Review: "Julius Caesar" (2002) (mini)

Susan Granger's review of "Caesar" (four-hour TNT mini-series: June 29th and
30th)
Julius Caesar is one of history's most fascinating and flawed figures.
Filled with boundless ambition, his self-glorifying military exploits were
legendary, as were his romantic liaisons. Finally, however, he was felled by his
arrogance. This epic four-hour mini-series explores his background, his
obsessive behavior and what led to his demise. A great leader, his commitment to
politics compromised his personal life, which has a compelling contemporary
relevance.
The story begins as the tyrannical Sulla (Richard Harris) crowns himself
King of Rome, launching a dictatorship distasteful to brooding young Julius
Caesar (Jeremy Sisto), a champion of social reform. In the Senate, Cato
(Christopher Walken) is Caesar's harshest critic and Mark Antony (Jay Rodan) is
his trusted cohort, while Brutus (Ian Duncan), married to Cato's daughter (Kate
Steavenson-Payne), is his friend-turned-betrayer. Pompey (Chris Noth), Sulla's
General, is Caesar's ally, marrying Caesar's daughter (Nicole Grimaudo), before
becoming his arch-enemy. Cornelia (Daniela Piazza) is Caesar's 1st wife, while
Calpurnia (Valeria Golina) is his 3rd wife.
Written by Craig Warner and Peter Pruce, directed by Uli Edel, this
complicated character-study devotes too much time to the Gallic Wars and too
little to political intrigue, particularly Caesar's self-destructive involvement
with Egypt's Queen Cleopatra (Samuela Sardo). While the gruesome battle scenes
are impressive, the choppy continuity is disconcerting and the make-up is
remarkably unflattering. On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, "Caesar" is a
curious 5 as Cliff Notes of ancient history. On TNT, Part I premieres at 8 p.m.
on Sun., June 29th, with Part II at 8 p.m. on Mon., June 30th. Encores are
scheduled at various times during those two days.

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X-Language: en
X-RT-ReviewID: 1168109
X-RT-TitleID: 10002963
X-RT-SourceID: 742
X-RT-AuthorID: 1274
X-RT-RatingText: 5/10