Cleopatra (1963 movie) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cleopatra |
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| Directed by | Joseph L. Mankiewicz Rouben Mamoulian (uncredited; fired and replaced by Mankiewicz) Darryl F. Zanuck (uncredited) |
| Produced by | Walter Wanger |
| Screenplay by | Joseph L. Mankiewicz Ranald MacDougall Sidney Buchman Ben Hecht (uncredited) |
| Narrated by | Ben Wright |
| Starring | Elizabeth Taylor Richard Burton Rex Harrison Roddy McDowall Martin Landau Hume Cronyn George Cole Kenneth Haigh |
| Music by | Alex North |
| Cinematography | Leon Shamroy Jack Hildyard (uncredited) |
| Editing by | Dorothy Spencer Elmo Williams (uncredited) |
| Studio | MCL Films S.A. Walwa Films S.A. |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
| Release date(s) | 12 June 1963 (New York, premiere) 31 July 1963 (United Kingdom) |
| Running time | 192 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom United States Switzerland |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $44 million |
| Money made | $57,777,778 (US) |
Cleopatra is a famous historical drama movie released in 1963. It tells the story of Cleopatra VII, the last pharaoh of ancient Egypt. This movie is known for its huge scale and amazing sets. It stars Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra, Richard Burton as Mark Antony, and Rex Harrison as Julius Caesar.
The film was directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. When it was made, Cleopatra was the most expensive movie ever produced. It cost a lot of money to create the detailed ancient world. Even though it earned a lot at the box office, it struggled to make back its massive budget. The movie won four Academy Awards for its technical achievements. These included awards for Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, and Best Visual Effects.
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The Story of Cleopatra
Cleopatra is an epic movie that takes viewers back to ancient Egypt and Rome. It follows the life of Cleopatra, a powerful and intelligent queen. She tries to protect her kingdom from the growing power of the Roman Empire.
Cleopatra and Julius Caesar
The story begins when Julius Caesar, a famous Roman general, arrives in Egypt. He gets involved in a fight for the Egyptian throne. Cleopatra uses her cleverness and charm to win Caesar's support. She becomes the queen of Egypt with his help.
Their relationship helps Cleopatra keep Egypt independent. They even have a son together. However, Caesar is later assassinated in Rome. This event changes everything for Cleopatra and her kingdom.
Cleopatra and Mark Antony
After Caesar's death, Rome is led by new powerful figures. One of them is Mark Antony, another Roman general. Cleopatra forms a strong alliance with Antony. They work together to try and keep Egypt safe.
Their alliance leads to big conflicts with other Roman leaders. These battles decide the future of both Egypt and Rome. The movie shows how Cleopatra fights to keep her power and protect her people.
Making the Movie
Cleopatra was a huge project. It took many years to film and involved thousands of people. The movie was filmed in Italy and Spain. The filmmakers built incredible sets to look like ancient Egypt and Rome.
The Enormous Budget
The movie's budget was around $44 million. This was an unheard-of amount of money for a film in the 1960s. For example, the costumes for Elizabeth Taylor alone were very expensive. She wore 65 different outfits in the movie. The huge sets and large cast of extras also added to the cost.
Challenges During Filming
Making Cleopatra faced many challenges. The production moved from London to Rome due to bad weather. There were also changes in directors and health issues for the main stars. Despite these difficulties, the movie was eventually completed. It became one of the most talked-about films of its time.
Impact and Legacy
Cleopatra is remembered for its grand scale and stunning visuals. It brought the ancient world to life on the big screen. The movie's detailed costumes and sets influenced many films that came after it.
Awards and Recognition
As mentioned, the film won four Academy Awards. These awards recognized the amazing work done behind the scenes. Even though it didn't win Best Picture, it remains a classic epic. It is still watched today for its historical story and impressive production.
A Movie Milestone
Cleopatra showed how ambitious movies could be. It pushed the limits of filmmaking at the time. It is a significant part of Hollywood history, known for both its triumphs and its challenges. The film continues to be a great example of a "sword and sandal" epic.
