Genre: Epic/Historical/War
Director: Christopher Nolan
Writers: John Malone & Chad Taylor
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, Cillian Murphy, Uma Thurman, Douglas Booth, Steve Coogan, Will Poulter, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Jeremy Irons, Martin Donovan
Plot: The Year is 75 BC. Julius Caesar (Leonardo DiCaprio) is sailing across the Aegean Sea with a few assistants from Rhodes toward Anatolia where he will begin his political career. As Caesar adjusts the sails, the boat is overtaken by a group of Cicilian pirates. They force Caesar and his assistants onto their boat before sinking his. The pirates bring them back to their camp on the tiny island of Farmakonisi, where they inform Caesar that he will need to make arrangements to have his assistants collect 20 talents of silver as ransom for his release. Caesar laughs at the small number they have in mind, suggesting they demand 50 talents of silver instead. The pirates are dumbfounded at the notion that a prisoner would negotiate for a higher ransom, but agree and send Caesar's assistants to Anatolia with a few of the pirates as escorts to collect the ransom. Caesar is clearly not afraid of the pirates. When they inquire why, he tells them that soon, once the ransom is paid, he will have them captured and crucified. The pirates laugh off the threat as a joke.
As soon as Caesar's assistants return with 50 talents of silver, the pirates release Caesar. As he leaves the island, he assures the pirates that he meant what he said before. He hastily sails to Anatolia and brings word of the pirate menace to the governor there, Marcus Junctus (Martin Donovan). Caesar asks for a naval fleet to come with him back to Farmakonisi to capture all the pirates and see them punished. Junctus laughs at the demands of the young Caesar in front of him, insisting he is not going to risk his city's military over a grudge worth 50 talents of silver. Angered, but undeterred, Caesar marches down to the docks and finds a group of sailors willing to come with him back to the island to capture the pirates under the promise that the sailors can keep any goods they take off the pirates.
Caesar and his makeshift naval fleet quickly capture all of the pirates on Farmakonisi and bring them back to Anatolia. Caesar tells Junctus that he wants to have the men officially crucified, but Junctus refuses as he could easily sell the men off as slaves instead. Caesar heads down to the prison where the pirates are being held and informs the guards that he is going to crucify his prisoners. The guards looks at each other, confused, before releasing the pirates into his custody. Caesar then convinces the guards to help him in the process of crucifixion as it is more than a one man job. Along the coast Caesar and the guards nail each pirate to a wooden cross. As they scream in agony, Caesar reminds the pirates that he told them this would happen. Then, to cease the screams, Caesar grabs a sword from one of the guards and slashes each of the pirate's throats. Caesar hands the sword back to the guard and rinses his hands off in the waters of the sea.
In 53 BC, Marcus Crassus (Jeremy Irons) looks out horrified upon a desert littered with the corpses and wounded bodies of his Roman soldiers. After receiving poor information about the preparedness of his enemies in the Parthian Empire, Crassus now faces the infamy of one of the biggest defeats in the history of the Roman Empire. His camp receives word from the Parthians of a proposed peace truce that would allow the few remaining Romans to retreat to Syria without taking any more losses. Aware of the stain this will have on his reputation compared to Pompey and Caesar, Crassus is reluctant to meet with the Parthians but his soldiers confront him and say they will mutiny if he does not. Crassus reluctantly accepts to meet with them.
At dawn, Crassus and a few of his men ride in to a neutral location to meet with the Parthians. Upon arriving, Crassus’s lieutenants become suspicious that this is a trap. They go to grab Crassus’s horse by the bridle to prevent it from fully entering but this causes the horse to be apprehensive and Crasuss is accidentally dismounted. This raises tensions exponentially and the two sides begin to fight. Eventually, Crassus takes a sword to the chest and is mortally wounded. As he is struggling for his last breaths, the Parthians bring over a pot of molten gold and declare “For The Richest Man in Rome”, before pouring the gold down his throat.
