Julius Caesar

To my shame I must confess that I did not find Joseph L. Mankiewicz's celebrated Shakespeare adaptation particularly interesting. The film bears the marks of having had only limited funds available. This is clearly seen in the simple and rather stagy sets. It is a far cry from Kenneth Branagh's lavish version of "Hamlet". I do not know Shakespeare's "Caesar", but this American adaptation is said to be relatively faithful to the Bard. Gravity dominates this play completely. There are not many traces of Shakespeare's wit. That also helps to make the film a little heavy going.

Julius Caesar is at the height of his power when Cassius and Brutus organise his murder. In their eyes he has become too powerful, which threatens the Roman system. When Cassius persuades the peaceable and conscientious Brutus to join forces with him, several others sign up. Caesar dies, but the young Mark Antony does not let them get away with murder unhindered. The struggle for power between the two factions sparks a larger war, which Brutus and Cassius lose.

With the role of Mark Antony, Marlon Brando emphatically proved that he could play something other than a motorcycle thug.