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Features: DVD
Richard Burton, Rex Harrison and Elizabeth Taylor star in one of the greatest screen spectacles ever made - the story of the Queen of the Nile and her love affairs with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. The film is distinguished by superb performances from Burton and Harrison (nominated for an Oscar), but at its center is Elizabeth Taylor in one of the most glamorous roles of her career. Astounding in scope and grandeur, the picture won Oscars for cinematography, sets and special effects. It's famous moments include moviedom's most flamboyant entrance - Cleopatra's dazzling arrival in Rome. Bolstered by a talented supporting cast and utterly stunning backdrops, here is a truly epic portrayal of the woman who conquered two of Rome's greatest soldiers, affected the course of history, and became synonymous with beguiling beauty - Cleopatra.System Requirements:Running Time: 248 min.Format: DVD MOVIE
"Taylor, Burton and Harrison are sublime..." Austin Chronicle
"One of the great epic films of our day." Bosley Crowther, The New York Times
"...a great motion picture that will stand the test of time." BoxOffice Magazine
"Good acting, especially by Harrison and McDowall." Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide
"Physically exquisite with some smart dialogue for all involved." The Motion Picture Guide
Editor's Note
This epic, spectacular love story of Egyptian queen Cleopatra and the Roman leaders Julius Caesar and Marc Antony has dazzled audiences with its elaborate sets, daring costumes, and thrilling sea battle since its release, but these can't compare with Elizabeth Taylor as the mesmerizing Cleopatra, struggling to save her Egyptian empire. When this film was released, it was known as much for its opulent filmmaking as it was for its huge budget overruns--it took two years to film because of Taylor's various ailments and a major script rewrite by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, moving the shooting studio from England to Italy, and replacing the original director and the actors to play the Roman leaders--as well as the very public and tempestuous offscreen affair between costars Taylor and Richard Burton, who duplicated their romance on the silver screen as the doomed Cleopatra and her true love, Marc Antony. Despite all the hubbub surrounding the film, audiences realized that its spectacular story could not be denied, and it has remained a classic ever since. The triple-star power of Taylor, Burton, and Rex Harrison (playing Julius Caesar) radiates throughout this lengthy production, and Mankiewicz, a consummate magician at depicting the shadings of human emotion, directed this threesome in one of the most famous and gloriously powerful love triangles ever to be captured on film.
Plot Summary
CLEOPATRA is a lengthy, sprawling, spectacular love story, helmed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, depicting Cleopatra's manipulation of Julius Caesar and Marc Antony in her ill-fated attempt to save the Egyptian empire. The lavish, stunning production stars Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in legendary on- (as well as off-) screen performances.
| Features | Interactive Menus | | Scene Selection |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: Foxvideo |
| Release Date: 1/30/2007 |
| Running Time: 248 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 1963 | | Catalog ID: 2232453 | | UPC: 00024543224518 | | Number of Discs: 2 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English | | Video: Color |
Aspect Ratio | | Widescreen 2.35:1 |
| Cast & Crew
| Awards |
Oscar (1964) | | | Alex North, Nominee, Best Music, Score - Substantially Original | | | Dorothy Spencer, Nominee, Best Film Editing |  | Emil Kosa, Jr., Winner, Best Special Visual Effects | | Herman A. Blumenthal, et al., Winner, Best Art Direction/Set Decoration | | | James Corcoran, Fred Hynes, Nominee, Best Sound | | Leon Shamroy, Winner, Best Cinematography (Color) | | | Rex Harrison, Nominee, Best Actor in a Leading Role | | Vittorio Nino Novarese, et al., Winner, Best Costume Design (Color) | | | Walter Wagner, Nominee, Best Picture |
| Memorable Quotes| "Your Roman generals become divine so quickly!"----Cleopatra (Elizabeth Taylor) to Julius Caesar (Rex Harrison) | | "Without you this isn't a world I want to live in----much less conquer."----Cleopatra to Marc Antony (Richard Burton) | | "You have a way of mixing politics and passion."----Julius Caesar to Cleopatra |
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| | Professional Reviews | Entertainment Weekly
"...[A] gaudy-gorgeous pageant..." 04/13/2001 p.53 |
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