Drama

History

Julius Caesar

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

United States of America

English

Marlon Brando

James Mason

John Gielgud

Louis Calhern

Edmond O'Brien

Greer Garson

Deborah Kerr

George Macready

Michael Pate

Richard Hale

Alan Napier

John Hoyt

Tom Powers

William Cottrell

Jack Raine

Ian Wolfe

Morgan Farley

Bill Phipps

Douglass Watson

Douglass Dumbrille

Michael Ansara

Dayton Lummis

Edmund Purdom

Paul Guilfoyle

John Doucette

Lawrence Dobkin

Jo Gilbert

John Hardy

Chester Stratton

Lumsden Hare

Vic Perry

Michael Tolan

Rhys Williams

John Lupton

John Parrish

Joe Waring

Stephen Roberts

Thomas Browne Henry

David Bond

Ann Tyrrell

John O'Malley

Oliver Blake

Alvin Hurwitz

Donald Elson

John Call

Rudy Germane

William Phipps

Chet Stratton

John Alderson

Al Bain

Robert Fuller

Ned Glass

Dabbs Greer

Robert Nichols

William H. O'Brien

Vic Perrin

Joe Ploski

Clark Ross

Irene Tedrow

Warren Newcombe

Edwin B. Willis

John D. Dunning

Cedric Gibbons

Douglas Shearer

Edward C. Carfagno

Howard W. Koch

Hugh Hunt

William Tuttle

Miklós Rózsa

Joseph Ruttenberg

Herschel McCoy

Sydney Guilaroff

John Houseman

P.M. Pasinetti

Joseph L. Mankiewicz

William Shakespeare

CinemaSerf

Having finally beaten Pompey's armies, Caesar (Louis Calhern) has returned to Rome to the acclaim of it's population. A fourth term as consul and the title of dictator for life suit his ambitions but they cause alarm amongst those who feel this is the first step to absolutism. First amongst those suspicious characters is Cassius (John Gielgud) and together with Brutus (James Mason) and Casca (Edmund O'Brien) conclude that drastic action needs to be taken if they are to prevent him becoming king. They must, however, factor in the powerful Mark Antony (Marlon Brando) - Caesar's right hand man, and an honourable military figure. The Ides of March duly arrive, and history takes it course - and for me, that's when this adaptation of Shakespeare's play comes alive. The hitherto largely unseen Brando's character cleverly manipulates the mob into handing him an opportunity for vengeance on the assassins, and together with Octavius (Douglas Watson) a chance to wrest control of the empire for themselves. Many people have said that Gielgud was the finest of 20th century Shakesperian thespians and his performance here is potent and evocative. His character comes across as only slightly less ambitious than Caesar, and one way more venal. It's James Mason, though, who impresses most here. His Brutus imbues a sense of principal, of honour and integrity - he seems the only one not quite in it for himself. Both of these men deliver some legendary soliloquies with skill and adroitness. Brando really only gets the one significant kick at the ball as he delivers his eulogy, but here he delivers an impassioned speech to the baying crown that's as insightful as it is inciteful. Joseph L. Mankiewicz competently presides over a well produced and paced dramatisation of brutality, duplicity and pride - and he allows those on screen to demonstrate their abilities to deliver some slightly abridged but still complex dialogue strongly. Not be forgotten are a couple of important, if sparing, contributions from Greer Garson and Deborah Kerr and we are delivered of a great story of intrigue and power that I really enjoyed.

Julius Caesar Theatrical Trailer

John Badham on JULIUS CAESAR

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Julius Caesar

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Cast

Marlon Brando

James Mason

John Gielgud

Louis Calhern

Edmond O'Brien

Greer Garson

Deborah Kerr

George Macready

Michael Pate

Richard Hale

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