See buying choices for this item to see if it's one of the millions that are eligible for Amazon Prime.

16 used & new from £4.44
See All Buying Options
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
Cleopatra [VHS] [1963]
 
See larger image 
Share your own customer images

Cleopatra [VHS] [1963]

VHS ~ Elizabeth Taylor
4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)

Available from these sellers.


5 new from £8.77 8 used from £4.44 3 collectible from £9.99

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Spartacus [DVD] [1960]

Spartacus [DVD] [1960]

DVD ~ Kirk Douglas
4.5 out of 5 stars (6)  £3.98
Lawrence of Arabia - Two Disc Set [DVD] [1962]

Lawrence of Arabia - Two Disc Set [DVD] [1962]

DVD ~ Peter O'Toole
4.6 out of 5 stars (52)  £4.98
Alexander The Great [DVD] [1955]

Alexander The Great [DVD] [1955]

DVD ~ Richard Burton
3.3 out of 5 stars (6)  £3.98
Ben-Hur [1959] [DVD]

Ben-Hur [1959] [DVD]

DVD ~ Charlton Heston
5.0 out of 5 stars (18)  £4.98
The Ten Commandments [DVD] [1956]

The Ten Commandments [DVD] [1956]

DVD ~ Charlton Heston
4.2 out of 5 stars (17)  £4.98
› Explore similar items

Product details

Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review
Still the most expensive movie ever made, Cleopatra nearly bankrupted 20th Century Fox. It also scandalised the world with the very public affair of its two major stars, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. But Joseph L Mankiewicz's 1963 epic deserves to be remembered for more than its off-screen troubles. An extravagantly elaborate production, the sets and costumes alone are awe-inspiring; Mankiewicz's own literate screenplay draws heavily on the classics and Shakespeare; while the supporting cast, led by Rex Harrison as Caesar and Roddy McDowall as his nephew (and future emperor) Octavian, are all first-rate thespians and generally put in more convincing performances than either of the two leads.

Mankiewicz's original intention was to make two three-hour films: the first being Caesar and Cleopatra, the second Antony and Cleopatra. But before the film’s completion, and following a boardroom coup worthy of Ancient Rome itself, legendary mogul Darryl F Zanuck took back control of Fox and insisted that Cleopatra be cut to a more economical length. A heartbroken Mankiewicz was forced to trim his six-hour vision down to four. This was the "roadshow" version shown at the film’s premiere and now restored here for the first time. Then following adverse criticism and pressure from cinema chains Zanuck demanded more cuts, and the final released version ran a mere three hours--half the original length.

Capitalising on the feverish publicity surrounding Burton and Taylor, the shortened version played up both their on- and off-screen romance. This longer four-hour roadshow version allows for a broader view of the film, adding some depth to the politics and manipulation of the characters. But the director’s original six-hour edit has been lost. Perhaps one day it will be rediscovered in the vaults and Mankiewicz’s much-maligned movie will finally be seen the way it was meant to be. Until then, Cleopatra remains an epic curiosity rather than the complete spectacle it should be.

On the DVD: this handsome three-disc set spreads the restored four-hour print of the movie across two discs. The anamorphic widescreen print looks quite magnificent and Alex North’s wondrous score comes up like new in Dolby 5.1 sound. There’s a patchy and only intermittently revealing commentary from Chris Mankiewicz, Tom Mankiewicz, Martin Landau and Jack Brodsky. Much better is the comprehensive two-hour documentary that occupies disc three, which tells in hair-raising detail the extraordinary story of a film production that became totally out of control. This is accompanied by some short archival material, but the documentary alone is a compelling reason to acquire this set. --Mark Walker

Synopsis
An epic which deals with the glory days of Cleopatra, Caesar and the Roman Empire.