In Gaul, the Gallic Wars are wrapping up under Caesar’s watch. Mark Antony (Douglas Booth) delivers the news of Crassus’s death to Caesar and then ends with the rumor that his corpse was beheaded and his head was used as a prop in a Parthian play. Caesar is devastated by this news. Antony then tells him that the Senate has requested both him and Pompey send a legion each to Parthia to help replenish the fight there. He agrees. In Rome, Pompey Magnus (Russell Crowe) receives the news and is told about the loss of legionary eagles in Syria, which is humiliating for the republic. Pompey, worried about Caesar’s growing power and reputation out west, calls for an emergency meeting of the Senate in hopes of declaring himself sole consul in the wake of Crassus’s death and Caesar’s absence.
When Caesar hears that Pompey is back in Rome making a play at what sounds like a dictatorship, he asks Antony to head to Rome on his behalf while he wraps things up in Gaul. Antony is surprised by the task and asks what Caesar what he expects. Caesar asks that Antony make an appeal to the Senate to ease tensions. Antony is skeptical that the Senate will listen to him. Caesar confesses that he doesn't expect the Senate to necessarily listen to Antony or do anything he requests, but it will afford him a little extra time to formulate a plan of action.
Mark Antony arrives in Rome and immediately makes his way to the Roman Forum. When he enters the chambers, Cato the Younger (Cillian Murphy) seems immediately offended that Caesar has sent his errand boy to address the Senate rather than coming himself. Cato suggests to the other senators that they should just strip Caesar of his command and brought back to Rome as a citizen for pulling such a stunt. Antony comments that it would only be fair if the same would apply to Pompey, and hints that Caesar could be willing to agree to such a compromise. Cato demands that Antony and Caesar leave Pompey out of this discussion, proclaiming that Rome would be lucky to be under Pompey's rule as opposed to a potential tyrant like Caesar. Antony accuses Cato of dirty politicking. At this accusation, Cato yells for guards to come and remove Antony from the Forum, encouraging them to use force if Antony does not comply. Antony shakes off the guards grip and leaves the Forum under his own power. Cicero (Steve Coogan) pulls Cato aside after he has calmed down and says that should have gone better than it did. Cato defiantly proclaims that Caesar's Triumvirate died with Crassus and with it died Caesar's rise to power. Cicero urges Cato to be careful with who he makes enemies with.
Cato and a group of Roman centurions pay a visit to Antony not long after. They tell Antony to inform Caesar that he is ordered to end his consulship in Gaul and return to Rome - without his legion. Antony returns to Caesar's camp in Gaul and passes along Cato's message. Caesar comments that if Cato wants a fight, a fight he will receive.
Cato walks down a street in conversation with Servilia (Uma Thurman). They discuss the work of her son, Brutus, who has been working as Cato’s assistant. Servilia says that her son has his eyes set on running for pontifex, a priest who maintains Rome’s relationship with the gods. Cato says that he is impressed by Brutus’s ambition and that he will have Cato’s full support in those future endeavors. Just then, Brutus (Will Poulter) approaches with reports of rumors that Caesar is continuing to defy orders and planning to march south with his legion. Cato is irate and ready to call Caesar’s bluff, saying that as prideful as Caesar is, he won’t commit a capital offense of this magnitude. As Cato hurries off, Brutus asks his mother if she thinks Caesar will really bring his army into Rome. Servilia cracks a sly smile.
At his home, Pompey is preparing for bed when he hears a crowd approaching. This makes him initially cower in fear as he gets flashbacks to the day of Julia’s death. Instead, he is surprised to find that it is a supportive crowd. A well-respected Roman Senator steps forward with a large sword and presents it to Pompey. “We charge you to march against Caesar and save the Republic.” Pompey does not immediately respond. After a beat, he says “I will, if there is no other way” and his republican supporters erupt into cheers.
In Gaul, Calpurnia (Daisy Edgar-Jones) arrives to be at her husband’s side. She lets him know that the stalemate has led to the Senate resorting to what is known as the Final Act, a special order used in times of emergency that ratify all other laws. In this case, Pompey has been chosen to lead the republic during this time of uncertainty. Caesar shakes his head in disbelief. He reminds her what is at stake here: the Republicans in Senate want to strip him of his consulship because he has the largest army in Rome, most of whom are ready to retire and return to Rome with a promise of land - the very precedent Pompey set years earlier. But with land also comes a vote and that is what they truly fear: the support that he has built - by hand - over the last decade. He kisses his wife and tells her to trust him in the coming months.
