brutus
John Gielgud	...	Cassius
Louis Calhern	...	Julius Caesar
Edmond O'Brien	...	Casca
Greer Garson	...	Calpurnia
Deborah Kerr	...	Portia
George Macready	...	Marullus
Michael Pate	...	Flavius
Richard Hale	...	Soothsayer
Alan Napier	...	Cicero
John Hoyt	...	Decius Brutus
Tom Powers	...	Metellus Cimber
William Cottrell	...	Cinna
Jack Raine	...	Trebonius

Storyline

Brutus, Cassius, and other high-ranking Romans murder Caesar, because they believe his ambition will lead to tyranny. The people of Rome are on their side until Antony, Caesar's right-hand man, makes a moving speech. The conspirators are driven from Rome, and two armies are formed: one side following the conspirators; the other, Antony. Antony has the superior force, and surrounds Brutus and Cassius, but they kill themselves to avoid capture.

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Plot Keywords:

army | murder | speech | roman | assassination | 

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 June 1953 (USA)

Also Known As:

William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

Filming Locations:

Bronson Caves, Bronson Canyon, Griffith Park - 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System) (original release) Stereo (DVD Release)

Color:

Black and White Black and White (tinted) (1969 UK re-release)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The one scene in the play involving Cinna the Poet, in which he is mistaken for Cinna the Conspirator and killed by the angry mob, was filmed but deleted before release.

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Goofs

In the beginning of the film, when Flavius is talking to workers, we see Marullus near the wall behind, with a fat man a little way on his right side. The next shot shows the fat man partly behind Marullus.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Flavius: Hence! home, you idle creatures get you home:/ Is this a holiday? what! know you not,/ Being mechanical, you ought not walk/ Upon a labouring day without the sign/ Of your profession? Speak, what trade art thou?

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Connections

Version of Julius Caesar (1970)

User Reviews

Memorable and classic version based on Shakespeare tragedy full of fine performances

This excellent adaptation of the Shakespeare play concerns on greedy, fighting power and epic-historical treatment in ancient Roman empire . The picture happens after battles of Munda and Farsalia when Pompeyo is defeated by Julius Caesar(Louis Calhern) and one time having conquered Gaul. Caesar(100-40 B.C.) goes back to Rome and crosses the river Rubicon with attempt to do himself sole governor of the empire, a purpose resented by those who still had hopes of retaining the centuries-old Republican form of ruling. Then the aristocratic party , including Bruto(James Mason), supposedly Caesar's bastard son, and Cassio(John Gielgud) prepare a conspiracy at March 15, 44 b.c.-Idus of March- and murdered Caesar. The shooting made an intent at historic realism finishing in the battle of Philippi where the second triumvirate(Marc Anthony,Lepido and Octavius Augustus: Caesar's grandnephew and his heir) defeat Caesar's assassins and posteriorly split the Empire among them.

Displays outstanding performances from James Mason as Brutus, Louis Calhern as memorable Caesar, Deborah Kerr as Brutus's wife, and Greer Garson as Calpurnia ,Caesar's first wife, the second one was Cleopatra who is left out of the action entirely. And of course, an electrifying Marlon Brando who makes a terrific acting using Stanislawski method and extraordinary soliloquy over Caesar's body.Acting enjoyable enough spread correctly to the secondaries roles as Ian Wolfe,George McReady,Michael Pate, Edmund Purdom,Douglas Drumbull and Alain Napier as Cicero. Remains surprisingly faithful to Shakespeare playwright and writing directly from original, unlike many others historic movies of the time. Caesar assassination is well staged and spectacular final regarding the battle of Philippi was added by production film , though Mankiewicz to be opposed because he wished a movie completely theatrical.Deservedly won Academy Award for art direction and production design by Cedric Gibbons. Efficiently produced by actor John Houseman and directed with professionalism and imagination by Joseph L Mankiewicz.This gripping movie will like to Shakespeare devotees but its spirit is intact ,despite are taken a briefs liberties.Shakespeare would have admired this classic film. It's followed by an inferior remake, being the original much better version, and directed in 1970 by Stuart Burge with Charlton Heston(Marlon Brando's role), Jason Robards(James Mason-lookalike),Robert Vaughn(Edmond O'Brien,Casca role-alike), Jill Bennet(Greer Garson), Diana Rigg(Deborak Kerr's character)and repeating acting by John Gielgud as Julius Caesar role substituting his phenomenal previous character as Cassius.