The 1963 Cleopatra film starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton is one of those movies most people know about. It wasn’t just extremely expensive to make; it also sparked the famous love affair between Taylor and Burton and showcased their popular onscreen partnership.
SUMMARY (SPOILERS)
The film condenses nearly 20 years of Cleopatra’s life into its four-hour run time. In 48 BC, Julius Caesar arrives in Rome to mediate a dispute between the Egyptian queen and her brother. Cleopatra convinces Caesar to help her become the sole ruler of Egypt. They start an affair and have a son, Caesarion. Inspired by his birth, Cleopatra dreams of building a world empire.
Cleopatra travels to Rome but faces hostility due to her influence over Caesar. She meets Marc Antony, one of Caesar’s generals, who helps her return to Egypt after Caesar’s assassination. Though Caesar names Octavian as his successor, the Roman Republic is divided among Octavian, Lepidus, and Marc Antony. Eventually, Octavian and Marc Antony push Lepidus out, leading to a power struggle. Antony seeks support from Egypt, reigniting his affair with Cleopatra, which ultimately leads to their mutual downfall.
CLEOPATRA MOVIE REVIEW
As someone who loves classic films and epic historical dramas, I always hope that poor reviews are wrong. Unfortunately, with Cleopatra, I must agree with many who see it as an overblown spectacle. Its length drags on without enough compelling story or action to keep the audience engaged.
Rex Harrison performs well as Julius Caesar, but there’s no chemistry between him and Elizabeth Taylor’s Cleopatra. He only appears in the first part of the film. Roddy McDowell’s portrayal of Octavian is strong enough to have earned an Oscar nomination, but a mistake by his studio prevented it.
Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton were a public sensation, but their performances don’t live up to the hype. Taylor shows her talent in certain scenes, such as when she believes Marc Antony has betrayed her, but her portrayal often swings between a manipulative seductress and an ambitious queen, with some overly dramatic moments. Richard Burton, reputedly an excellent actor, disappoints as Marc Antony, making the powerful general seem like a lovesick pawn rather than a formidable warrior.
Nevertheless, Taylor and Burton’s chemistry is undeniable, though it takes quite a while before their characters share screen time.
SETS AND COSTUMES
Despite its flaws, Cleopatra impresses with its stunning sets and costumes, even if they aren’t historically accurate. The visual appeal of the settings and costumes enhances Taylor’s on-screen presence.
The film does touch on true historical events, though it condenses the timeline and embellishes the actions and motives of its characters for dramatic effect.
OVERALL IMPRESSION
Cleopatra demonstrates that bigger isn’t always better. Given its massive budget and the high-profile talent involved, expectations were understandably high. However, the film falls short of even being simply entertaining. Still, it holds a memorable place in film history, making it worth watching at least once to understand its lasting fame.
Content Note: There are some battle scenes with mild violence and a few instances of female nudity, though nothing explicit.
Where to Watch: You can rent or buy it on digital platforms and DVD.
Are you a fan of historical epics? Do you love the Cleopatra film? What is your favorite Cleopatra movie? Let me know in the comments.