He stands before his legion and begins to tell a story from weeks prior. As they all know, the Republic have been struggling in Parthia. Cicero, in an attempt at playing peacemaker, requested that Pompey and Caesar each send one legion to help the fight in the Parthian War. Caesar, wanting to honor his late friend, agreed. “Do you know what Pompey did?” he asks as the soldiers murmur. Pompey requested that his part of the deal be a legion that he had loaned to Caesar six years prior, meaning that Caesar would essentially be sending two legions and Pompey none. “He wanted me to send a fifth of my men, who have valiantly fought to uphold the name of the Roman Republic in Gaul, and risk their lives out East while his men relaxed under the Spanish sun.” The crowd grows angry at Pompey’s actions but Caesar begins to laugh and says that he can beat the “most respected general” at his own game. Out rides that very legion, who have defied Pompey’s commands and will instead support Caesar in his conquest towards Rome.
Caesar and his legion approach the northern border of Italy at the small Rubicon River. They pause on the banks of the Gaul side, where Antony approaches Caesar and says there is no turning back if they go forward. Caesar looks at his reflection in the water for a moment of quiet peace before leading his horse into the water and turning around to his legion to loudly proclaim: “the die has been cast”.
Caesar and his legion begin marching toward Rome. The first city in their path is Ariminum. Caesar and Antony are both surprised when they are faced with zero resistance from the locals, with them instead pledging their allegiance to Caesar. Caesar is bit disappointed to not have a battle, so he tells the governor of Ariminum to send a messenger to Rome. The governor asks what the message should be. Caesar says that the message should inform Rome that the city has fallen to his forces and that Caesar and his legion will be on their way to Rome shortly. The governor complies and sends a messenger off toward Rome. Caesar tells his men to rest up and enjoy themselves that evening for they will be continuing their long march in the morning.
In Rome, the message is received by the Roman Senate and Pompey. The senate discusses what to do among themselves. Some think that they should all stay in Rome to help govern the populace, but others are sure that they will all be slaughtered once Caesar inevitably reach the Forum. Cicero proposes sending messengers to Caesar to negotiate their own safety from his legion. Cato interjects, vehemently saying that he will never negotiate with Caesar and would take his own life before ever stooping to such a pitiful act. Cato then asks Pompey if there is enough time to prepare a larger force to defend Rome from Caesar. Pompey shakes his head no. Unable to come to a decision, they look to Pompey as their new leader and ask him what should be done. Pompey agrees with Cato that negotiation is not the answer as it would make them appear inferior to Caesar. He tells them that he will leave Rome and make his way to Campania. There, he will be able to recruit more soldiers and prepare for a war against Caesar and his legion.
Cicero, unwilling to bet against Caesar again, sends his own messenger to go to Caesar and request a negotiation between Caesar, Pompey and the Senate. Cato arrives at Cicero's home and tries to convince him to join the rest of the Senate in staying by Pompey's side. Cicero calls that plan a death sentence. Cicero tells Cato that he's going to look out for his own best interests and stay as far away from battle as he can. Cato calls Cicero a coward and storms off.
Caesar’s legions nears Rome and he is paid a visit by Servilia, who he is happy to see. They briefly catch up and, afterwards, he goes to kiss her but she pulls back and says she has another visitor. Brutus enters and Servilia introduces the two of them. She says that she has to go but that he knows where to find her, with a wink. Brutus is star-struck upon Caesar and says that he is honored to be in his presence. Caesar asks what Brutus does and learns of his job with Cato. This brings an immediate apprehension to Caesar’s posture but Brutus says that Pompey killed multiple of his relatives so he will not side with him. He then reveals that he has some of Cato’s strategic plans that he is willing to give to Caesar. Julius smiles and asks why Brutus would be willing to sell out his boss like that. Brutus pauses and then says that, after talks with his mother, that he has always suspected that Caesar is his father. Caesar maintains his smile and thanks Brutus for the vital intel but harshly rejects the notion that he is his son. He walks Brutus out and mentions that Brutus’s mother has laid with many men in Rome so surely his real father is out there somewhere.
