Julius Caesar ( Julius Caesar ) is an American film directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz , based on the eponymous play by William Shakespeare , released in 1953 .
Synopsis
Caius Julius nicknamed Caesar, ambitious political leader, is determined to become dictator. He is welcomed in triumph in Rome during the celebration of the Lupercalia. Senators (and in particular Cassius), faced with the reaction of the crowd, come to consider him a threat to Rome. But the popularity enjoyed by Caesar makes any conspiracy against him difficult.
To secure the support of Caesar’s supporters, Cassius confided in Marcus Brutus, a noble known for his integrity and idealism. If Brutus supported the conspiracy, it would seem more legitimate to Roman citizens. Brutus is also a close friend of Caesar, which adds to the moral dilemma of the play.
As a metaphor for the action that is coming, a strong storm is falling on Rome. Brutus reflects on his conduct, realizing that the conspiracy may well make him an assassin. Finally, thanks to Cassius and others, Brutus manages to consider such an act as beneficial. However, Brutus deters the conspirators from killing Marc Antoine too. Caesar, already warned by a diviner and Calpurnia, his wife, ignores their advice and goes to the Senate. He is stabbed by Cassius, Brutus and the others.
Marc Antony concludes a truce with the conspirators and asks to be able to accompany the body of Caesar and to be able to speak at his funeral. Brutus agrees and gives a speech to the people to explain the reasons for the assassination.
Antoine continues with the famous monologue starting with “Friends, Romans, and countrymen”, and by his brilliant irony manages to attract the favors of the crowd previously returned to the cause of the conspirators. He brings them to claim vengeance for Cassius, Brutus, and all those associated with Caesar’s death.
Antony then conspired with Octavian (Caesar’s nephew) and Lepidus to take control of Rome by force of arms. They eliminate many of the conspirators and others perceived as enemies.
Meanwhile, Brutus and Cassius draw up an army against them. In a final battle, Brutus has the upper hand over Octave, but Cassius succumbs in an attack by Marc Antoine.
In front of Antoine and Octave, Brutus’ army was defeated and Brutus chose to commit suicide rather than being taken prisoner.
In discovering the body, Marc Antoine laments the tragic end of Brutus, declaring that he was the most noble of all.
Technical sheet
- Title: Julius Caesar
- Original title: Julius Caesar
- Director: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
- Scenario: Joseph L. Mankiewicz from the eponymous play by William Shakespeare
- Production: John Houseman
- Production company: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- Music: Miklós Rózsa
- Photography: Joseph Ruttenberg
- Editing: John D. Dunning
- Artistic direction: Edward C. Carfagno and Cedric Gibbons
- Sets: Hugh Hunt and Edwin B. Willis
- Costumes: Herschel McCoy
- Special effects: Warren Newcombe rigging
- Country of origin: United States
- Language: English
- Format: Black and White – Mono (Western Electric Sound System) – 70 mm
- Genre: Historical film , peplum
- Duration: 120 minutes
- Release date :
- United States
- la France
Distribution
- Marlon Brando (VF: André Falcon ) : Marc Antoine
- James Mason (VF: Jean Davy ) : Brutus
- John Gielgud (VF: Jean Martinelli ) : Cassius
- Louis Calhern (VF: Jacques Berlioz ) : Julius Caesar
- Edmond O’Brien (VF: Jean Marchat ) : Casca
- Greer Garson (VF: Helen Tossy ) : Calpurnia
- Deborah Kerr (VF: Jacqueline Porel ) : Portia
- George Mcready: Marullus [Gaius Epidius Marullus]
- Douglas Watson (VF: Gabriel Cattand ) : Octave
- Ian Wolfe (VF: Abel Jacquin ) : Quintus Ligarius
- John Lupton (VF: Roland Menard ) : Varro
- John Parrish (VF: Roger Rudel ) : Titinius
- Alan Napier (VF: Maurice Dorléac ) : Cicero
- John Hoyt (VF: Roger Treville ) : Decius Brutus
- Tom Powers (VF: Paul Villé ) : Metellus Cimber
- William Cottrell (VF: Jean-Louis Jemma ) : Cinna
- Douglass Dumbrille : Lepidus
- Rhys Williams : Lucilius
- John Hardy : Lucius
- Lumsden Hare : Publius
- Michael Pate : Flavius
- Richard Hale : The diviner
- Michael Ansara : Pindarus
- Preston Hanson : Claudius
- Dayton Lummis : Messalla
- Morgan Farley : Artemidorus
- Michael Tolan : Octave’s officer
- John Alderson , Oliver Blake : citizens of Rome
Around the film
In the Mythologies of Roland Barthes, the chapter The Romans in the cinema is dedicated to Julius Caesar .
Distinctions
- 1954 : Oscar for Best Artistic Direction for Edward C. Carfagno, Cedric Gibbons, Edwin B. Willis & Hugh Hunt
- 1954 : BAFTA for best English actor for John Gielgud , BAFTA for best foreign actor for Marlon Brando