--- title: "Julius Caesar: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/julius-caesar/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/julius-caesar" critics_score: 75 critics_reviews: 7 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Julius Caesar (1953): what the critics said Critics' score 75 from 7 reviews: 6 positive, 1 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics like Julius Caesar, and they like it for the same reason: Mankiewicz keeps the camera on the actors and stays out of their way. The praise clusters around the cast. Brando’s Mark Antony draws the most comment, admired for bringing something modern to the verse, with Gielgud and James Mason close behind. Several reviews describe the result as a political thriller rather than a costume pageant, and count the absence of spectacle as a virtue. The reservations are about what the film does not attempt. A number of critics concede it is not cinematically adventurous, and some find the casting uneven beyond the leads. The spread is fairly narrow, with one dissent: The New Yorker finds the whole thing chilly and slow, all elocution and little invention, and, against the general view, thinks Brando and Calhern struggle with the language. Den of Geek, otherwise enthusiastic, notes the sets look artificial. ## Variety — Variety Staff Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 31 December 1952. The film surprises with a tense, melodramatic story clearly presented and excellently acted by a top cast, staying faithful to the classic form without excessive spectacle. Highlights include compelling turns from Marlon Brando as Mark Antony, John Gielgud as Cassius, and James Mason as Brutus. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1952/film/reviews/julius-caesar-2-1200417476/) ## The New York Times — Bosley Crowther Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 14 June 1953. The film is a bold cinematic version of Shakespeare's play that stays close to the characters' faces and words to convey the drama of clashing interests and political intrigue. It features strong performances from a cast including Marlon Brando, James Mason, and John Gielgud. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1953/06/14/archives/-julius-caesar-shakespeares-play-done-boldly-on-the-screen.html) ## Empire — William Thomas Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The film is a perfectly adequate portrayal of Shakespeare's play, held together well by Brando and the cast. Mankiewicz directs the story as a 1950s boardroom thriller with a fine ensemble delivering the Shakespearean dialogue unfussily. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/julius-caesar-review/) ## Time Out — TM Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 3 May 2011. The film is a remarkably successful adaptation of Shakespeare that respects the text and lets performances shine without directorial tricks, emerging as a bold political thriller. Outstanding turns from Gielgud, Calhern and Brando stand out amid some weaker casting choices. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/julius-caesar) ## The New Yorker — John McCarten Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 6 June 1953. The production respects Shakespeare's language but results in a chilly, slow-moving exercise with strong elocution but limited visual innovation. Standout performances come from James Mason as Brutus and John Gielgud as Cassius, while Brando and Calhern are less successful with the verse. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1953/06/13/1953-06-13-065-tny-cards-000045335) ## Den of Geek — Tony Sokol Rating 4.5/5. 15 March 2019. The critic praises Mankiewicz's adaptation for its intimate portrayal of Roman politics and Brando's standout performance as Mark Antony, which brings contemporary energy to the classic role. The film is commended for its nuanced acting and focus on character over spectacle, though sets are noted as looking artificial. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/culture/julius-caesar-marlon-brando-and-the-ides-of-march/) ## Paste — Amy Glynn Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 23 June 2023. The critic praises the film's acting, particularly John Gielgud as Brutus and Marlon Brando as Marc Antony, noting the director's clean style allows the performances to shine, while acknowledging it's not cinematically innovative. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/1950s/best-movies-1950s) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/julius-caesar.md