Title:

Cleopatra  ( 1962 )

Trailer:

Director:

Joseph Leo Mankiewicz

Cast:

Elizabeth Taylor (1932-2011), Richard Burton (1925-1996)

Production Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Summary:

In 48 B.C., Caesar pursues Pompey from Pharsalia to Egypt. Ptolemy, now supreme ruler after deposing his older sister, Cleopatra, attempts to gain favor with Caesar by presenting the conquerer with the head of Pompey, borne by his governors, Pothinos and Achillas. To win Caesar's support from her brother, Cleopatra hides herself in a rug, which Apollodorus, her servant, presents to Caesar. The Roman is immediately infatuated; banishing Ptolemy, he declares Cleopatra Egypt's sole ruler and takes her as his mistress. A son, Caesarion, is born of their union. Caesar, however, must return to Italy. Although he is briefly reunited with Cleopatra during a magnificent reception for the queen in Rome, Caesar is assassinated shortly thereafter, and Cleopatra returns to Egypt. When Mark Antony, Caesar's protégé, beholds Cleopatra aboard her elaborate barge at Tarsus some years later, he is smitten and becomes both her lover and military ally. Their liaison notwithstanding, Antony, to consolidate his position in Rome, marries Octavia, sister of the ambitious Octavian. The marriage satisfies no one. Cleopatra is infuriated, and Antony, tiring of his Roman wife, returns to Egypt. There he flaunts his liaison by marrying Cleopatra in a public ceremony. Sensing Antony's weakness, Octavian attacks and defeats his forces at Actium. Alarmed, Cleopatra withdraws her fleet and seeks refuge in her tomb.

Riconoscimenti:

Academy Awards - Premiato con 4 premi OSCAR:

• Best Cinematography:
  Leon Shamroy
• Best Art Direction-Set Decoration:
  Herman Blumenthal, Hilyard Brown, John DeCuir, Boris Juraga, Maurice Pelling, Jack Smith, Elven Webb, Paul Fox, Ray Moyer, Walter Scott
• Best Costume Design:
  Irene Sharaff, Vittorio Nino Novarese, Renié
• Best Effects, Special Visual Effects:
  Emil Kosa

NOMINATIONS:

• PICTURE:
  Walter Wanger
• ACTOR:
  Rex Harrison
• FILM EDITING:
  Dorothy Spencer
• SOUND:
  20th Century Fox Sound Department, Todd-AO Sound Department, James Corcoran, Fred Hynes
• MUSIC:
  (Music Score - Substantially Original) Alex North