Cleopatra (1963) | |
| Director(s) | Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Rouben Mamoulian (uncredited), Darryl F. Zanuck (uncredited) |
| Producer(s) | Walter Wanger, Peter Levathes (executive uncredited) |
| Top Genres | Biographical, Drama, Historical, Romance |
| Top Topics | Romance (Drama) |
Featured Cast:
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)
| Award | Recipient | Result |
| Best Cinematography | Victor Milner | Won |
| Best Film Editing | Anne Bauchens | Nominated |
| Best Picture | Paramount | Nominated |
| Best Actor | Rex Harrison | Nominated |
| Best Art Direction | Art Direction: John DeCuir, Jack Martin Smith, Hilyard Brown, Herman Blumenthal, Elven Webb, Mauric | Won |
| Best Costume Design | Irene Sharaff, Vittorio Nino Novarese, Renie | Won |
| Best Film Editing | Dorothy Spencer | Nominated |
| Best Music - Scoring | Alex North | Nominated |
| Best Picture | Walter Wanger, Producer | Nominated |
BlogHub Articles:
Film Album: Love Themes from Cleopatra (1963)
By The Metzinger Sisters on Jul 28, 2026 From Silver Scenes - A Blog for Classic Film LoversMost film albums feature a variety of themes from different films and title their album with the key theme, such as "Theme from the VIPS and other Film Hits".... but this album struck me as unique because Ferrante and Teicher decided to focus strictly on the music of Cleopatra (1963). Or so one woul... Read full article
Cleopatra (1963)
By Beatrice on Dec 21, 2017 From Flickers in TimeCleopatra 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 RetroC?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 FenceHere 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 FilmsThe 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
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Quotes from
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?
Cleopatra: Catullus doesn't approve of you. Why haven't you had him killed?
Julius Caesar: Because *I* approve of *him.*
Julius Caesar: I do not understand why the eyes of a statue should always lack light.
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Facts about
Darryl F. Zanuck, in principle, did not object to Joseph L. Mankiewicz's idea to have 2 3-hour movies. However, he knew the public was obsessed with the Elizabeth Taylor-Richard Burton affair and would not show up to see the first part in which Burton did not appear. Thus, the two parts were edited into one single movie.
Alex North was chosen to score the film after Joseph L. Mankiewicz's son Chris told him that North had done a magnificent job in composing a score for Spartacus.
read more facts about Cleopatra...
