Julius Caesar was assassinated by members of the senate on the Ides of March, the 15th day of the month, 2,053 years ago in 44 B.C.
However, the fall and demise of Caesar is still being depicted in film and capturing the imagination.
Screen Versions of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar
In 1599, the playwright William Shakespeare penned the most famous retelling of the story of Julius Caesar’s assassination. Although titled after the murdered Caesar, the play’s leading role is that of Brutus, with the characterized Mark Anthony also playing a vital part. Most film versions of the play portray Mark Anthony as the main character, despite the play being considered Brutus’ tragedy.
Shakespeare’s play has been transported to film several times. Most often shown on television is the 1953 film version with a cast which includes James Mason as Brutus, Marlon Brando as Mark Anthony, and Louis Calhern as Julius Caesar. The supporting cast notably includes Deborah Kerr as Portia, Greer Garson as Calpurnia, and John Gielgud as Cassius.
Charlton Heston portrayed Mark Anthony in two movie versions of the play. Filmed twenty years apart, the later-made 1970 version also featured Jason Robards as Brutus, Diana Rigg as Portia, and John Gielgud as Julius Caesar.
These movie versions, like the play on which they are based, predominately show only the final few days of caesar’s life before spiraling into a story of the power struggles of Ancient Rome.
Shaw to Screen - Caesar and Cleopatra
In 1945, this George Bernard Shaw play was turned into a film of the same name. It features the enchanting talent Vivien Leigh as Cleopatra and the impressive actor Claude Raines as Julius Caesar. It takes a comic and satirical glance at the relationship of Caesar, as a guiding teacher of the young queen.
It is a lavish production, and when the film was made it was said to be the most expensive film made by Britain. Sadly, the film is also clouded by sorrow since during the filming of one of the energetic scenes, Vivien Leigh, then married to Laurence Olivier, suffered a miscarriage.
Hollywood's Cleopatra Sets Rex as Caesar
Another lavish motion picture production, this 1963 Hollywood extravaganza almost bankrupted the studio of 20th Century Fox. The movie was generally panned and is now largely remembered as the film on which Elizabeth Taylor, playing Cleopatra, and Richard Burton, playing Mark Anthony, began their love affair.
Although the film is intended to depict the life of Egyptian Queen Cleopatra VII, Caesar, played by Rex Harrison, is shown during his years in Egypt. His affair with Cleopatra and his assassination are also featured in the first half of the movie. In fact, critics often state that the film is useless once the character of Caesar is no longer seen onscreen.
Caesar Of The Silver Screen
Julius Caesar has served as a character in many other motion pictures and television miniseries, but it seems nearly impossible for any screen to reflect the enormity of such a figure of legend.