See all Product Description

Suggested Tags from Similar Products

 (What's this?)
Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
Check a corresponding box or enter your own tags in the field below
(4)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Cleopatra [VHS] [1963]
48% buy the item featured on this page:
Cleopatra [VHS] [1963] 4.7 out of 5 stars (11)
Cleopatra (Special Edition) [DVD] [1963]
41% buy
Cleopatra (Special Edition) [DVD] [1963] 4.8 out of 5 stars (5)
£6.58
Lawrence of Arabia - Two Disc Set [DVD] [1962]
4% buy
Lawrence of Arabia - Two Disc Set [DVD] [1962] 4.6 out of 5 stars (52)
£4.98
The Ten Commandments [DVD] [1956]
4% buy
The Ten Commandments [DVD] [1956] 4.2 out of 5 stars (17)
£4.98
Explore similar items
 

Customer Reviews

11 Reviews
5 star:
 (8)
4 star:
 (3)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (11 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A Flawed Masterpiece, 25 April 2002
This review is from: Cleopatra (3 Disc Special Edition) [1963] [DVD] (DVD)
This revamped DVD of Twentieth Century Fox's 1963 folly is superb in virtually every aspect. The four hour version of the film is split between two discs with a third providing a hugely entertaining two hour documentary about the various machinations of the production exposing an almost unbelievable story of excess and stupidity. But far from being a $44,000,000 white elephant, Cleopatra comes across as a film of immense grace and style. A veritable plague of British character actors support the three principals and give solid performances throughout. Rex Harrison as Julius Caesar steals the acting honours in this cut with Richard Burton's Mark Anthony coming a poor second. However, the personality of Elizabeth Taylor dominates the film, with her astonishing beauty enhanced by some stunningly camp costumes and wigs. Her acting is adequate and occasionally very good, but her visual presence is everything and it is difficult to imagine any other actress at that time carrying it off. What we are seeing here is, of course, a heavily cut version of what was originally intended by the director Joe Mankiewicz. The two hours of missing footage is continuously referred to throughout the documentary and the running commentary and there must come a time when these deleted scenes are restored so that the original vision can be appreciated for the first time. One or two of these scenes are shown in the documentary along with a number taken from the aborted Pinewood version of the film. Alex North's score is simply brilliant, and the DVD captures every nuance perfectly. Compared to the crudity of 'Gladiator', Cleopatra appears positively poetic. A literate script, glorious music and costumes and real three-dimensional sets (even if the Arch of Constantine is wrongly referred to repeatedly as the Arch of Titus and wasn't built until more than three hundred years after the events of the film). My only complaint is that the end credits were not included and although presented in widescreen, there still appears to be some cropping at the edges. Never can it be said more appropriately of any film: 'They don't make them like that anymore'.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars DVD Print Quality Simply Outstanding, 17 Nov 2005
By letsgetitright "letsgetitright" (England Europe) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   
This review is from: Cleopatra (3 Disc Special Edition) [1963] [DVD] (DVD)
For a film that is now more than forty years old this DVD is simply outstanding. The film itself is contained on two DVDs and the extra features can be found on the third DVD. But if you view the film you will feel that this has just been produced, such is the quality. Sure the special effects are not there, so obvious in modern films like the 2004 epic Troy, but everything is done on a grand scale. The film remains the most expensive film ever made and you can understand why. Whereas today many of the grand sets would be done on computers, 20th Century Fox had to produce everything as a real set. So when you see Cleopatra's grand entrance to Rome this is the real deal, not pixels. The colours are vivid, the sound very powerful and the acting of the two main stars - Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton - is highly charged. Impressive historical entertainment.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The Most Important Movie In Hollywood History, 31 Dec 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: Cleopatra (3 Disc Special Edition) [1963] [DVD] (DVD)
Cleopatra is astounding on every level - the magnificent sets, the unique array of actors and, infamously, a production that almost cost 20th Century Fox its bankruptcy.
This superb 3 disc collectors edition restores Cleopatra to its original 4 hour 3 minute length, spread over 2 discs and shining with crystal perfection - both in picture and sound. A third disc is brimming with bonus material - including original theaterical trailers, still galleries and an amazing 2 hour documentary of the creation of the most important movie ever made.
Elizabeth Taylor is stunning as Cleopatra and, regardless of what you have read, she pulls off the role with ease - this is pure entertainment and a movie that will never be matched again. The biggest shame is that 2 hours worth of material is still lost - the directors intention was for 2 films running 3 hours long - totalling a 6 hour epic. However, lost footage found has been included in the documentary on disc 3 and you will feel a great uplift in seeing it. One day, the 6 hour film, as it was intented will be available, but until then, this 4 hour version is worth every second of your attention. This is a film that changed Hollywood forever and a film this good has never been seen since.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
This DVD was a gift for someone & I spent hours walking round stores trying to find a copy, but no one had it. Read more
Published 11 days ago

