The queen of Egypt (Elizabeth Taylor) seduces Julius Caesar (Rex Harrison), but when he is killed, she uses... (Learn more)
Starring: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Rex Harrison (View All)
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Starring: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Rex Harrison
In 48 B.C., Caesar pursues Pompey from Pharsalia to Egypt. Ptolemy, now supreme ruler after deposing his older sister, Cleopatra, attempts to gain favor with Caesar by presenting the conquerer with the head of Pompey, borne by his governors, Pothinos and Achillas. To win Caesar's support from her brother, Cleopatra hides herself in a rug, which Apollodorus, her servant, presents to Caesar. The Roman is immediately infatuated; banishing Ptolemy, he declares Cleopatra Egypt's sole ruler and takes her as his mistress. A son, Caesarion, is born of their union. Caesar, however, must return to Italy. Although he is briefly reunited with Cleopatra during a magnificent reception for the queen in Rome, Caesar is assassinated shortly thereafter, and Cleopatra returns to Egypt. When Mark Antony, Caesar's protégé, beholds Cleopatra aboard her elaborate barge at Tarsus some years later, he is smitten and becomes both her lover and military ally. Their liaison notwithstanding, Antony, to consolidate his position in Rome, marries Octavia, sister of the ambitious Octavian. The marriage satisfies no one. Cleopatra is infuriated, and Antony, tiring of his Roman wife, returns to Egypt. There he flaunts his liaison by marrying Cleopatra in a public ceremony. Sensing Antony's weakness, Octavian attacks and defeats his forces at Actium. Alarmed, Cleopatra withdraws her fleet and seeks refuge in her tomb.
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US Release Date
6/19/63
MPAA Rating
Rated G
Running Time
215 mins. (British version)
Locations
- Alexandria, Egypt
- Almeria, Spain
- Anzio, Italy
- Cinecitta Studios, Rome, Italy
- Edkou, Egypt
- Ischia, Italy
- Lanuvio, Italy
- Torre Astura, Italy
Language
- English
Awards
- Nominated for a Best Original Score award at the 1963 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie Awards.
- Winner of the Best Color Costume Design award at the 1963 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie Awards.
- Nominated for a Best Sound award at the 1963 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie Awards.
- Nominated for a Best Editing award at the 1963 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie Awards.
- Winner of the Best Color Art Direction award at the 1963 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie Awards.
- Winner of the Best Color Cinematography award at the 1963 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie Awards.
- Nominated for a Best Picture award at the 1963 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie Awards.
- Winner of the Best Visual Effects award at the 1963 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie Awards.
- Nominated for a Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion award at the 1963 Hollywood Foreign Press Association [F Awards.
- Nominated for a Best Color Costume Design award at the 1963 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie Awards.
- Nominated for a Best Actor award at the 1963 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie Awards.
- Nominated for a Best Director award at the 1963 Hollywood Foreign Press Association [F Awards.
- Nominated for a Best Picture - Drama award at the 1963 Hollywood Foreign Press Association [F Awards.
- Nominated for a Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama award at the 1963 Hollywood Foreign Press Association [F Awards.
- Winner of the Best Actor award at the 1963 National Board of Review [Festival/Awa Awards.
Distributor
- 20th Century Fox
- 20th Century Fox Distribution
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
