Jeremy Sisto has given another breathtaking performance as the mighty Julius Caesar. Never has Caesar been protrayed so well. Having been in the pressence of many greats before him; such as, Marlon Brando and Charlton Heston. This quick story that represented about 38 years of Caesars life, from the time he was about 19 to his untimley death at the age of 57.
The mini series CAESAR portrayed most of Caesar life close to reality. Though some are historically wrong.
Take Caesar's daughter Julia. She was born the same year Caesar fled Rome. When he returned she would only have been three. I'm not sure what age she was to be in the movie, but she looked about 9 or 10.
Caesar is captured by the pirates, but he does later crucify them. The movie shows as though he never bothered with them again, except when he mentioned them in the Senate.
They do not mention all the other wars Caesar had engaged in, only the Gallic Wars. Yes this is the most infamous of these, but someone who is not familiar with the history of Caesar would think he had never been in battle up until the Gallic Wars.
Before Caesar had ever met Calpurnia in 59BC, he married Pompeia in 67BC. Who was actually the granddaughter of Sulla. He does however devorce her 7 years later. They also show Caesar having an affair
with Cleopatra. Which was true, but they failed to mention all the other affairs he's had. They show his only fault was with Cleopatra. When in fact he had been with many. That's what he liked to do, seduce women. Many of them wives of fellow senators. He was even said to have had an affair with Brutus's mother. Caesar was NOT a shamelss man and this was almost like a game to Caesar.
I also highly doubt that it was really Julia's idea for her father to give her to Pompey. But they mention in the movie Caesar had nothing of a dowry to give. Which was very true. Caesar loved the finer things in life. Though lived the life of a rich man, Caesar was not. By the time of his death he was greatly in debt.
I think the portrayal of Caesar after Julia's death was very true to history. I believe he was very devastated. But not only did Julia die, but his mother died the same year as Julia. I am sure that didn't make things easier.
The Senate did want to put Caesar on trial, also Cleopatra had a son to Caesar 47BC, named Caesarion.
March 15, 44BC, which is the Ides of Martus, Caesar was murdered in the Senate. Everyone involved had to stab Caesar at least one time. They planned on doing this because they feared Caesar becoming king of Roma. They did not want that type of government, they did the only thing they thought could be done; that was to kill kim.
He died on the senate floor in front of a bust of Pompey. Which they do show in the series. How betrayed Caesar must have felt when he saw that his best friend, Brutus was a part of this. One of the most infamous lines is known from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar was "Et tu Brute." Which means "and you Brutus." Marc Antony vowled to avenge the death of Caesar. He made sure everyone paid for Caesars death. Not one of them men who killed Caesar died a natural death.
All in all the movie was great. Hollywood always has to make the "hero" look good. Though Caesar really was a hero in the eyes of Roma and many to this day. To others he was not, he was barbaric to others. I myself think Caesr was a hero, a great man. I believe his flaws made him human, rather than a god many thought him to be. So when I first began to watch Caesar I was sceptical of Jeremy's performance. I had never heard of Jeremy at that point. I wondered why they didn't get someone "good' to play Caesar.
Caesar only deserved the best in my opinion. As I watched Jeremy as Caesar I could not take my eyes off of him. He had the charisma that Caesar had. It showed in his performance. For me I felt Jeremy had brought Caesar back to life, giving everyone a taste of this
magnificent man in history. I don't think anyone could have played Caesar like Jeremy did. Jeremy was perfect. Now when I do see Jeremy in other films I have a hard time believing it was he who played Caesar. It was though he really was Caesar. I believe this was the best performance yet from Jeremy. Though all Jeremy's performances are great, this is just different for me. It's in a class all of it's own.
I give this movie FIVE STARS *****
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