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Product Description
The most expensive movie ever made in Britain at the time, this breathtaking adaptation of Shaw’s epic was notoriously lavish. Shot in Technicolor and directed by Gabriel Pascal, the film was so extravagant that the director even took sand to Egypt to get the right cinematic colour. As Rome invades Egypt, Julius Caesar (Rains) stumbles across the young and unrefined princess Cleopatra (Leigh), sheltering in the Sphinx. Impressed by her spirit and intelligence, seduced by her charm he determines to make her Queen. Cleopatra learns about power and politics at the feet of a master but her downfall begins when she is seduced by Mark Antony. This witty, brilliantly designed movie features a memorable cast including Stewart Granger (The Prisoner of Zenda), Flora Robson (Wuthering Heights), Stanley Holloway (My Fair Lady) and a very young Jean Simmons (Great Expectations) as the harpist.
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital Stereo ), English ( Subtitles ), WIDESCREEN (1.78:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Biographies, Black & White, Interactive Menu, Photo Gallery, Scene Access, Trailer(s), SYNOPSIS: Cleopatra hasn't been on the throne of the pharoahs of Egypt very long when Julius Caesar pays a visit. Caesar finds the prospect of romance more tempting than he expected, since Cleopatra is a rare woman who is bright as well as beautiful. And for Cleopatra, a friendly relationship with the most powerful man in the world may pay dividends in the future. SCREENED/AWARDED AT: Oscar Academy Awards, ...Caesar and Cleopatra (UK)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is a wonderful film of a wonderful play pleading for tolerance and charity in the affairs of state. "And so, to the end of history, murder shall breed muder, always in the name of right and honour and peace, until the gods are tired of blood and create a race that can understand." Highly recommended....
BUT... inexplicably, the famous scene from Act III of the original play where Cleopatra is smuggled to the beseiged Caesar rolled in a carpet has been cut out, despite the DVD having a scene entitled "A gift for Caesar"! This is like Macbeth without "Out damned spot" or Gone With the Wind without "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn!"; and it is for this reason that I award 3 stars rather than 5.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I am a great admirer of Shaw -and of this play in particular. The film, it is true does have it's flaws - for one it is quite old - and even this brilliantly remastered version can't entirely compensate for that. The screenplay is by the author and retains its wry wit, its intelligence and a slightly verbose 1930s theatricality.
But it is a joy to watch Vivien Leigh's sexy and spoiled child of a Cleopatra, alongside Claude Rains' gently wise and cynical Ceasar as they play out Shaw's view of what life should be like. The big surprise was Stewart Grainger - A big bold athletic part clothed in the most camp costumes imaginable!
Sets and filming all to the highest standards with no expense spared. Egypt was never quite so vast and gorgeous as it is here, even in the time of the Ptolemys. The Film is a delight, but don't expect Gladiator!
But it is a joy to watch Vivien Leigh's sexy and spoiled child of a Cleopatra, alongside Claude Rains' gently wise and cynical Ceasar as they play out Shaw's view of what life should be like. The big surprise was Stewart Grainger - A big bold athletic part clothed in the most camp costumes imaginable!
Sets and filming all to the highest standards with no expense spared. Egypt was never quite so vast and gorgeous as it is here, even in the time of the Ptolemys. The Film is a delight, but don't expect Gladiator!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Wonderful film. Excellent transfer to DVD. Vivien Leigh easily outshines the later portrayal by Elizabeth Taylor. Claude Rains is superb as Caesar. Easily Flora Robson's best performance as well. Highly recommended.
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3.7 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
A rich production for a lovely story
Vivien Leigh at het best, more beautiful than ever and very sexy, shows his talent once more. I appreciated Claude Rains as well, and this film is definitely worth watching. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Troiero Enrico
5.0 out of 5 stars
Historic
A fun film that covers the general bits nicely, Cleo the 7th meets J.C. Historically sort of correct with trimmings missing
Published 5 months ago by William Anderson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great classic
one for the fan of this topic-
Just great to see such a old film in great colour*****Steven Osze
I think film was originally b/w now colourised
Just great to see such a old film in great colour*****Steven Osze
I think film was originally b/w now colourised
Published 14 months ago by Stephen Osze
3.0 out of 5 stars
Almost forgotten star.
I suppose I had not realised what a good actress Vivien Leigh was. I think she made a much more convincing Cleopatra than Elizabeth Taylor and Claud Raines a very convincing... Read more
Published 16 months ago by SED
3.0 out of 5 stars
"by george" bernard shaw, it's cleopatra
i came across this DVD after seeing "cleopatra" (taylor, burton et alia) + so bought it out as a curio. Read more
Published on 5 Dec 2002 by "petsim"
4.0 out of 5 stars
Beautifully directed, classic film.
As Cleopatra, Leigh is, as always, wonderful. This film is very enjoyable, however cannot be considered on the same level as the later 'Cleopatra' starring Liz Taylor, which goes... Read more
Published on 7 April 2002
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