Cleopatra (1963)
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A young queen faces the overwhelming power of the Roman Empire in a grand historical epic.
The story
Following the Battle of Pharsalus in 48 BC, Julius Caesar arrives in Egypt under the pretext of being named the executor of the will of the young Pharaoh Ptolemy XIII's father. Ptolemy and his sister, Cleopatra, are embroiled in a civil war, and Cleopatra has been driven from the city of Alexandria. To reclaim her throne, Cleopatra convinces Caesar to intervene. As Caesar takes control of the kingdom, he punishes her enemies and establishes her as the queen of Egypt. The film follows her journey as she navigates the complex political landscape of the era while attempting to maintain her sovereignty against the encroaching ambitions of Rome.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
After the Battle of Pharsalus in 48 BC, Julius Caesar arrives in Egypt to mediate a civil war between the young Pharaoh Ptolemy XIII and his sister, Cleopatra. Cleopatra convinces Caesar to restore her throne, and she is crowned queen. The two form an alliance, and a son, Caesarion, is born. Following Caesar's assassination on the Ides of March, a power vacuum leads to a conflict between Octavian, Mark Antony, and the Egyptian forces. Antony and Cleopatra begin a passionate affair, eventually leading to a joint campaign against the Roman forces. After the defeat at the Battle of Actium, the two lovers retreat to Egypt. Following the death of Antony, Cleopatra is cornered by Octavian's forces. She chooses to commit suicide with an asp to avoid capture, while Octavian finds her body in her tomb, dressed in gold.
- First release year
- 1963
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Joseph L. Mankiewicz
- Writers
- Joseph L. Mankiewicz · screenplay; Ranald MacDougall · screenplay; Sidney Buchman · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Elizabeth Taylor · Cleopatra; Richard Burton · Mark Antony; Rex Harrison · Julius Caesar; Roddy McDowall · Octavian
- Genres
- epic; historical drama; biographical drama; romance
- Themes
- Power; Ambition; Love; Sacrifice
- Tone and mood
- Epic; Grand; Dramatic
- Premise and plot tags
- Historical; Biographical; War; Romance
- Reception
- The film received a generally favorable response from American film critics, but an unfavorable one in Europe. It was noted for its physical opulence and scale, though some critics found it to be a 'ponderous' or 'muddled' affair. It was a major commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1963.
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Art Direction (Color) · Win; Academy Award · Best Cinematography (Color) · Win; Academy Award · Best Visual Effects · Win; Academy Award · Best Costume Design (Color) · Win; Academy Award · Best Picture · Nomination
- Production trivia
- The film was the most expensive film ever made up to that point.; Elizabeth Taylor won a Guinness World Record for the most costume changes in a film (65).
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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