| Julius Caesar | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Enrico Guazzoni |
| Written by | Raffaele Giovagnoli |
| Based on | Julius Caesar 1599 play by William Shakespeare |
| Produced by | Enrico Guazzoni |
| Starring | |
| Production company | Società Italiana Cines |
| Distributed by | Società Italiana Cines |
| Release date |
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| Running time | 112 minutes |
| Country | Italy |
| Languages | Silent Italian intertitles |
Julius Caesar (Italian:Giulio Cesare) is a 1914 Italian silent historical film directed by Enrico Guazzoni and starring Amleto Novelli, Bruto Castellani and Pina Menichelli. Taking minor inspiration from William Shakespeare's 1599 play of the same title, the film portrays the events leading up to the assassination of Julius Caesar. In the wake of Guazzoni's internationally successful Quo Vadis it was produced on an epic scale, including vast sets recreating Ancient Rome and more than 20,000 extras.
Plot summary
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The film is based on William Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, which dramatizes the events surrounding the conspiracy to assassinate the Roman leader Julius Caesar, the subsequent fallout, and the political turmoil that ensues. The storyline remains faithful to Shakespeare's text, emphasizing themes of loyalty, betrayal, ambition, and the consequences of political maneuvering.
Key scenes include:
- Caesar's triumphant return to Rome after his victory in the Civil War.
- The conspirators, led by Brutus and Cassius, debating the morality and necessity of Caesar's assassination.
- The infamous Ides of March, where Caesar is betrayed and murdered in the Senate.
- The oration of Mark Antony, which sways public opinion against the conspirators.
- The civil war that follows Caesar's death, culminating in the tragic downfall of Brutus and Cassius.
Production and Direction
Enrico Guazzoni, a pioneer in early Italian cinema, directed the film. Guazzoni was known for his elaborate historical epics, such as Quo Vadis (1913). His work on Julius Caesar reflects a similar commitment to grandiose sets, historical authenticity, and a focus on dramatic storytelling.
The production utilized large-scale sets to recreate Ancient Rome, emphasizing grandeur and authenticity. The film's visual style was likely influenced by the artistic conventions of Italian cinema at the time, characterized by static camera angles, theatrical acting, and ornate costumes.
Cast
- Amleto Novelli as Julius Caesar
- Bruto Castellani
- Irene Mattalia as Servilia
- Ignazio Lupi
- Augusto Mastripietri
- Antonio Nazzari as Brutus
- Gianna Terribili-Gonzales
- Lia Orlandini
- Ruffo Geri
- Pina Menichelli
- Orlando Ricci
References
- Moliterno p.158
Bibliography
- Moliterno, Gino. Historical Dictionary of Italian Cinema. Scarecrow Press, 2008.
External links
- Julius Caesar at IMDb
- Julius Caesar at the TCM Movie Database
| The films of Enrico Guazzoni | |
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| William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar | ||
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| Sources |  | |
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| Related | ||
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- 1914 films
- Italian historical drama films
- Italian silent feature films
- 1910s Italian-language films
- Films directed by Enrico Guazzoni
- 1910s historical drama films
- Films set in ancient Rome
- Films set in the 1st century BC
- Italian films based on plays
- Italian black-and-white films
- Films about Julius Caesar
- 1914 drama films
- Silent historical drama films
- Italian-language historical drama films
- Silent Italian film stubs
- Historical film stubs