British Universities Film & Video Council

moving image and sound, knowledge and access

Cleopatra

Synopsis
Feature film which made its own myths as the love affair between Antony and Cleopatra was lived in real-life in the well-publicised Burton-Taylor romance. The hugely expensive sets, and Taylor’s protracted illness, all but bankrupt Twentieth Century Fox. The film’s sources are credited to Plutarch, Suetonius, Appian and The Life and Times of Cleopatra by Charles Marie Franzero (London, 1957).
Language
English
Country
United States
Medium
Film
Technical information
Colour / Sound
Year of release
1963
Notes
Budget - estimated £44,000,000.
The DVD (2002) extras include commentaries by Chris and Tom Mankiewicz, Martin Landau and Jack Brodsky; a two-hour documentary CLEOPATRA: THE FILM THAT CHANGED HOLLYWOOD with behind-the-scenes shots and interviews; A featurette THE FOURTH STAR OF CLEOPATRA which looks at the production itself; Six trailers and Movietone reports from East and West Coast premieres; stills gallery.
Subjects
Drama
Keywords
Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)
Related items
Carry on Cleo

Credits

Director
Joseph L Mankiewicz
Producer
Walter Wanger
Cinematographer
Leon Shamroy
Screenplay
Joseph L Mankiewicz; Ranald MacDougall; Sidney Buckman
Music
Alex North
Production Design
John DeCuir
Costume
Irene Sharaff
Cast
Elizabeth Taylor 
Francesca Annis 
Isabelle Cooley 
Rex Harrison 
Richard Burton 
Richard O’Sullivan 
Roddy McDowall 

Production Company

Name

20th Century Fox

Distributor (Sale)

 

Available from retail outlets

View this record on the Shakespeare site for additional details

Record Stats

This record has been viewed 301 times.