Julius Caesar
By: director, David Bradley
Contributors: McMahon, Louis, photography; Cloak, F. Theodore, cast; Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616; Audio Brandon Films
Publisher: Audio Brandon
Published: 1950
Place of publication: United States
Language: eng
Number of pages: 3276
Subjects: Conspiracy; Kings and rulers; Assassination; Drama; Guilt; Treason; Political violence; Assassins; Prophecies (Occultism); Murder; Ambition
Work titles: Julius Caesar (Motion picture: 1950) 16 mm
Description: An independent film production of Shakespeare's play using primarily actors from the Chicago area. Charlton Heston, who had known director David Bradley since they were young men, plays Mark Antony. Heston was the only paid cast member. Director Bradley doubled as Brutus, with Harold Tasker in the title role. Bradley recruited drama students from Northwestern University for the smaller parts. The production was shot on 16 mm film for a budget of $15,000 relying on locations in the Chicago area, including Soldiers Field, the Museum of Science, and the Field Museum. The Indiana sand dunes on Lake Michigan were used as a background for filming the Battle of Philippi. In order to save money, about eighty percent of the film was shot silently, with the dialogue added later. After its premiere in Evanston in 1950, the film had limited showings in the United States, mainly in schools, until it was shown at the Edinburgh Film Festival in 1951. As a result of this film, Charlton Heston was able to sign a contract with Hal Wallis, beginning a long career in Hollywood.
Notes: Harvard Film Archive projection print and track, HFA Item nos. 13924; 13922; from the Brandon Film Library Collection.

Running time 90 minutes, Cf. Audio Brandon Catalogue, September 19th, 2011.

Adapted from William Shakespeare's play.

Direction, David Bradley; production, David Bradley, Owen Davis, Robert Keigher; photography, Louis McMahon; sound, Sherwin Cazanov; lighting, Johnny Green.

Harold Tasker, Charlton Heston, David Bradley, Theodore Cloak, Mary Sefton Darr, Homer Dietmeier, Alfred Edyvean, George Gilbert, Grosvenor Glenn.