Asterix Versus Caesar (also known in France as Astérix et la surprise de César) is a 1985 French animated adventure comedy film, written by René Goscinny, Albert Uderzo and Pierre Tchernia, produced by Dargaud Films and Les Productions René Goscinny, and released in France originally in December 1985. The film's story sees Asterix and his friend Obelix set off to rescue two lovers from their village that have been kidnapped by the Romans.
The film is the fourth film adaptation of the Asterix comic book series, but features an original story combining the plots of Asterix the Gladiator and Asterix the Legionary, both written by Goscinny. The film's main theme song, Astérix est là, was composed and performed by Plastic Bertrand. A book of the film, containing stills, was released following the film's release, and was later reprinted by Orion Publishing when it re-released the entire comic series.
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Plot
To honour Julius Caesar's successful campaigns of conquest, gifts are brought to Rome from across the Roman Empire and Caesar orders Caius Fatuous, head of a prominent gladiator school, to provide him with a grand show. In Gaul Asterix notices his friend Obelix has begun acting strangely. Getafix reveals he is in love with Panacea, Chief Vitalstatistix's niece. Attempting to win her affection, Obelix becomes distraught when she is reunited with Tragicomix, a younger and handsome man (the son of a neighbouring chieftain) who intends to marry her. Seeking to spend time together, the two lovers venture out into nearby woods, only to be ambushed by a group of Romans, led by a fresh recruit hoping to make a good impression.
