I don't know why Marlon Brando was cast in a Shakespearian tragedy, but if you can make it through his "Lend me your ears" speech without laughing, you'll be one-up on me. Despite him, this version of Julius Caesar is pretty good. Any time John Gielgud is in a period piece, you know you're in for a well-acted interpretation. Joseph Mankiewicz directed the film, and rather than weakening it with a Technicolor distraction, he filmed it in black-and-white, which was very smart. There were enough colorized period piece epics that came out of the 1950s; by keeping it simple, he let the acting shine through and made the bleak tone of the film more evident.
With Louis Calhern as Caesar, James Mason as Brutus, Marlon Brando as Mark Antony, John Gielgud as Cassius, Deborah Kerr as Portia, and Greer Garson as Calpurnia, this is an all-star classic you don't want to miss! Unless, of course, you don't really like Shakespeare, or black-and-white movies bore you to tears, or you were forced to read the play in high school and can't really stomach any more of it. If that's the case, you can skip it. I won't tell anyone.
With Louis Calhern as Caesar, James Mason as Brutus, Marlon Brando as Mark Antony, John Gielgud as Cassius, Deborah Kerr as Portia, and Greer Garson as Calpurnia, this is an all-star classic you don't want to miss! Unless, of course, you don't really like Shakespeare, or black-and-white movies bore you to tears, or you were forced to read the play in high school and can't really stomach any more of it. If that's the case, you can skip it. I won't tell anyone.