Title: Cleopatra
Runtime: 192 Min
Year: 1963
Genres: Biography - Drama - History - Romance
Cast: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Rex Harrison, Pamela Brown, George Cole, Hume Cronyn, Cesare Danova, Kenneth Haigh, Andrew Keir, Martin Landau, Roddy McDowall, Robert Stephens, Francesca Annis, Grégoire Aslan, Martin Benson, Herbert Berghof, John Cairney, Jacqui Chan
Directed By: Joseph L. Mankiewicz - (uncredited; fired, replaced by Joseph L. Mankiewicz) Rouben Mamoulian - (uncredited) Darryl F. Zanuck
PLOT
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.
Country: U.K. U.S.A. Switzerland
Language: English
Writers: (screenplay) Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Ranald MacDougall & Sidney Buchman - (histories) Plutarch, Suetonius & Appian
Awards:
1964- Academy Awards, USA (Oscar)
-Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Color - John DeCuir, Jack Martin Smith, Hilyard M. Brown, Herman A. Blumenthal, Elven Webb, Maurice Pelling, Boris Juraga, Walter M. Scott, Paul S. Fox & Ray Moyer (WON)
-Best Cinematography, Color - Leon Shamroy (WON)
-Best Costume Design, Color - Irene Sharaff, Vittorio Nino Novarese & Renié (WON)
-Best Effects, Special Visual Effects - Emil Kosa Jr. (WON)
-Best Actor in a Leading Role - Rex Harrison (NOMINATED)
-Best Film Editing - Dorothy Spencer (NOMINATED)
-Best Music, Score - Substantially Original - Alex North (NOMINATED)
-Best Picture - Walter Wanger (NOMINATED)
-Best Sound - James Corcoran (20th Century-Fox SSD) & Fred Hynes (Todd-AO SSD) (NOMINATED)
1964- American Cinema Editors, USA (Eddie)
-Best Edited Feature Film - Dorothy Spencer (NOMINATED)
1964- Golden Globes, USA (Golden Globe)
-Best Motion Picture - Drama (NOMINATED)
-Best Motion Picture Actor - Drama - Rex Harrison (NOMINATED)
-Best Motion Picture Director - Joseph L. Mankiewicz (NOMINATED)
-Best Supporting Actor - Roddy McDowall (NOMINATED)
1964- Grammy Awards (Grammy)
-Best Original Score from a Motion Picture or Television Show - Alex North (NOMINATED)
1964- Laurel Awards (Golden Laurel)
-Top Roadshow (WON)
-Top Male Dramatic Performance - Rex Harrison (2nd place)
1963- National Board of Review, USA (NBR Award)
-Best Actor - Rex Harrison (WON)
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