Weeks later, the war is officially underway and Caesar’s army is struggling. His legion quickly approaches the city of Dyrrhachium, the place that Brutus revealed is a major source of Pompey’s army’s resources. If they can cut off the supply, he will kneecap Pompey’s legion while gaining supplies. However, Pompey has received word and is able to make it to the town and fortify it before Caesar arrives. Caesar wants to fight but Pompey’s defensive position is unwilling to budge. At night, he paces back and forth as he reads a letter in his hand. He receives word that Caesar would like to meet with him one-on-one. His lieutenant advises against it but Pompey says he can hold his own with his old friend.
At a neutral location, Caesar gets straight to the point and asks why Pompey is avoiding battle. Pompey evades the question and sympathizes with Caesar over Crassus’s death before saying that he believes that has led to Caesar making irrational decisions. Caesar says that by avoiding battle, he will only prolong this stalemate and cause the locals here to turn against him. Pompey says that he is not here to negotiate with a criminal. Caesar takes a step forward and says he knows that Pompey is trying to subject Caesar’s army to a war of attrition but, unlike Pompey and his army, his men are the strongest and bravest in the world. Pompey takes a step back and says they will see if that ends up holding true. They fiercely peer into each other’s eyes as Pompey lifts up the letter in his hand and reveals it is a handwritten message from Julia. “I still miss her every day, you know,” Pompey says. “I know.”
As the days wear on, Caesar’s precarious camp location means his men must rely on forage to get by. Mark Antony approaches Caesar and says that he has received word that the local townspeople have grown hostile towards Pompey. Caesar is pleased to hear this and says that it is time to strike. However, it turns out to be an act of deception from Pompey to spread that false rumor and he capitalizes on the distraction to attack Caesar’s army from behind. His attrition strategy worked as Caesar’s men are unprepared and lack the energy to properly fend off the attack. Caesar and Antony initially lead their men in battle but are eventually forced to retreat. A look of elation is on Pompey’s face as he watches Caesar leave.
Pompey lays out the options for the war with Caesar to the members of the Senate who have accompanied him, including Cato. The first idea he mentions is to allow Caesar to flee and then build up a big enough army that Caesar would never dare engage again. Cato scoffs at that plan, insisting that if Pompey wants the respect of the people he will lead an attack on Caesar before he can make to Hispania where he is sure to have many allies. Pompey is indecisive until Cato begins screaming that now is not the time for introspection, now is the time to lay siege on Caesar's army and end the so-called civil war once and for all before Caesar takes any more of the empire from them. Pompey looks around at the other senators who nod their head in agreement with Cato.
Caesar and his men continue their withdrawal - Caesar is sure to never use the word retreat in front of his men - toward the east. In Apollonia, Caesar and his men stop to tend their battle wounds. Antony asks what the plan is going forward. Caesar tells Antony that he has received word that the city of Gomphi is loyal to them and will open its gates to them. Antony expresses relief as he confesses that morale is low with the men currently. Caesar bristles at such an idea. He stands before his resting men and assures them that things will turn around for them once they reach the gates of Gomphi. He promises them food, wine and women. The men cheer. When Caesar and his army arrive at the gates, the guards refuse them entry into the city. Caesar assures the guards that envoys from the city promised he and his men entry. The guards do not budge, stating the city magistrates have not allowed them to allow access to Caesar or his men. Caesar calmly tells the guards that refusing them entry will not end well for them, but the guards do not budge. Caesar gives Antony a nod. Antony then orders two men to hurl their javelins at the guards, impaling them. Caesar then orders his men to sack the city and take what was promised to them. Caesar watches on as his men break down the gates to the city and begin destroying everything in their sight. By the next morning, the city is a bloodbath, with Caesar's men having taken out their frustrations on the city by killing, plundering and raping. Antony is uneasy with how things went down, but Caesar comments that it should cure the soldiers' low morale for the time being. A few days later, following the trail of Caesar's army, Pompey and his army come upon the burnt, bloodied remains of the city of Gomph and its residents. Pompey is surprised by the destruction as it is uncharacteristic of Caesar's methodology.
