When it comes to compiling a list of Shakespeare's best plays, from personal opinion, 'Julius Caesar' would not make the list, though it would certainly not be on the lesser play list. That is not saying that it's a bad play, quite the contrary. It is compelling with fully rounded characters, interesting themes and some of Shakespeare's most famous lines and speeches, Shakespeare once again showing how unrivalled he is in mastery of language, text and poetry whether in a few lines or big monologues. It does though run out of steam dramatically towards the end and in performance very rarely is the final scene nailed.
The late 70s-early 80s BBC Shakespeare adaptations are very interesting. Quality-wise they are variable with not all of them being great, but it is great to see productions that are generally faithful and respectful and have distinguished casts (most with performances that are good or more, not all mind). Even if some have problems with over-faithfulness, lack of imagination and under-budget. Their 'Julius Caesar' from 1979 is towards the better end on the whole and the second best of the four productions transmitted at this point of the series, King Richard II' being the best and the others being 'Romeo and Juliet' (left me mixed) and 'As You Like It' (uneven but decent). Though there is better in the series definitely.
'Julius Caesar' is not completely perfect, a couple of aspects being hindered by budget. Although there are worse in the series, the costumes are unimaginative and somewhat drab (though the attempt at authenticity is admirable), those togas do look quite cheap.
As expected, but hoping the production would do it well, the final scene is once again not nailed and actually underwhelms. The momentum had gone and the staging felt static.
However, this production is interesting in quite a few respects. The camera work is more expansive than that for most productions in the series and doing the solliloquies in voice overs had a very effective psychological qualities. The characters are already fully rounded and flesh blooded, but are given more complexity and detail in the interpretations here (especially Brutus and Cassius). The stage direction is on the most part involving on a dramatic level, everything makes sense and nothing distracts or comes over as tasteless, credit is also due in having more detail and precision in the interactions and emotions than most in the series, complex in some places and subtle in others.
Costumes aside, 'Julius Caesar' doesn't look too bad with the sets being more authentic than those for the productions of the other Roman-set Shakespeare dramas/plays. Shakespeare's text shines brilliantly, all the major lines having their impact and the speeches/solliloquies having the right amount of nuance and intensity. There are great performances all round, a more subtle than usual Charles Gray portraying the title role with dignity and authority, nothing weak about him. Keith Michell is a virile Marc Antony and Richard Pasco brings a conflicted edge to Brutus. Same with David Collings as Cassius. In the female roles, Virginia McKenna and Elizabeth Spriggs more than hold their own, the former very touching and the latter a warm and interesting departure from the roles she tended to usually play (very well just to say and more).
On the whole, a 'Julius Caesar' worth praising and not one to bury. 8/10 Bethany Cox
The late 70s-early 80s BBC Shakespeare adaptations are very interesting. Quality-wise they are variable with not all of them being great, but it is great to see productions that are generally faithful and respectful and have distinguished casts (most with performances that are good or more, not all mind). Even if some have problems with over-faithfulness, lack of imagination and under-budget. Their 'Julius Caesar' from 1979 is towards the better end on the whole and the second best of the four productions transmitted at this point of the series, King Richard II' being the best and the others being 'Romeo and Juliet' (left me mixed) and 'As You Like It' (uneven but decent). Though there is better in the series definitely.
'Julius Caesar' is not completely perfect, a couple of aspects being hindered by budget. Although there are worse in the series, the costumes are unimaginative and somewhat drab (though the attempt at authenticity is admirable), those togas do look quite cheap.
As expected, but hoping the production would do it well, the final scene is once again not nailed and actually underwhelms. The momentum had gone and the staging felt static.
However, this production is interesting in quite a few respects. The camera work is more expansive than that for most productions in the series and doing the solliloquies in voice overs had a very effective psychological qualities. The characters are already fully rounded and flesh blooded, but are given more complexity and detail in the interpretations here (especially Brutus and Cassius). The stage direction is on the most part involving on a dramatic level, everything makes sense and nothing distracts or comes over as tasteless, credit is also due in having more detail and precision in the interactions and emotions than most in the series, complex in some places and subtle in others.
Costumes aside, 'Julius Caesar' doesn't look too bad with the sets being more authentic than those for the productions of the other Roman-set Shakespeare dramas/plays. Shakespeare's text shines brilliantly, all the major lines having their impact and the speeches/solliloquies having the right amount of nuance and intensity. There are great performances all round, a more subtle than usual Charles Gray portraying the title role with dignity and authority, nothing weak about him. Keith Michell is a virile Marc Antony and Richard Pasco brings a conflicted edge to Brutus. Same with David Collings as Cassius. In the female roles, Virginia McKenna and Elizabeth Spriggs more than hold their own, the former very touching and the latter a warm and interesting departure from the roles she tended to usually play (very well just to say and more).
On the whole, a 'Julius Caesar' worth praising and not one to bury. 8/10 Bethany Cox