"Cajus Julius Caesar" (1914) By Enrico Guazzoni

[Ferdinand Von Galitzien]

Herr Enrico Guazzoni’s artistic ambition never had limits; since his early kolossal silent epics, he approached what seemed the most difficult and complicated film projects in a successful way. That’s to the joy of silent film fans, which have, after so many years, the opportunity to marvel at his historical reinterpretation of the Roman Empire and its many illustrious figures.

So, consequently - and keeping in mind these Herr Guazzoni’s precepts - one day he probably thought: why not make a film about Herr Julius Caesar??...

And certainly he did! In Herr Guazzoni’s artistic parameters there are no limits or an impossible project; so to make a film about the most famous of all Caesars obviously meant to produce a kolossal silent film epic in which the life, battles, conquests, family matters and political troubles of Herr Julius must be depicted properly.

Certainly Herr Guazzoni doesn’t fail facing such ambitious epic film project; “Cajus Julius Caesar” (1914) is an astounding historical film spectacle in the broadest sense of the word. It’s an early and kolossal budget film production so characteristic of Herr Guazzoni’s silent career, in which every artistic virtue and skilful direction is on display. He applies the technical needs of the time with a lot of imagination.

Back in 1914, cinematic film narrative was not the talk of the silent town, ja wohl!, but Herr Guazzoni’s mastery fill such needs in the most innovative way that unnoticed even today is its primitiveness in technical questions. That’s’ thanks to artistic subjects as detailed framing and depth of field; but overlying it all was the fact that Herr Guazzoni didn’t suffer “horror vacui”. Consequently every frame of his historical films is full of spectacular compositions, namely crowds and luxury décors.

In “Cajus Julius Caesar” we have these in great doses. A kolossal epic film like this that tries to depict the life and glory of Herr Julius Caesar, must have a variety of scenery appropriate to the film’s hero. This includes the Senate and its conspirators..or .. strange places beyond Rome full of barbarians that must fall under the Rome yoke. Let’s not forget the sequences depicting the masses mentioned before.. or.. the human side of Caesar and his troublesome relationship with his son Brutus.

The intimate, statesman and military side of Caesar is depicted in “Cajus Julius Caesar”. On one side is a great silent film spectacle that shines especially during the conquering Gaul scenes or the final victory parade. These are scenes these full of troops, bloody battles, military artefacts and even galleys. On the other side, are the undercurrent conspiracies at the Senate with Brutus as the leader.

So we can watch the power and the glory, military victories but also the family defeats and view both sides of a human and historical man which are perfectly assembled by Herr Enrico Guazzoni who as always achieves a magnificent epic and historical silent film.

And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must conquer a rich Teutonic heiress’ bedroom.

Herr Graf Ferdinand Von Galitzien
http://ferdinandvongalitzien.blogspot.com" target="_blank

[Frederica]

Herr Enrico Guazzoni’s artistic ambition never had limits; since his early kolossal silent epics, he approached what seemed the most difficult and complicated film projects in a successful way. That’s to the joy of silent film fans, which have, after so many years, the opportunity to marvel at his historical reinterpretation of the Roman Empire and its many illustrious figures.

So, consequently - and keeping in mind these Herr Guazzoni’s precepts - one day he probably thought: why not make a film about Herr Julius Caesar??...

Herr Graf Ferdinand Von Galitzien
http://ferdinandvongalitzien.blogspot.com" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

These reviews of Herr Guazzoni's classically themed films are beginning to make me quite cranky, Herr Graf, I try never to miss films about Julius Caesar. I suppose you couldn't invite me to the schloss to view them? I'll bring chips and dip.

[Christopher Jacobs]

Herr Enrico Guazzoni’s artistic ambition never had limits; since his early kolossal silent epics, he approached what seemed the most difficult and complicated film projects in a successful way. That’s to the joy of silent film fans, which have, after so many years, the opportunity to marvel at his historical reinterpretation of the Roman Empire and its many illustrious figures.

So, consequently - and keeping in mind these Herr Guazzoni’s precepts - one day he probably thought: why not make a film about Herr Julius Caesar??...

Herr Graf Ferdinand Von Galitzien
http://ferdinandvongalitzien.blogspot.com" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

These reviews of Herr Guazzoni's classically themed films are beginning to make me quite cranky, Herr Graf, I try never to miss films about Julius Caesar. I suppose you couldn't invite me to the schloss to view them? I'll bring chips and dip.

Well, I don't have a copy of CAJUS JULIUS CAESAR, but apparently it's on line through http://www.tracktvlinks.com/watch-cajus ... aesar-1914" target="_blank" target="_blank (but not having broadband, I don't know how much of it or how good a copy it is). If you ever happen to be passing in the vicinity of eastern North Dakota, stop by and I promise to fire up my old 16mm Bell & Howell and run Guazzoni's interesting MARCANTONIO E CLEOPATRA (1913). Or, as you've got broadband and I don't, you could just watch it on line through http://www.tracktvlinks.com/watch-marca ... patra-1913" target="_blank" target="_blank although I don't know what the picture quality looks like.

[Frederica]

These reviews of Herr Guazzoni's classically themed films are beginning to make me quite cranky, Herr Graf, I try never to miss films about Julius Caesar. I suppose you couldn't invite me to the schloss to view them? I'll bring chips and dip.

Well, I don't have a copy of CAJUS JULIUS CAESAR, but apparently it's on line through http://www.tracktvlinks.com/watch-cajus ... aesar-1914" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank (but not having broadband, I don't know how much of it or how good a copy it is). If you ever happen to be passing in the vicinity of eastern North Dakota, stop by and I promise to fire up my old 16mm Bell & Howell and run Guazzoni's interesting MARCANTONIO E CLEOPATRA (1913). Or, as you've got broadband and I don't, you could just watch it on line through http://www.tracktvlinks.com/watch-marca ... patra-1913" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank although I don't know what the picture quality looks like.

As Caesar would say, "Alea jacta est WOOT!"

[Ferdinand Von Galitzien]

These reviews of Herr Guazzoni's classically themed films are beginning to make me quite cranky, Herr Graf, I try never to miss films about Julius Caesar. I suppose you couldn't invite me to the schloss to view them? I'll bring chips and dip.

Unfortunately modern commoners like you, Mein Liebe Frau Frederica, are not allowed access to any Schloss facility but instead, if you want, this Herr Graf can invite you to an aristocratic evening at the Coliseum; you can bring some fellows of yours and this Herr Graf will put the lions...

Herr Graf Ferdinand Von Galitzien
http://ferdinandvongalitzien.blogspot.com" target="_blank

[Spiny Norman]

And there's a black & white version too.
Note that the Italian version had some fascist overtones that had been removed for the international market.

Wait - you wrote a review of a movie you haven't even seen? That's a bit silly, don't you think?