Having gotten pretty far into Shakespeare Month, I think this is probably the weakest film I've seen so far. And the thing is, when you have someone as beloved as Shakespeare, it's really hard to even go bad with him, except that Hamlet version shown on "Mystery Science Theater 3000". I was quite impressed by the color. 1970 was the year that nearly every movie was in color and it shows. There's one major complaint I have. Why is it that the actors portraying Julius Caesar and Brutus look so similar? I thought that was a weird casting choice.Well, that's minor, but the thing is, this movie doesn't give you anything that unique. I guess the pacing is nice, but the battle scenes aren't that good. In a few ways, it actually does improve over the 1953 version because the actual assassination of Caesar is depicted well. I feel bad for not recognizing Charlton Heston. The length was pretty good, but there's just nothing to really recommend it over any other Shakespeare movie. The acting could be better, but it's just fine overall. **1/2

This American International production of Shakespeare's play is an O.K. adaption of the Roman tragedy with John Gielgud as the title character giving an authoritative but compassionate performance as the ambitious Roman General. He is only on screen for a short length, but commands each scene that he is in. It is Jason Robards who wins acting honors here as Brutus, making you understand his motives for doing what he does to preserve the Republic. Charleton Heston as Marc Anthony seems as if he is not part of the ensemble and the major focus, even though he too has only limited screen time. His famous speech at Caesar's funeral looses total impact because of this. Diana Rigg is very good as Brutus's wife with Jill Bennett the only other female as Caesar's wife. The battle scenes are not as powerful as those from MGM's 1953 version, even if they are in color. Some of the scenes have a bit of a horror element to them, not surprising considering AIP's usual output. The lack of wide screen smashes the visuals together to be rather blurry at times, and this weakens the impact of much of the intended epic.

This is a film built entirely for fans of Shakespeare. If you want a truly cinematic version, try the Brando version. This version is as true to Shakespeare as any film I have seen. John Gielgud in his second Julius Caesar film role, this time as Caesar himself, is studied and brilliant. Brutus plays off of Antony well as the weaker of the generals. Surprisingly, Heston plays a brilliant Antony, strong and resilient, as Antony should be played, and showing a serious command of the language and supernatural world of Shakespeare's Caesar. I recommend this film for any true reader or scholar of Shakespeare as the definitive Julius Caesar film adaptation. If you want Hollywood-type entertainment, go for the earlier but flashier Brando version.

The cast is great, but the movie is completely lacking in drama. Most of the problem is with Jason Robards's performance. He practically sleepwalks through the role of Brutus -- no emotion, no life, no nothing. The play trudges along with only a few flashes of quality. Major disappointment.