Here is a list of films that portray Julius Caesar, along with a brief description of each:
“Julius Caesar”, 1953
Director: Joseph Leo Mankiewicz
Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, this film adaptation of Shakespeare’s play stars Marlon Brando as Mark Antony and James Mason as Brutus. The story focuses on the conspiracy against Caesar, his assassination, and its aftermath.
Starring: Marlon Brando, James Mason, John Gielgud, Louis Calhern, Edmond O'Brien, Greer Garson, Deborah Kerr, George Macready, Michael Pate, Richard Hale;
Production year: 1953;
Genre: drama, history;
Age: 12+;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “Julius Caesar” on the website imdb.com
“Cleopatra”, 1963
Director: Joseph Leo Mankiewicz, Rouben Mamoulian
This epic historical drama directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz stars Rex Harrison as Julius Caesar. It chronicles the struggle for power in Egypt and Rome and Caesar's relationship with Cleopatra, played by Elizabeth Taylor.
Starring: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Rex Harrison, Pamela Brown, George Cole, Hume Cronyn, Cesare Danova, Kenneth Haigh, Andrew Keir, Martin Landau;
Production year: 1963;
Genre: biography, melodrama, history, drama;
MPAA rating: g;
Duration: 243 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
More information about the film “Cleopatra” on the website imdb.com
“Julius Caesar”, 1953
Director: Joseph Leo Mankiewicz
Another adaptation of Shakespeare's tragedy, directed by Stuart Burge, features Charlton Heston as Mark Antony and Jason Robards as Brutus. The film follows the plot of the play closely, with emphasis on the political machinations leading to Caesar's fall.
Starring: Marlon Brando, James Mason, John Gielgud, Louis Calhern, Edmond O'Brien, Greer Garson, Deborah Kerr, George Macready, Michael Pate, Richard Hale;
Production year: 1953;
Genre: drama, history;
Age: 12+;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “Julius Caesar” on the website imdb.com
“Caesar and Cleopatra”, 1945
Director: Gabriel Pascal
Directed by Gabriel Pascal, this film is based on George Bernard Shaw's play of the same name. Claude Rains portrays Julius Caesar, and the film depicts his encounter and subsequent romantic involvement with Cleopatra, while seeking to stabilize Egypt.
Starring: Claude Rains, Vivien Leigh, Stewart Granger, Flora Robson, Francis L. Sullivan, Basil Sydney, Cecil Parker, Raymond Lovell, Anthony Eustrel, Ernest Thesiger;
Production year: 1945;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy, war, biography, history;
Age: 12+;
Duration: 138 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,2;
More information about the film “Caesar and Cleopatra” on the website imdb.com
“Spartacus”, 1960
Director: Stanley Kubrick, Anthony Mann
Although not exclusively about Julius Caesar, directed by Stanley Kubrick, the film features a young Julius Caesar as a secondary character, played by John Gavin. The narrative mainly revolves around the slave revolt led by Spartacus.
Starring: Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov, John Gavin, Nina Foch, John Ireland, Herbert Lom, John Dall;
Production year: 1960;
Genre: drama, adventure, war, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 197 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,9;
More information about the film “Spartacus” on the website imdb.com
“Rome”, 2005
Director: Michael Apted, Mikael Salomon, Allen Coulter, Alan Poul
This is a historical drama television series that includes Julius Caesar as a key character, portrayed by Ciarán Hinds. Though not a film, the series provides a dramatized portrayal of the rise and fall of Julius Caesar within the broader context of the end of the Roman Republic.
Starring: Kevin McKidd, Ray Stevenson, Polly Walker, Kerry Condon, James Purefoy, Lindsay Duncan, Tobias Menzies, Indira Varma, Ciarán Hinds, Kenneth Cranham;
Production year: 2005;
Genre: drama, history, action, melodrama, war;
Age: 18+;
Rating: IMDB: 8,7;
“Julius Caesar”, 1953
Director: Joseph Leo Mankiewicz
A television movie directed by Uli Edel, starring Jeremy Sisto as Julius Caesar. This film focuses on his rise to power, the conspiracies he faces, his relationships with Pompey, Cleopatra, and Vercingetorix, and ultimately his death.
Starring: Marlon Brando, James Mason, John Gielgud, Louis Calhern, Edmond O'Brien, Greer Garson, Deborah Kerr, George Macready, Michael Pate, Richard Hale;
Production year: 1953;
Genre: drama, history;
Age: 12+;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “Julius Caesar” on the website imdb.com
Please note that the above list may not exhaust all films or television portrayals of Julius Caesar, as his historical figure continues to inspire filmmakers and appears in various forms of media including documentaries, miniseries, and cameos in films not directly related to his story.
In conclusion, films about Julius Caesar offer a rich tapestry of ancient Rome's most pivotal moments, brought to life through the art of cinema. Whether they focus on his political genius, his military prowess, or the dramatic ides of March, these films collectively endeavor to shed light on one of history's most enigmatic figures. Through captivating performances and meticulous period detail, filmmakers have endeavored to capture the essence of Caesar's legacy, providing audiences with a visceral experience of Roman politics, society, and the complexities of power. As each film contributes its unique perspective to the narrative of Julius Caesar, they collectively enrich our understanding of the man behind the legend, inviting a contemporary audience to reflect on themes of leadership, ambition, and the inescapable nature of history's judgment.
