The first film version of the play with sound, it was produced and directed by David Bradley using actors from the Chicago area.

[1] Heston, who had known Bradley since his youth, and who was establishing himself in television and theater in New York City, portrayed Mark Antony.

The 16 mm film was shot in 1949 on several locations around the Chicago area, including Soldier Field, the Museum of Science and Industry, the Field Museum of Natural History, the downtown post office, and the Elks National Veterans Memorial.

After its premiere in Evanston in 1950, the film had only a limited distribution in the United States, where it was mainly shown in schools and colleges.

In 1951, it played at the Edinburgh International Film Festival,[5] then opened in New York City in late 1952.