Julius Caesar (1970)

The growing ambition of Julius Caesar is a source of major concern to his close friend Brutus. Cassius persuades him to participate in his plot to assassinate Caesar, but they have both sorely underestimated Mark Antony.

Director:

Stuart Burge

Writers:

Robert Furnival (adaptation), William Shakespeare (play)

Stars:

Charlton Heston, Jason Robards, John Gielgud

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Charlton Heston	...	Mark Antony
Jason Robards	...	Brutus
John Gielgud	...	Julius Caesar (as Sir John Gielgud)
Richard Johnson	...	Cassius
Robert Vaughn	...	Casca
Richard Chamberlain	...	Octavius Caesar
Diana Rigg	...	Portia
Christopher Lee	...	Artemidorus
Jill Bennett	...	Calpurnia
Derek Godfrey	...	Decius Brutus
David Dodimead	...	Lepidus
Michael Gough	...	Metellus Cimber
David Neal	...	Cinna the Conspirator
Preston Lockwood	...	Trebonius
John Moffatt	...	Popilius Lena

Storyline

The growing ambition of Julius Caesar (Sir John Gielgud) is a source of major concern to his close friend Brutus (Jason Robards, Jr.). Cassius (Richard Johnson) persuades him to participate in his plot to assassinate Caesar but they have both sorely underestimated Mark Antony (Charlton Heston).

---

Plot Keywords:

bare chested male | hairy chest | julius caesar character | mark antony character | brutus character | 

---

Taglines:

No grander Caesar... No greater cast!

---

Genres:

Drama | History | War

---

Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 May 1970 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Julius Caesar

Filming Locations:

MGM British Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Commonwealth United Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was Sir Christopher Lee's one hundredth movie.

---

Goofs

Cassius drinks from a wooden cup during the riot scene. When he throws the wooden cup it makes a sound as if it was glass.

---

Quotes

Julius Caesar: Let me have men about me that are fat; Sleek-headed men, and such as sleep o' nights. Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look; He thinks too much: such men are dangerous.

---

Connections

Version of Julius Caesar (1953)

User Reviews

Prestigious though little known Shakespearean production plenty of American-British stars

This good rendition of the Shakespeare playwright talks about tragedy, ambition, politics, corruption and wars. The film starts in battle of Munda where Julius Caesar(100-40 b.c.) vanquished Pompeyo and terminates in battle of Filipos where the second triumvirate(Marco Antonio, Lepido and Octavius Augustus: Richard Chamberlain) vanquish Brutus and Cassio. Aristocrat party prepares a conspiracy and March 15, 44 b.c -Idus of March- Julius Caesar was assassinated in senate .Remains surprisingly true to Shakespeare's adaptation and working directly from the original, unlike many other historical movies of the same era. The Caesar killing is originally staged including unexpected frames of the murderous washing their hands in the blood of Julius and below of Pompeyo sculpture.

There are magnificent acting from a memorable Charlton Heston as Marco Antonio, an electrifying John Gielgud as Caesar, a sneaky Robert Vaughn as Casca and a splendid Richard Johnson as Cassius, among them. Performances attractive enough extends right down to the minor characters, wealthy of expert character-drawing, as Christopher Lee, Diana Rigg and Andre Morell as Ciceron. Directed with imagination and professionalism by Stuart Burge and well produced by Peter Snell who followed with a sequel also little known 'Marco Antonio and Cleopatra' starred and directed by Charlton Heston.This gripping flick will like to Shakespeare devotees but its spirit is intact in spite of are taken some liberties. It's hard to believe this underrated film did not have success, today is best deemed but contains brilliance of dialogue perfectly played by all-stars. Despite this one turns out to be inferior than classic film 'Julius Caesar(1953)' considered definitely the best version available directed by Joseph L Mankiewicz and starred by top American players as Marlon Brando( similar role Charlton Heston-Marco Antonio), Louis Calhern(John Gielgud-Caesar), Greer Garson(Jill Bennet-Calpurnia),James Mason(Jason Robards-Brutus), Edmond O'Brien(Robert Vaughn-Casca role) among others.