Cleopatra | Claudette Colbert, Warren William | In politics, there is no space for a flaming love!

Cleopatra | Claudette Colbert, Warren William | Cleo Rules!

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Cleopatra

	Cleopatra Claudette Colbert, Warren William Universal Studios, 1995 average customer review:based on 22 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

In politics, there is no space for a flaming love!

The well known story of Cleopatra and her smart blending the politics and love afairs between Caesar and Marc Anthony acquires in this case a memorable result. Claudette Colbert's alluring beauty fits admirably all the way through.

The fluid camerawork of De Mille accuses the undeniable influence of Griffith and some shots that reminds us to Eisenstein, but De Mille bets for a reduced scope without great landscapes, trying to connect us with the felony behind political stages.

The complot against Caesar (Beware of the Idus of March), Cleopatra's suicide were made with a visible resources economy, but the script was built with admirable Symphonic approach, and so the climax sequences between Marc Anthony troops and Octavius are simply breathtaking.

The entire cast was above the expected average. This movie is a real must for all those hard Cinema lovers.

Totally recommended.

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Cleo Rules!

I love this movie. I especially love and admire Warren William who, in my estimation, was the greatest heart throb of his time. That beautiful voice and his profile -- well, he beats out John Barrymore's profile in my opinion! What I liked most of all was the music. The music was so beautiful, especially when Cleo seduces Caesar on her boat floating down the Nile! This movie wins over the remake with Elizabeth Taylor which I thought was a huge piece of nonsense. Claudette Colbert was exquisite as Cleopatra, so full of life and lust for power!

A Cleopatra for all time...

After reading the reviews left by other AMAZON folk, I must admit that I am happy to (still) be able to view a cinematic work, using the frame of reference of its (own) time rather than that of the twenty-first century... even though this monument remains thoroughly watch-able today. I regard this film as neither Kamp(sic) nor Kitsch.

To me, whenever a film, of any era, comes close to "opera" , I am won-over... completely; I use "opera" in the sense of spectacle transcending its storyline to become something larger than itself... and this film soars.

Although of a film acting-tradition "of the grand gesture", most of the performances are thoroughly winning... and Henry Wilcoxen is simply STUNNING as Marc Antony... in all senses of that word. Miss Colbert equally triumphs as the young queen, wise beyond her years... "pulling-out all the stops" to secure her position as ruler of Egypt.

As another reviewer attests... that "royal barge" seduction scene, in which Cleopatra secures the devotion of Marc Antony is truly breathtaking... the most beautiful... and effortless "abduction" ever; the poor beguiled Roman wakes-up in Eqypt! This one, single, magically-crafted scene, on its own, warrants seeing this film.

As movie viewers, part of the experience must be acceptance and self-surrender. We must not impose our personal twenty-first century sophistication upon what we are viewing. Instead, we must accept any film on its own terms, understanding the era in which it was conceived, so much as we might be able. To do otherwise will almost invariably diminish the cinematic experience; we must allow a film to "wash over" us. In defense of C.B.deMille, I must cite that so many of the scenes... scenes of "huge-ness", were conveyed with beautiful efficiency by positioning... or "immersing" the camera in such a way as to capture the "intimacy" of that particular scene... even those scenes of battle... and that is something both practical and artistic... and very modern. It would very difficult to realistically capture the vastness of Egypt in any other way; the camera plunges us into the scene, as if the scene were unfolding around us.

I own this movie, and every so often, I indulge all over again, so if you have never seen this film, I encourage you to do so; like so many others, I am certain that you, too, will find yourself recalling the magic of this great movie, long after its viewing. Enjoy!!!

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WHERE"S THE DVD?????? (sorry for shouting)

wonderful flick. the word "enchanting" comes to mind. pleanty of humor too. the score is really beautiful, spookey and egyptian sounding, even when it's loud and booming, as on the amazing barge. i'll bet this act of de mille and colbert's was very like the real cleo's. they both were spending a lot of money to wow everyone, and they sure knew how. the barge is probably very similar to cleo's real one also. The last scene is great. watch for colbert's body to slump slightly when she dies on her throne, but aparantly she has had herself tied in, so she'll be found sitting erect. it's a great detail. This movie isn't plot driven, although of course it's a good plot, and it really happened! but the movie is driven more by the "feel" and the look and the score,so it's watchable over and over, but.......WHERE"S THE DVD????? I don't want to buy a box-set of old dusty de mille to get this one gem. -kid in the fourth row

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Another Hollywood History

After Julius Caesar became Emperor of Rome he looked towards the riches of Egypt. Cleopatra had been abducted from Alexandria to leave Ptolemy (her brother) in charge. But Cleopatra had a trick to return to meet Caesar. She also knew how to tempt him with a promise of riches. Caesar knows that gold adds to political power. Cleopatra has the right stuff to handle the plot of Plotinus. Back in Rome Brutus and Cassius worry about Caesar becoming king. The Roman aristocrats lead lives of idle luxury. There is a parade where Cleopatra enters Rome. An old man warns Caesar of the Ides of March, so does his wife Calpurnia. Caesar ignores this advice. [He obviously lacks a good intelligence service.]

The conspirators await for their rendezvous with destiny. Caesar is not the last ruler to get an early retirement. Mark Anthony will punish the murderers of Caesar, then meet Cleopatra for a friendly meeting in Tarsus. But Cleopatra lures Mark Anthony and presents entertainment. This show has excesses of mindless actions. [This seems like the stage productions of other musicals of that time.] Back in Rome Octavius speaks against Mark Anthony's vacation in Egypt. The people cheer his speeches, as they did for Mark Anthony. King Herod of Jerusalem arrives with news from Rome. Octavius would be a friend of Egypt if Mark Anthony was dead. Cleopatra tests the effects of a new mixed drink on a condemned prisoner.

Then Octavius declares war on Egypt and Mark Anthony. Mark Anthony can redeem himself to Rome if he kills Cleopatra; but he won't. A cast of thousands march and fight in the sands with gory details. There are battles at sea between wooden ships with the use of fire. Mark Anthony's forces are defeated; he falls on his sword. Cleopatra's choices are limited, she has one last escape from Roman captivity and a painful death.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

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