Asterix Versus Caesar
| Company type | Animated film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film, Animation |
| Founded | December 1985 |
| Founder | René Goscinny, Albert Uderzo, Pierre Tchernia (screenplay writers) |
| Products | Animated film |
| Parent | Dargaud Films, Les Productions René Goscinny |
Asterix Versus Caesar (titled Astérix et la surprise de César in France) is a 1985 French animated film blending adventure and comedy. The screenplay was crafted by René Goscinny, Albert Uderzo, and Pierre Tchernia, with production handled by Dargaud Films alongside Les Productions René Goscinny. Premiering in France in December 1985, the movie combines elements from the comics Asterix the Gladiator and Asterix the Legionary. It narrates the tale of Asterix and Obelix embarking on a mission to free two villagers abducted by Roman forces. The soundtrack's principal song, Astérix est là, was created and performed by Plastic Bertrand. Subsequently, a film companion book featuring still images was republished by Orion Publishing during the comic series' reissue.
Plot
To honor Julius Caesar's victories, Rome organizes lavish celebrations, including a gladiatorial event overseen by Caius Fatuous. Meanwhile, in Gaul, Obelix becomes enamored with Panacea, who is the niece of Chief Vitalstatistix; she arrives accompanied by her fiancé Tragicomix. When Roman soldiers seize both Panacea and Tragicomix, Asterix and Obelix spearhead an attack on the local Roman garrison. Discovering that their friends have been transferred to an outpost in the Sahara desert, the duo enlists in the Roman legion to continue their pursuit.
Upon reaching the desert frontier, they find that Panacea and Tragicomix have escaped but were subsequently sold into slavery in Rome. After securing passage to the city, they learn Caius has purchased them for his spectacle. A confrontation unfolds at a bathhouse where Asterix is captured; Obelix later frees him from imprisonment. Meanwhile, Dogmatix retrieves Asterix’s lost magic potion from beneath the city’s sewers.
Following Caesar’s command, Caius intends to present Panacea and Tragicomix during the grand finale at the Colosseum. Asterix and Obelix become gladiators themselves, disrupting events by winning races and besting their adversaries. With Dogmatix arriving just in time and aided by the magic potion, they defeat lions released to kill them. In the ensuing chaos, Obelix inadvertently damages part of the Colosseum.
Caesar, impressed by their valor, grants freedom to the Gauls and punishes Caius by condemning him to be devoured by lions. Upon returning to their village, Asterix and his companions are celebrated with a victorious feast. Despite the jubilation, Asterix quietly contemplates his growing affection for Panacea.
Cast
| Character | Original Dub | English Dub | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original Dub | English Dub | ||
| Astérix | Asterix | Roger Carel | Jack Beaber |
| Idéfix | Dogmatix | Roger Carel | |
| Obélix | Obelix | Pierre Tornade | Billy Kearns |
| Caius Obtus | Caius Fatuous | Pierre Mondy | Allan Wenger (Caius Flabius) |
| Jules César | Julius Caesar | Serge Sauvion | Gordon Heath |
| Panoramix | Getafix | Henri Labussière | Robert Watson Barr |
| Briseradius | Insalubrius | Roger Lumont | Patrick Floersheim (Dubious Status) |
| Abraracourcix | Vitalstatistix | Jean-Pierre Darras | Bertie Cortez |
| Falbala | Panacea | Séverine Morisot (speaking) Danielle Licari (singing) |
Patricia Kessler |
| Hotelterminus | Nefarius Purpus | Henri Poirier | Edward Marcus (uncredited) Arch Taylor |
| Le décurion Superbus | Incautius | Patrick Préjean | James Shuman |
| Le centurion Vapetimus | Felix Platypus | Michel Barbet | Jerry Di Giacomo (Garrulus Rumpus) |
| Terminus | Pierre Tchernia | Sean O'Neil | |
| Le cuisinier romain | Roman Cook | Pierre Mirat | Arch Taylor |
| Cétautomatix | Fulliautomatix | Unknown | Steve Gadler |
| L'annonceur du Colisée | Coliseum Announcer | José Luccioni | Paul Barrett |
| Ordralfabétix | Unhygienix | Unknown | Bill Doherty |
| Farfelus | Hasan Ben Washed | Philippe Dumat | Mostéfa Stiti |
| Bandit du désert | Desert Bandit | Michel Gatineau | Ken Starcevic |
| Un garde du corps de Caius Obtus aux thermes | Bodyguard of Caius at the Baths | Robert Ground | |
| Romain dans le camp du désert | Roman in the Desert Camp | Henri Poirier | Thomas M. Pollard |
| Tragicomix | Thierry Ragueneau | Mike Marshall | |
| Le présentateur des cadeaux | Presenter of Gifts | Nicolas Silberg | Peter Semler |
| Agecanonix | Geriatrix | Unknown | Stuart Seide |
Additional Voices
- Original Version: Yves Barsacq, Edmond Bernard, Peter Wollasch
- English Version: Bill Dunn, Christian Erickson, Norman Stockle, Derry Hall
Uncredited Roles
- Original Version: Alain Coutey (Additional Voices), Roger Barbet (Additional Voices)
Home Media
The movie was made available on VHS by Celebrity Home Entertainment in 1990. Later, in 2006, it was issued on a Region 2 DVD as a component of a collection featuring animated Asterix movies.
Television
During early 2005, the film drew an audience of 320,000 viewers in the UK, placing it ninth among the most viewed foreign-language films broadcast on UK television within that timeframe.
External links
- Articles with short description
- 1985 films
- 1985 animated films
- 1985 children's films
- 1980s French animated films
- 1980s French-language films
- 1980s adventure comedy films
- French animated comedy films
- Asterix films
- Animated films set in ancient Rome
- Films about gladiatorial combat
- Animated films based on French comics
- French children's films
- Films about Julius Caesar
- Films based on multiple works of a series
- Films directed by Paul and Gaëtan Brizzi
- Films scored by Vladimir Cosma
- 1980s children's animated films
- Films with screenplays by Pierre Tchernia
- Animated films set in the Sahara
- Films set in the Colosseum
- Animated films set in Rome
- Gaumont (company) films
- Gaumont Film Company animated films