Both Sides Of A Human And Historical Man
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 skillful 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.
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 skillful 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.
- FerdinandVonGalitzien
- 28 juin 2012