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Cleopatra

Cleopatra is a historical epic film starring Elizabeth Taylor, Rex Harrison (Julius Caesar) and Richard Burton (Mark Antony) and a host of other stars. Released in 1963, the film was a box office smash. Historically correct in most aspects, all the major characters are real. Although some liberties were taken with time and space, for the most part they really behaved as they are presented with the exception of Octavian, who is portrayed in a very negative light. He was actually a much better person than shown here, but then this is Cleopatra's movie after all.

The film is divided into two halves. Part I deals with Cleopatra and Julius Caesar and Part II with Cleopatra and Mark Antony. Each has corresponding pages in this site, with a plot summary and a scene-by-scene outline, both with pictures. The site is arranged so you can go from one part to the other from either the plot or outline pages or from the Timeline page.

For an overview of the history of this period, read John Porter's notes from the University of Saskatchewan Class 111: Octavian and Antony: The Rise of Augustus. You can also read the story written just after the events by the Roman historian Suetonius. There is also a Family Tree that shows both Octavian and Antony and a List of all the Roman Emperors.

Cleopatra is one of three films that cover the transition of Rome from Republic to Empire. The others ( Spartacus and I, Claudius) are also available here. They are part of the larger History in Film web site that supports teaching history using popular films. It includes films from Rome up to the war in Vietnam.

I'd enjoy hearing your comments on this site. Please sign the Guestbook. I hope you enjoy your visit.

Plot Summary Part I

Outline Part I

Plot Summary Part II

Part II Outline

Timeline

Film Stats

Stars	.	Elizabeth Taylor, Rex Harrison, Richard Burton, Roddy McDowall
Director		Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Producer		Walter Wanger
Year		1963
Released by		20th Century Fox

Buy the Book The Memoirs of Cleopatra : A Novel		Buy the Movie

If you're a teacher who is interested in using this film and you would like these pages to edit and print as your own, they are all available here as Rich Text Format files in one relatively small WinZip package. Alternatively, if you only want a few of the files, each page has a download link for that RTF WinZip file alone (usually 3 or 4 K). If you would like the short answer essay test that accompanies this film, please E-mail me at the mail box below. I'd be glad to send it back to you.

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