We are happy to program a colored version, that give us back the excellent quality of the original nitrate, of one of the masterpieces of the italian cinema, where Guazzoni develops the space and perspective possibilities of cinema, hardly using the editing techniques, wìth exceptional results.
“The picture is massive, spectacular and often very beautiful. (…) There is that rare ingredient in spectacles of the kind, e clearly presented and coherent story. The cosntruction is simple and straightforward, to the exclusion of cut-backs, dissolves and such useful expedients in the hands of a photo-play-wright intent upon creating suspense and revealing emotional fluctuations. Subtlety of character expression is hardly to be expected in an historical spectacle, none the less there is some admirable acting by Anthony Novelli and a few other players whose names are not disclosed. (…) Cato, Brutus, Marc Anthony and many lesser characters found in the Roman Senate are portrayed by actors with the gift of concealing their modernness and appearing natural in unfamiliar garb – e gift shared to a remarkable degree by the host of ‘supers’ used to people the scenes. If American directors only had the same supply at their disposal, what a blessing it would be.” (“The New York Dramatic Mirror”, 11/11/1914)