Asterix vs. Caesar

A French animated film. The narrative is set in Gaul under Roman occupation. One village still holds out; the reason is a potion that makes whoever drinks it briefly very strong. In this film two young people leave the village. Falbala and Tragicomix are in love, and both are taken by the Romans; one is forced into the legion, the other held to be sent to Caesar. Asterix and Obelix go after them. First they join the legion, then they go to Africa, then they end up in the arena. The last section is in the arena. Caesar wants a spectacle in front of the crowd; what he gets is not the spectacle he planned. What the narrative is interested in is not history but the comedy of institutions: the bureaucracy of the Roman army, the training camp, the parade and the arena are used as a criticism of organisations. It was compiled from two separate comic albums and made into a single story; that is why the transitions between sections are abrupt. The visual style is kept close to the comics and the colours are bright. Roger Carel is among the French voices; he voiced Asterix for many years. Gaëtan and Paul Brizzi directed. Who it is for: anyone who knows the Asterix albums and likes classic European animation. Who it is not for: anyone who does not know them; the narrative introduces nobody and some of the jokes want familiarity with the series.