Pompey and his legions finally catch up with Caesar in a valley outside of Pharsalus. Pompey's men take the higher ground and spread out to nearly surround the entire valley. Caesar sees Pompey's forces in position and laughs at his rival's conservative approach. Pompey tells his men not to attack unless attacked. Caesar orders a group of soldiers to stay hidden in their tents until the battle begins so that Pompey cannot see their total numbers. Caesar sends his first line of soldiers to attack Pompey's forces. Pompey then orders his cavalry men on horseback to push Caesar's forces back and pin them down closer to their camp. The hidden soldiers emerge from the tents when this happens and spear all of the horses and their riders. While this is happening, Caesar orders every single one of his men to attack at once. Disorganized and less battled-hardened, Pompey's forces begin to quickly fall to Caesar's army despite greatly outnumbering them. Pompey panics and flees back to camp. He gathers up his things and rides away from the war on his horse. Caesar's troops soon overrun Pompey's camp. Caesar is disappointed when he finds Pompey's tent deserted. Caesar looks out across the battlefield and sees it mostly littered with the bodies of Pompey's men. Realizing that he's won the battle, Caesar makes an offhand remark that he figured the war would be over with him holding Pompey's severed head, not with Pompey running away without his army like a scared rabbit.
Cato returns to his home in a state of disarray over Caesar’s imminent victory. He sits down to read Plato but becomes distracted halfway through. He puts down the book, grabs his sword, and shoves it into his own chest. He loudly falls to the ground, prompting his servants to rush into the room. One of them retrieves a physician, which causes a larger crowd of Cato’s camp to observe him on the ground. The physician quickly begins to place Cato’s bowels back into his body and sew him up. Cato slowly begins to regain consciousness and realizes that his blow was not fatal. He angrily begins to ask his servants what they are doing and begins to tear open the sewing. When the physician tries to intervene, Cato stops him and says he would rather die by his own sword than live under the rule of Julius Caesar. He starts to pull out his own bowels as the servants look on in horror, with Cato eventually succumbing to his injuries. Back in Rome, Servilia delivers this news to Brutus and he is devastated.
Pompey arrives in Egypt, where he hopes to secure a deal with King Ptolemy - a former client of his - to assist in the war with Caesar. When his ship gets within view of the Egyptian coast, a small fishing boat approaches with three men on board. One of the men tells Pompey’s crew that their ship it too big for coastal waters and that he will need to join them to meet the King. Pompey’s advisors and family are adamantly against this plan but he takes a long hard look at one of the men in the welcoming party and says that he will trust his gut. Pompey boards the boat alone and they begin a quiet ride to the shore. Pompey breaks the silence by turning to the man he was staring at earlier and asks if he was an old comrade of his in Rome. The man nods his head and Pompey smiles. When they reach the shore, one of the men gets off the boat and offers his hand to help Pompey. When Pompey takes it, his old comrade stabs him in the back and then the other two men proceed to stab him multiple times. “For Caesar.” Pompey crumbles to the sand lifeless as his ship looks on in horror.
In Greece, Mark Antony arrives in Caesar’s tent with urgent news. A party of Egyptian soldiers enter and bear him a gift: the head of Pompey Magnus. He looks stunned initially and orders everyone to leave the room immediately, including Antony. Caesar holds the head in his hands and tears begin rolling down his cheeks.
The film transitions to a victorious smile on Caesar’s face as he is anointed Dictator in Rome.
Back in Greece, Caesar sets the head down, closes Pompey’s eyes, and journeys out alone to the sea. He kneels down at the shore and washes his hands clean of Pompey’s blood. A grin slowly emerges on his face and he begins to laugh as he stares out into the sea.
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