Jules César conquérant de la Gaule

This film renders the exploits of the famed Roman conqueror (generally depicted on-screen either via the Shakespeare play or the Cleopatra affair) routine through countless tortuous intrigues and, when they finally arrive, lifeless battle sequences (despite some gratuitous carnage in close-up, they're full of choppy stock footage and the moves of the various stuntmen/extras look all-too-obviously choreographed and, worse still, fake)! At the very least, however, the American star of this peplum – Cameron Mitchell, who made several of them during this era – delivers a thoughtful portrayal in the title role. The fact that this is cut-rate even for the modest standards usually set by the genre is borne out by its anonymous production values and supporting cast (other than Rik Battaglia, as a hammy villain bearing the unwieldy name of Vercingetorix, and future Italian TV personality Raffaella Carra', playing Caesar's young protégé); unfortunately, blonde Belgian beauty Dominique Wilms (as Battaglia's warrior lover) does not have near enough screen time to make up for these flaws

The story of the greatest Roman general of all time, is best read from his own commentaries. In this movie called " Ceasar the Conqueror " also taken from those commentaries, is a sad rendition of his life's conquests. In this tale,Cameron Mitchell plays Julius Caesar and for the most part does a good job. His story by the way is poorly portrayed in this Italian movie. The dialog is choppy as best and because of the translation problems, comes off as High Schoolish as best. The acting is poor and also very card board and stiff. Rik Battaglia plays Vercingetorix the best of the Gualic tribes and Carlo Tamberlani as Pompey, both comes off as hammy and unbelievable. Still, If audience members don't mind, the whole production will emerge as second rate as depicted by directed by Tanio Boccia. Here is one film, which should be relegated to the rear of the shelf. **

One of the better films in Mill Creek's Warriors 50-Pack. It isn't a "clean" copy but you can see and hear the film just fine - but the color of the film is a quite a bit faded. If you are a fan of the film I would recommend finding a stand alone copy that has been cleaned up and color adjusted.

This is the story of how Julius Caesar conquered The Gauls. It's a decent film and account of what happened and how it happened. I am not going to say this is an accurate of what happened because I wasn't there when it happened and really don't know, nor do I claim to know Roman and German history - I'm still learning more about it.

I can say from the stand point of Italian "Hollywood" entertainment - the film is entertaining and is well acted out. Lavish costuming, props and sets the way most all the peplum films are.

5/10

It concerns Julius Caesar and his famous existence on Gaul , including feats , fights , political events , betrayal , wars and lovers . Vercingetorix (Rik Battaglia) provokes a popular rebellion against Roman domination , he rallies his people and Gaul tribes when they are threatened by an army commanded by Julius Caesar (Cameron Mitchell) . Caesar asks for senator Pompeius (Carlo Tamberlani) to lead some troops for fighting the Barbarians . But Caesar's protégée (a very young Raffaela Carrá) is kidnapped by Vercingetorix and later on , her lover Claudius (Ivo Payer) is also taken prisoner . But they're freed by Queen Astrid (Dominic Wilms) . Although the deeds described are historically inaccurate , some events are vivid and authentic .

This is a fairly Sword and Sandals standard from the 60s . It's made middling scale with some spectacular scenes and in Peplum style . The action is regularly done and the story occasionally drags , however to be liked for Peplum's hardcore lovers . The motion picture was regularly directed by Americo Anton or Tanio Boccia . He directed some Spaghettis : Saguara , Kill or be Killed , Deadly Trackers and this Dio non paga il sabato (1967), but usually made Peplums, adventures and mini-epics , such as : Vendetta of Ivanhoe , La valle dell'eco tonante , Il dominatore del deserto , Maciste alla corte dello zar , I predoni della steppe , Sanson against pirates , Julio César,conqueror Gaul , Il trionfo di Maciste , Il conquistatore d'Orient , among others . Rating : 5/10 , mediocre .

The picture is partially based on real events . These are the following ones : Gallic chieftain Vercingetorix (dead at 46 b.c) was an insightful and valiant warrior , whose father was captured and executed by Romans , he was leader a rebellion against Roman domination . He seeks justice by winning freedom for Gaul from the Romans , and soon he raises an army of his own to defeat Caesar . Vercingetorix was definitely vanquished in Alesia , where took place a long siege . He was taken prisoner and led to Rome . Then he's coerced to a handcuffed parade throughout the Rome streets , being killed after six years in prison . Later on , Caesar, married Calpurnia, and is appointed Consul for life and then he crossed river Rubicon . His history is written by the same Julius Caesar in 'Comments about War of Gaul' or 'De Bello Galico', also he wrote in brilliant and elegant style 'Comments about Civil War' or 'De Bello Civili'.

Other adaptations about Caesar and Vercingetorix is as follows : 'Vercingetorix (2001)' by Jacques Dorffman with Chistopher Lambert and Klaus Mara Brandauer ; 'Julius Caesar (2004 TV) ' by Uli Edel with Jeremy Sisto as Caesar and Heino Ferch as Vercingetorix . Furthermore , known Shakespearian renditions as 'Julius Caesar(1953)' by Joseph L Mankiewicz with Louis Calhern as Caesar and Marlon Brando as Marcus Antonius and Stuart Burgue version (1970) starred by Charlton Heston .

The script proudly reads :"from Julius Ceasar's "the Gauls war" but the plot is so far-fetched it can only have been intended as a joke.Sure,we know about Julius's frames of mind which begin and close the movie,but the rest of the story is business as usual.

Vercingetorix is an obscure historic character,only known by Ceasar's pieces of writing.So why not turning him into the movie's villain?Played by a mediocre actor,the Gallic chief looks like a comic strip baddie,lecherous,cruel and treacherous.On the other hand,Romans are noble,brave,loyal and virtuous.

The Alesia episode is completely false historically speaking:it was a very long siege and the director reduces it to a battle .Alesia was located on a hill,in the movie it's a plain.And I'm not sure Mark Antony was here.

But the Gallic had their revenge in 1963:Astérix was born.