Julius Caesar

British director Stuart Burge was no stranger to loyal adaptations of Shakespeare, having previously directed a 1959 BBC-TV version of Julius Caesar and the 1965 big-screen Othello with Laurence Olivier in blackface in the title role. But that earlier expertise is only fitfully on display in this 1970 misfire, in which John Gielgud's Caesar goes from triumphant emperor to victim of a multiple-stabbing, murdered (quite bloodily in this case) at the peak of his imperial power by jealous rivals in the Roman senate. Cassius (Richard Johnson) and a reluctant Brutus (Jason Robards) are among the conspirators, obliquely accused by Mark Antony (Charlton Heston) in his famous rhetorical oratory that leads to a declaration of war. Unfortunately, this is all played out with such lugubrious solemnity that this version almost qualifies as a cure for insomnia. To be fair, some of the performances are strong enough to hold interest, especially among the stellar supporting cast, which includes Robert Vaughn (Casca), Diana Rigg (Portia), Christopher Lee (Artemidorus) and a brief appearance by Richard Chamberlain as Octavius. The biggest drawback here is Robards' dreary, droning performance, which stands in stark contrast to Heston's typical bombast. On the plus side, this is the first home-video release that properly presents the film in its original 2.35:1 widescreen aspect ratio. So now the cheap-looking sets, badly mixed soundtrack, and soporific speechifying can be fully (ahem) appreciated—especially on the Blu-ray release. Most, however, would be better off with Joseph L. Mankiewicz's livelier 1953 version starring Marlon Brando as Antony. Optional. (J. Shannon)