Stagey and poorly-paced
Added 10/27/2009
The Bottom Line:
This 1953 version of Julius Caesar can boast a terrific rendering of Marc Antony's famous speech (and Brutus is an honorable man!) but that's the natural high point of the film which unfortunately continues on for another 40 minutes or so; it's tempting to recommend the film on the basis of that one speech alone but I can't, what with the lacking performance by James Mason as Brutus (who, despite the title, is the main character of the film) and pitiful sets which seem like they were put together an hour before shooting.
2.5/4
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Julius Caesar (Mason,Gilgud, Brando etc)
Added 9/12/2009
As a 20th century classic it is excellent, in the 21st century ... more so !!
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NOT for Deborah Kerr Fans
Added 9/4/2009
I'm posting this as a cautionary note for Deborah Kerr fans. She only has a bit part in this film. Less than 10 min total; maybe only 5. In fact, all women have only bit parts here. If you want to see Deborah in a classic Roman drama, I highly recommend Quo Vadis.
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Better than the Charlton Heston Version
Added 8/2/2009
I watched the 1953 Marlon Brando version last weekend, and I just finished watching the 1970 Charlton Heston version today. Even though the 1970 version is in color with better production quality, the black and white 1953 Marlon Brando version with antiquated scenery is a better movie. The 1953 version also had much better casting. This includes the roles of Mark Antony, Brutus, and Cassius. The only actor in the 1970 version that was better than the 1953 version was Sir John Gielgud's Caesar. Ironically, John Gielgud played Cassius in the 1953 version and Caesar in the 1970 version. He was superb in both roles. I was disappointed with Lewis Calhern's Caesar in the 1953 version. The 1953 version of Julius Caesar was superior in almost every way that matters.
There is a reason the Brando version costs $13.99 and the Heston version costs $8.99. If you have to choose between the two, buy the $13.99 version.
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Arguably this is the best filmed adaptation of Caesar and one of the finest Hollywood versions of any Shakespearean play (produced by John Houseman and directed by Joseph Mankiewicz--no slouches, they). Except for Louis Calhern, who doesn't outlive the Ides of March, the cast--including James Mason (Brutus), John Gielgud (Cassius), and Edmund O'Brien (Casca)--is impeccable. The revelation is, of course, Brando's Antony. His rendering of the funeral oration that turns the masses against the assassins remains spellbinding: the performance that convinced even hardened Brits that Americans--method actors, no less--could play Shakespeare. The disc contains only a few extras: an introduction by TCM's Robert Osborne; an interesting if brief conversation with Dennis Hopper and Laurence Fishburne; a hodgepodge of Shakespearean trailers. The remastering is hardly pristine but nice enough at the price.
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Stagey and poorly-paced
Added 10/27/2009
The Bottom Line:
This 1953 version of Julius Caesar can boast a terrific rendering of Marc Antony's famous speech (and Brutus is an honorable man!) but that's the natural high point of the film which unfortunately continues on for another 40 minutes or so; it's tempting to recommend the film on the basis of that one speech alone but I can't, what with the lacking performance by James Mason as Brutus (who, despite the title, is the main character of the film) and pitiful sets which seem like they were put together an hour before shooting.
2.5/4
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Julius Caesar (Mason,Gilgud, Brando etc)
Added 9/12/2009
As a 20th century classic it is excellent, in the 21st century ... more so !!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
NOT for Deborah Kerr Fans
Added 9/4/2009
I'm posting this as a cautionary note for Deborah Kerr fans. She only has a bit part in this film. Less than 10 min total; maybe only 5. In fact, all women have only bit parts here. If you want to see Deborah in a classic Roman drama, I highly recommend Quo Vadis.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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