Julius Caesar – 1953 Mankiewicz

It’s a Shakespeare adaptation of course but it’s in-line with Mankiewicz’s work- multiple characters perspective driving the narrative, dialogue on fire, and top-notch acting—not that different than All About Eve
The third nom in 4 years for Brando with Streetcar in 1951 and Viva Zapata! In 1952—of course he would win in 1954 for Waterfront and yet another nom in 1957 for Sayonara
Brando is absolutely brilliant—but he’s not alone, John Gielgud and James Mason are great- Gielgud probably comes out second best- he has a scene, about 20 minutes in just before the story with a soliloquy as he’s pacing forward… jaw = dropped

It’s a genius casting for Brando or/and role choice for him. It shows range and that he can do elevated material. It’s so varied from his previously nominated work including his 1951 star-making (and artistic acting-paradigm-shifting performance in Streetcar where he plays an animal)
The cast is filled with actors with distinct dictions—many imitators and comedians over the years would tackle Mason and Brando especially

The narrative moves—packs in the dialogue at a rapid pace- very exciting- excellent choice by Mankiewicz
Among the best dialogue of the Bard—Louis Calhern doesn’t fair quite as well- He’s a tall elegant figure though for Caesar—Deborah Kerr not so much either-
I love George Macready—not enough of him here
When James Mason plunges his dagger into Caesar his face—the acting is spectacular- that isn’t Shakespeare—that’s acting and direction
Brando really arrives one hour in—he’s only really mentioned before and in a scene during a parade for a few moments. Of course at the hour mark when he comes in he takes over the film
He’s supremely brave, emotional- he’s sweating
The camerawork on Brando is fantastic—Mankiewicz knows he has something special—there’s a crane that backs up and expands when Brando yells to give him space and then comes back in closer at the more intimate end of the scene

Mason and Brando talking to the roman mob are like two brilliant lawyers making fantastic closing statements. Dueling pianos- it’s acting transcendence and the reason this is a top 10 of the year film
Another great one of Brando in the foreground with the mob rioting in the background—great mise-en-scene