The Dryden will screen Julius Caesar (Joseph L. Mankiewicz, U.S. 1953, 120 min., 35mm).

Put on the screen by Mankiewicz and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, this adaptation presents a shift from the density of Shakespeare's verse to a more intimate tale of point and passion, while maintaining the basic material of the original play. Essentially a drama of men caught in the complex dilemma of political power and tyranny, Julius Caesar combines dynamism and subtlety in both its politically textured narrative and fluid aesthetic. Mankiewicz's use of black and white instead of color inscribes the film with the feel and urgency of a newsreel rather than a costume epic, and the consequent lack of on-screen physical violence—confined to the assassination of Caesar—is compensated by the intense expressions portrayed by a notable cast including Marlon Brando and James Mason. Brando's performance was particularly striking and demonstrated the versatility of his talent in embodying a range of strong characters, from turbulent literary to epic historical figures, from Stanley Kowalski to Mark Antony.

[source: George Eastman Museum website, 2016-Jun-20]