Cleopatra

Cleopatra is a 1963 historical epic directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz for 20th Century Fox. Elizabeth Taylor plays Cleopatra VII Philopator, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. The film begins in 48 BCE, when Julius Caesar arrives in Alexandria during a succession dispute between Cleopatra and her younger brother, Ptolemy XIII. Cleopatra secretly enters the palace inside a rolled carpet, a famous scene adapted from ancient accounts that describe her being smuggled to Caesar. She persuades him to support her claim, and their political alliance becomes a personal relationship. Caesar helps defeat Ptolemy’s forces in the Alexandrian War, restoring Cleopatra to power.

The story then moves to Rome, where Cleopatra visits Caesar with their son, Caesarion. Her grand public appearance in the capital alarms Roman politicians because Caesar’s authority and plans appear increasingly monarchic. After Caesar is assassinated in 44 BCE, Cleopatra returns to Egypt. The film’s second half centers on her relationship with Mark Antony, played by Richard Burton. Their alliance develops after Antony summons her to Tarsus to answer for her political position. Cleopatra arrives on a lavish barge, and the meeting leads to a partnership shaped by romance, military strategy, and the rivalry between Antony and Octavian.

Cleopatra and Antony establish their eastern court in Alexandria and have three children, Alexander Helios, Cleopatra Selene, and Ptolemy Philadelphus. Their enemies in Rome exploit the relationship as evidence that Antony has abandoned Roman interests. The conflict culminates in the naval Battle of Actium in 31 BCE, where Octavian’s forces defeat Antony and Cleopatra. They retreat to Alexandria, but Octavian follows. After Antony receives false news that Cleopatra has died, he fatally wounds himself. Cleopatra later dies by suicide, traditionally associated with an asp, although the film depicts her death through a concealed snake.

The production became famous for its extraordinary cost and upheaval. Filming started in London in 1960, but Taylor became seriously ill, and the production moved to Rome after the original sets and footage were abandoned. Mankiewicz substantially rewrote the screenplay and filmed vast amounts of material. Taylor’s salary, reported as one million dollars plus a percentage of the profits, made her the first performer to receive that amount for a film role. Burton and Taylor’s real life affair attracted intense publicity during production. Although Cleopatra received mixed critical responses, it earned four Academy Awards, including Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, and Best Special Effects. Its elaborate sets, costumes, and performances made it one of Hollywood’s most recognizable historical spectacles.