The 1963 film “Cleopatra,” featuring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, is a well-known cinematic work. Not only did it set records as one of the most expensive films ever made, but it also became famous for sparking the real-life romance between its lead actors, Taylor and Burton.
Summary (Spoilers)
The movie compresses almost twenty years of Cleopatra’s life into a four-hour spectacle. It starts in 48 BC with Julius Caesar arriving in Rome to mediate between Cleopatra and her brother, with whom she is co-ruling Egypt. Cleopatra convinces Caesar to help her reclaim the throne as the sole ruler, and they begin an affair, resulting in a son named Caesarion. This birth fuels Cleopatra’s ambition to create a world empire.
Eventually, Cleopatra travels to Rome, where she faces unpopularity due to her influence over Caesar. After Caesar’s assassination, she returns to Egypt with the help of Marc Antony, Caesar’s general.
Despite Caesar naming Octavian as his successor, Rome’s power is divided among Octavian, Lepidus, and Marc Antony. Octavian and Antony eventually weaken Lepidus’s influence, and Antony seeks Cleopatra’s aid in Egypt. They fall in love, leading to their ultimate downfall.
Cleopatra Movie Review
As an enthusiast of classic films and historical dramas, I had high hopes for “Cleopatra.” Sadly, this film aligns with many critiques calling it an overly long and extravagant spectacle. Its extended run time loses audience engagement due to a lack of compelling narrative and high-intensity action.
The star power of actors like Rex Harrison (Julius Caesar) and Roddy McDowall (Octavian) is not enough to save the film from poor direction and editing. Harrison’s chemistry with Taylor is lackluster, and McDowall’s commendable performance was unfortunately not properly recognized due to an error by his studio.
Despite Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton’s widely publicized off-screen relationship, their performances were disappointing. Taylor’s portrayal of Cleopatra fluctuates between a manipulative seductress and an ambitious queen but often falls into exaggerated theatrics. Burton’s take on Marc Antony presents him as a lovesick follower, rather than the powerful general he historically was. Their chemistry, although strong, takes too long to materialize within the film.
Sets and Costumes
One of the few redeeming qualities of “Cleopatra” is its stunning sets and costumes, which were visually impressive, although not historically accurate. These elements significantly enhance Elizabeth Taylor’s onscreen presence and add to the film’s visual appeal.
Overall Impression
“Cleopatra” demonstrates that bigger isn’t always better. Despite its massive budget and talented cast and crew, the film falls short of expectations. Nevertheless, its place in cinematic history makes it worth watching at least once for its cultural significance. Viewer discretion is advised due to mild violence in battle scenes and some non-explicit nudity.
Considering its historical context and ambition, “Cleopatra” remains a memorable if flawed piece of film history. If you’re a fan of historical epics, you might appreciate seeing it despite its shortcomings.
