March 14 - Julius Caesar (1953)

Today’s movie is a drama with a scene that happens today, March 14. I hope you will enjoy this film and watch it tonight.

JULIUS CAESAR                    

The citizens of Rome are celebrating Caesar’s triumph over Pompey. Some are not happy with this and Caesar is told “beware the Ides of March”. Cassius thinks Caesar has been elevated too high and tries to goad Brutus into action against Caesar. The crown is offered to Caesar three times by Antony, but he refuses it. Casca, Cinna & Cassius conspire to kill Caesar and propose recruiting Brutus into the conspiracy. Brutus joins the conspiracy on March 14, 44 b.c. but says don’t kill Antony also.[21:45 to 41:12]  Calpurnia, Caesar’s wife dreams of his death. She and bad omens convince Caesar to stay at home. Cassius arrives and talks him into going. Caesar confronts the soothsayer and a note warning him of the conspiracy is slipped to him. The conspirators stab Caesar and he dies saying, “Et tu, Brute?”. Antony asks the conspirators if he can speak at Caesar’s funeral and they agree. Brutus tells the crowd why they did it. Antony reads Caesar’s will where he left funds to the citizens and turns the crowd against the conspirators. Octavius, heir of Caesar, Marc Antony and Lepidus take over. Octavius takes an army to pursue the conspirators. Cassius and Brutus argue. Brutus wants to  attack at once, while Cassius wants restraint. At the First  Battle of Phillipi  Octavian wins and Cassius gets his slave to kill him. Brutus finds Cassuis’ body. After losing at Second Phillipi, Brutus gets a friend to kill him. Marc Antony praises Brutus.

Based on the classic play by Shakespeare. Explores the lust for power, envy and loyalty. 

Caesar by Adrian Goldsworthy (Yale University Press, New Haven, 2006) at page 507 and in the film at 49:59 give the date of Caesar’s death and this is the day before

Producer - John Houseman

Director -  Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Screenplay - Joseph Mankiewicz

Awards - The film won the Best Art Direction Oscar. It was also  nominated for the Best Actor (Brando), Best Black-and-White Cinematography, Best Original Score and Best Picture Oscars at the 26^th Academy Awards.

Running Time - 121 minutes

Released - June 4, 1953

Starring –

Marlon Brando as  Marc Antony

James Mason as Brutus

John Gielgud as Cassius

Louis Calhern as Caesar

Edmond O'Brien as Casca

Greer Garson as Calpurnia

Deborah Kerr as Portia

Copyright by Ivan Walters 2014.