''Julius Caesar'' () is a 1914 Italian silent

historical film A historical drama (also period drama, period piece or just period) is a dramatic work set in the past, usually used in the context of film and television, which presents historical events and characters with varying degrees of fiction such as ...

directed by

Enrico Guazzoni Enrico Guazzoni (18 December 1876 – 23 September 1949) Birth name Enrico Guazzone. Additionally, document states in lower right, "è morte in Roma in 23-9-49 / died in Rome 23 September 1949". was an Italian screenwriter and film director. G ...

and starring Amleto Novelli, Bruto Castellani and

Pina Menichelli Giuseppa Iolanda Menichelli (10 January 1890 – 29 August 1984), known professionally as Pina Menichelli, was an Italian actress. After a career in theatre and a series of small film roles, Menichelli was launched as a film star when Giovanni Pa ...

. Taking minor inspiration from

William Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 23 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

's 1599 play of the same title, the film portrays the events leading up to the

assassination of Julius Caesar Julius Caesar, the Roman dictator, was assassinated on the Ides of March (15 March) 44 BC by a group of senators during a Roman Senate, Senate session at the Curia of Pompey, located within the Theatre of Pompey in Ancient Rome, Rome. The ...

. In the wake of Guazzoni's internationally successful ''

Quo Vadis ''Quo vadis?'' (, ) is a Latin phrase meaning "Where are you going?". It is commonly translated, quoting the KJV translation of John 13:36, as "Whither goest thou?" The phrase originates from the Christian tradition regarding Saint Peter's fi ...

'' it was produced on an epic scale, including vast sets recreating

Ancient Rome In modern historiography, ancient Rome is the Roman people, Roman civilisation from the founding of Rome, founding of the Italian city of Rome in the 8th century BC to the Fall of the Western Roman Empire, collapse of the Western Roman Em ...

and more than 20,000 extras.Moliterno p.158

Plot summary

The film is based on

William Shakespeare's William Shakespeare ( 23 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

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

, 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 Gaius Julius Caesar (12 or 13 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC) was a Roman general and statesman. A member of the First Triumvirate, Caesar led the Roman armies in the Gallic Wars before defeating his political rival Pompey in Caesar's civil wa ...

* Bruto Castellani * Irene Mattalia as Servilia *

Ignazio Lupi Ignazio Lupi (1867–1942) was an Italian actor and film director. Lupi appeared in more than eighty films including several historical epics such as ''Cabiria'' (1914).Cowie p.38 Selected filmography * ''Quo Vadis'' (1913) * ''Antony and Cleopa ...

Augusto Mastripietri Augusto is an Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish given name or surname. Derived from Augustus, meaning in Latin "majestic," "the increaser," or "venerable", it is notable as being the name of the first emperor of Ancient Rome. The Greek translation ...

Antonio Nazzari Antonio is a masculine given name of Etruscan origin deriving from the root name Antonius. It is a common name among Romance language–speaking populations as well as the Balkans and Lusophone Africa. It has been among the top 400 most popular m ...

Brutus Marcus Junius Brutus (; ; 85 BC – 23 October 42 BC) was a Roman politician, orator, and the most famous of the assassins of Julius Caesar. After being adopted by a relative, he used the name Quintus Servilius Caepio Brutus, which was reta ...

Gianna Terribili-Gonzales Gianna Terribili-Gonzales (1882–1940) was an Italian film actress of the silent era. She appeared in more than forty films including the 1913 historical epic ''Antony and Cleopatra''.Hatchuel & Vienne-Guerrin p.294 Selected filmography *''Anto ...

Lia Orlandini Lia Orlandini (January 12, 1896 – April 9, 1975) was an Italian film actress.Pruzzo & Lancia p.53 She was also a voice actor, dubbing foreign films for release in Italy. Selected filmography * ''Quo Vadis'' (1913) * ''Julius Caesar'' (1914) * ' ...

* Ruffo Geri *

* Orlando Ricci

References

Bibliography

* Moliterno, Gino. ''Historical Dictionary of Italian Cinema''. Scarecrow Press, 2008.

External links

*
''Julius Caesar'' at AllMovie
* 1914 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 Articles containing video clips Silent Italian historical drama films Italian-language historical drama films {{1910s-Italy-film-stub