Cleopatra Overview:

Cleopatra (1963) was a Biographical - Drama Film directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz and Darryl F. Zanuck and produced by Walter Wanger and Peter Levathes.

SYNOPSIS

A long, sprawling, and spectacular love story depicting Cleopatra's manipulation of Caesar and Marc Antony in her ill-fated attempt to save the Egyptian Empire. Film was cut from 243 minutes to 222 at the time of its release. The most expensive film of its time, due largely to overruns caused by Taylor and Burton's tempestuous relationship on and offscreen. Launched in the tabloids. It survived multiple starts and stops, and the near-bankruptcy of Fox, to become big box office.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

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Academy Awards 1963 --- Ceremony Number 36 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best CinematographyVictor MilnerWon
Best Film EditingAnne BauchensNominated
Best PictureParamountNominated
Best ActorRex HarrisonNominated
Best Art DirectionArt Direction: John DeCuir, Jack Martin Smith, Hilyard Brown, Herman Blumenthal, Elven Webb, MauricWon
Best Costume DesignIrene Sharaff, Vittorio Nino Novarese, RenieWon
Best Film EditingDorothy SpencerNominated
Best Music - ScoringAlex NorthNominated
Best PictureWalter Wanger, ProducerNominated
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BlogHub Articles:

Cleopatra (1963)

By Beatrice on Dec 21, 2017 From Flickers in Time

Cleopatra Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz Written by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Ranald MacDougall, and Sidney Buchman based on ancient histories and a book “The Life and Times of Cleopatra” by Carlo Maria Franzero 1963/Switzerland/UK/USA Twentieth Century Fox/MCL Films S.A./Walwa Films S.... Read full article


C?sar e Cle?patra (1945)

By L? on Nov 2, 2015 From Critica Retro

C?sar e Cle?patra (1945) Voc? deve saber que Elizabeth Taylor foi a primeira atriz de cinema a receber um milh?o de d?lares por um ?nico filme: “Cle?patra”, em 1963. Antes dela, outras atrizes j? haviam interpretado a mais famosa rainha do Egito, entre elas Theda Bara, Claudette C... Read full article


Celebrate Cleopatra!

By Jill Blake on Jun 13, 2013 From Sittin' on a Backyard Fence

Here at The Fence, we will be giving away 2 copies of the newly restored Cleopatra 50th Anniversary release, courtesy of Fox. To enter, please send an email to sittinonabackyardfence@gmail.com. In the subject, “Cleopatra giveaway.” Please include your name, email, and website (if applica... Read full article


Win a Copy of Cleopatra 50th Anniversary Edition on Blu-ray

By Brandy Dean on May 31, 2013 From Pretty Clever Films

The iconic historical epic Cleopatra, starring Elizabeth Taylor and and Richard Burton, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. In honor of this milestone, Cleopatra has been restored and released on Blu-ray for the first time in a 2-disc package that features a full-color book with rare images a... Read full article


Win a Copy of Cleopatra on Blu-ray!

on May 30, 2013 From Journeys in Classic Film

I mentioned it on Twitter a? few days ago, but the fantastic folks at Cinemark have sent me a few Cleopatra Blu-rays to offer to you lovely people.? I have THREE Blu-rays to give away and here’s what you need to enter: HOW TO ENTER: Since these are awesome, I’m going to have to enforce t... Read full article


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Quotes from

Julius Caesar: Ah, yes. I seem to recall some mention of an obsession you have about your divinity... Isis, isn't it?
Cleopatra: I shall have to insist that you mind what you say. I AM Isis. I am worshipped by millions who believe it. You are not to confuse what I am with the so-called divine origin which every Roman general seems to acquire together with his shield. It was, uh, Venus you chose to be descended from, wasn't it?


Julius Caesar: I do not understand why the eyes of a statue should always lack light.


Octavian: Antony is dead? You say that as if it were a everyday occurrence. The soup is hot, the soup is cold. Antony is alive, Antony is dead.


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Facts about

After firing Rouben Mamoulian as director, Walter Wanger and Darryl F. Zanuck approached Alfred Hitchcock to take over the project. Hitchcock refused and chose to make The Birds instead.
Director Joseph L. Mankiewicz was fired during the editing/post-production phase. Since there was no actual shooting script (Mankiewicz was writing as he was shooting), Twentieth Century-Fox soon realized that only Mankiewicz knew how the story fit together. He was brought back to complete the project.
A clerical error by 20 Century-Fox probably cost Roddy McDowall a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award nomination for his performance in this film. See McDowall's biography page for details.
read more facts about Cleopatra...
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Best Costume Design Oscar 1963










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Also directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz




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Also produced by Walter Wanger




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Also released in 1963




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