Jason Robards : Brutus in Julius Caesar: What Went Wrong?

I always thought of Jason Robards as one of America's finest stage and screen actors.

The question is: why then did he give such a bad performance as Brutus in the 1971 Julius Caesar? It wasn't quite as terrible as the critics let on, but it was still far below what I'm used to seeing from Robards. Was his failure in the role due to being inexperienced in and uncomfortable with the whole Shakespeare idiom (archaic speech, etc)?

Let me just say that I adore Jason Robards and he is my all time favorite actor... but that very question has always baffled me. The movie as a whole is pretty bad, and considering his acting caliber as a whole, he is, at times, surprisingly painful to watch. As to the reason why, I have no idea. I know for fact that he did a good bit of Shakespeare in the late 50s (playing both Macbeth and Hotspur to critical acclaim). Most of his other films released around this time weren't really works of art, either... apparently the early 70s was just a bad time for him, professionally speaking.

"Yes. I'll have a hamburger. And a flashlight."
-Murray Burns

Cable Hogue was released in 70, one of his best screen performances.

I haven't seen the movie in question but the man did have a serious drinking problem, but that's purely speculation on my part. I'm merely saying it should be taken into account. hopefully someone with knowledge of the situation can answer your question.


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imdb lol

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apparently the early 70s was just a bad time for him, professionally speaking

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They must have been, if he was passed up for the part of Hickey in American Film Theater's 1973 Iceman Cometh. Robards practically defined the role, but the role went to a passable but unimpressive Lee Marvin instead.

I have not seen it but, sometimes these things can be fault of the directors and others....

http://www.cgonzales.net & http://www.drxcreatures.com

it's nobody's fault and i'll tell you why. marcus brutus was a stoic who suppressed his emotions. therefore, in order for an actor to play brutus correctly, they can't really channel their emotions.

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it's nobody's fault and i'll tell you why. marcus brutus was a stoic who suppressed his emotions. therefore, in order for an actor to play brutus correctly, they can't really channel their emotions.

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There's a difference between stoicism and being completely blank and wooden. There were no emotions to suppress, and no sign of Brutus' inner struggle. It was as though Robards wasn't even trying with the part.

what about the scene when he was arguing with Cassius in the tent? the emotions were there when they had to be.

you know nothing about acting so get lost

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you know nothing about acting so get lost

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I really doubt that you know anything about acting, nor about 2000 much of anything else for that matter.