Julius Caesar (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
'Julius Caesar', adapted from Shakespeare's famous play about political intrigues among noble senators, is a terrific Hollywood version as directed by Joseph L. Mankieweicz. The movie opens in 44 BC as Roman dictator Julius Caesar (Louis Calhern) returns to Rome from his recent victory over Pompey & to the accolades of the masses who view him as immortal. Upset over Caesar's God-like status are a number of seemingly loyal senators led by Cassius (John Gielgud) & the more introspective Brutus (James Mason), who is one of Caesar's very favorite politicians (& 2nd in command). These 2 men + a few others, including Casca (Edmond O'Brien) become convinced that Caesar's assassination would be the best thing for Rome, & they conspire to kill Caesar to rid Rome of his 'tyranny'. The 1st sign of trouble that is brought to Julius Caesar's attention is when a blind soothsayer warns him to ' ... beware the Ides of March'.
The next sign comes from his faithful wife Calpurnia's (regal Greer Garson) dream of his bloody demise. She pleads with him not to go to the Senate that day, but a senator reinterprets Calpurnia's dream & eases Caesar's troubled mind. Too bad for him ... the senators execute their assassination; repeatedly stabbing him in front of the Pompey statue. Caesar's beloved companion Marc Antony (Marlon Brando) is stunned & runs to the fresh corpse. He pretends to support Brutus while a mob of lowly Romans gather in front of the Senate doors for Caesar's funeral. Brutus convinces the mob that Julius Caesar's death was for the good of Rome. Then Marc Antony appears, hell bent on destroying the conspirators; delivering a rousing, impassioned speech that damns Brutus & the other assassins as self-serving. With the mob now against them, the conspirators are forced to flee Rome & Marc Antony cunningly organizes an army set against them. Drama ensues.
This is a beautifully executed film from legendary Mankieweicz. The film is loaded with an all-star cast. James Mason plays the moral Brutus with a dignity that we have become accustomed to. In his Hollywood debut (he was well-known in merry 'ole England), John Gielgud asserts himself as the crafty Cassius. Louis Calhern is brilliant as the charmingly arrogant, yet weak-of-mind Julius Caesar. Marlon Brando, in only his 4th film, proved to his doubters that he could convey/express Shakespeare's words in an intelligible & powerful manner. Shakespeare's dialogues require a certain rhythm of delivery, but Brando nails it.
The movie was shot in striking black-&-white photography. I think it was a wise decision because it is well-known that b-&-w cinematography puts emphasis on the actors - and what better acting showcase is there than in this film? The sets (many borrowed from Quo Vadis) & costumes are excellent. And other technical aspects of the film impress. This Shakespearean epic did surprisingly well at the box office, received high praise from critics, & was nominated for a plethora of Academy Awards, including Best Picture & Marlon Brando for Best Actor. Brando being nominated as Lead Actor is a hot topic of discussion among cinephiles because, really, Marc Antony is a supporting role. However, Brando is so domineering. And he was such a budding star; the notion of him being placed in Supporting felt wrong to the studio. It's one of those performances that could go either way: minor Lead, or commanding Supporting.
Overall, this is a very, very good film that could have been superb if it had utilized a more substantial cinematic approach. It could have been more ... epic. The camerawork, while undoubtedly beautiful, could have had more movement; more scope. This is especially true of the climax at the Battle of Philippi. Also, I think it's a minor crime that such actresses as Greer Garson & Deborah Kerr (as Brutus' stunning & concerned wife) were used as little as they were. But these are nitpicks. 'Julius Caesar' is a stellar movie that offers us the chance to see brilliant thespians chewing on Shakespeare's wonderfully rich material.
The next sign comes from his faithful wife Calpurnia's (regal Greer Garson) dream of his bloody demise. She pleads with him not to go to the Senate that day, but a senator reinterprets Calpurnia's dream & eases Caesar's troubled mind. Too bad for him ... the senators execute their assassination; repeatedly stabbing him in front of the Pompey statue. Caesar's beloved companion Marc Antony (Marlon Brando) is stunned & runs to the fresh corpse. He pretends to support Brutus while a mob of lowly Romans gather in front of the Senate doors for Caesar's funeral. Brutus convinces the mob that Julius Caesar's death was for the good of Rome. Then Marc Antony appears, hell bent on destroying the conspirators; delivering a rousing, impassioned speech that damns Brutus & the other assassins as self-serving. With the mob now against them, the conspirators are forced to flee Rome & Marc Antony cunningly organizes an army set against them. Drama ensues.
This is a beautifully executed film from legendary Mankieweicz. The film is loaded with an all-star cast. James Mason plays the moral Brutus with a dignity that we have become accustomed to. In his Hollywood debut (he was well-known in merry 'ole England), John Gielgud asserts himself as the crafty Cassius. Louis Calhern is brilliant as the charmingly arrogant, yet weak-of-mind Julius Caesar. Marlon Brando, in only his 4th film, proved to his doubters that he could convey/express Shakespeare's words in an intelligible & powerful manner. Shakespeare's dialogues require a certain rhythm of delivery, but Brando nails it.
The movie was shot in striking black-&-white photography. I think it was a wise decision because it is well-known that b-&-w cinematography puts emphasis on the actors - and what better acting showcase is there than in this film? The sets (many borrowed from Quo Vadis) & costumes are excellent. And other technical aspects of the film impress. This Shakespearean epic did surprisingly well at the box office, received high praise from critics, & was nominated for a plethora of Academy Awards, including Best Picture & Marlon Brando for Best Actor. Brando being nominated as Lead Actor is a hot topic of discussion among cinephiles because, really, Marc Antony is a supporting role. However, Brando is so domineering. And he was such a budding star; the notion of him being placed in Supporting felt wrong to the studio. It's one of those performances that could go either way: minor Lead, or commanding Supporting.
Overall, this is a very, very good film that could have been superb if it had utilized a more substantial cinematic approach. It could have been more ... epic. The camerawork, while undoubtedly beautiful, could have had more movement; more scope. This is especially true of the climax at the Battle of Philippi. Also, I think it's a minor crime that such actresses as Greer Garson & Deborah Kerr (as Brutus' stunning & concerned wife) were used as little as they were. But these are nitpicks. 'Julius Caesar' is a stellar movie that offers us the chance to see brilliant thespians chewing on Shakespeare's wonderfully rich material.