Julius Caesar

An independent film production of Shakespeare's play using primarily actors from the Chicago area. Charlton Heston, who had known director David Bradley since they were young men, plays Mark Antony. Heston was the only paid cast member. Director Bradley doubled as Brutus, with Harold Tasker in the title role. Bradley recruited drama students from Northwestern University for the smaller parts. The production was shot on 16 mm film for a budget of $15,000 relying on locations in the Chicago area, including Soldiers Field, the Museum of Science, and the Field Museum. The Indiana sand dunes on Lake Michigan were used as a background for filming the Battle of Philippi. In order to save money, about eighty percent of the film was shot silently, with the dialogue added later. After its premiere in Evanston in 1950, the film had limited showings in the United States, mainly in schools, until it was shown at the Edinburgh Film Festival in 1951. As a result of this film, Charlton Heston was able to sign a contract with Hal Wallis, beginning a long career in Hollywood.