5.0 out of 5 stars should be six stars...no, 10 stars, no, 100 stars!
As someone in my 30s I have a low tolerance for "old" movies often seen as "classics", "masterpieces" by everyone else. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Ben Dover

5.0 out of 5 stars The Cleo that we all know and love
Cleo's have come and gone. There have been many films and books depicting Cleo as she really was to great melodramatic Cleo. Read more
Published on 25 Feb 2005 by bernie

5.0 out of 5 stars First class - all the way!
The ultimate Cleopatra - starring a gorgeous Liz Taylor and v.young and handsome Richard Burton as the tormented Marc Antony with Rex Harrison playing the ageing Julius Caeser... Read more
Published on 4 Jan 2004 by nioliver

5.0 out of 5 stars "Was this well done of your lady?"
Forget the naysayers; Cleopatra is pure entertainment. Every one of its 246 minutes is filled with opulence and excitement. Read more
Published on 16 Nov 2002 by Kona

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece!
Everyone seems to complain about the length but personally the length was a plus for me! I love epics! Read more
Published on 4 Jun 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars absolutely stunning
taylor as cleopatra electrifies the screen ~ tho not her best ever performance, this is one where mere presence is dictated for. Read more
Published on 3 May 2002 by petsim

4.0 out of 5 stars Historical high drama
Taylor and Burton are magnificent in this four hour telling of the Anthony/Cleopatra saga. A common criticism of this film is the length of the speaches but the intensity and... Read more
Published on 19 Oct 2000

Only search this product's reviews


Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
This product's forum (0 discussions)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
  No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
  [Cancel]


Active discussions in related forums
   
Related forums

Listmania!

Create a Listmania! list

Look for similar items by category

Feedback

Health & Beauty at Amazon.co.uk

Elemis Resurface and Renew Skin Care Gift Set of 4 Products
From soap to shavers, massagers to mascara, stock up on your daily essentials or truly pamper yourself.

›Discover Health & Beauty

  

Let Olay Amaze You

Olay Total Effects Day Moisturiser SPF15 50ml
Amazon.co.uk sells all your favourite ranges from Olay, including Regenerist and Total Effects.

›Discover Olay at Amazon.co.uk

  

Up to 53% off Braun Series Shavers

Braun Series 3 390cc Clean & Renew System Rechargeable Foil Electric Shaver
Get in touch with your smooth side with Braun Series shavers, now with Gillette blade technology.

›Discover Braun Series at Amazon.co.uk

  

Treat Someone

Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificates--available in any amount from £5 to £500 With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is).

›Learn more about Gift Certificates

  
Ad

Where's My Stuff?

Delivery and Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)
You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.
Continue Shopping: Top Sellers

amazon.co.uk Amazon Home
International Sites:  United States  |  Germany  |  France  |  Japan  |  Canada  |  China
Business Programs: Sell on Amazon  |  Fulfilment by Amazon  |  Join Associates  |  Join Advantage
Customer Service  |  Help  |  View Basket  |  Your Account
About Amazon.co.uk  |  Careers at Amazon
Conditions of Use & Sale |  Privacy Notice  © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates