It is the most powerful love triangle ever captured on film and continues to inspire playwrights, romantics, and movie producers in Hollywood. The lavish spectacle that is epic ion scale has bee viewed by millions across the world. The multi-talented cast is transformed by gorgeous and breathtaking costumes that number 26,000. According to playwright and director Joseph L. Mankiewiez, it is the depth of the characters overcome in "a realm of political intrigues, conflicts, and power" that made the 1963 movie Cleopatra successful. Regardless, it is considered by critics in Hollywood to be one of the biggest box office flops. Written in ancient Egyptian records, Cleopatra is a myth of historic triumph and tragedy. She is one of the most …show more content…
Critics made no reference at all to the superb actors and actress, the fantastic cinematography, the historical accuracy, a spectacular musical score, or the brilliant special effects that left audiences amazed. The movie was so grand in dimensions and noble in scope that it received thirteen Oscar nominations and won six. Other than the critics reviews, there is only two legitimate reasons for the disappointing and perceived failure of Cleopatra. The first was because the film went into production before they had a completed script, a production plan, or an organization in place. The constant changes in directors, actors, actress, and locations also delayed completion of the film. The near-fatal illness of Elizabeth Taylor delayed filming for six months. Secondly, it was corporate politics that resulted in executive indecisiveness in making decisions by producers, directors, and the studio who could not agree on a decision together and stay with it. It was Elizabeth Taylor's exorbitant salary, unreasonable and extravagant demands, for example, that put production of the film further into debt. This constant catering to Ms. Taylor cost 20th Century Fox seven million dollars in salary which is six million dollars more than the original contract of one million dollars. Unfortunately, it also took the studio two years to complete the
Changing social habits of a contemporary society have seen Cleopatra depicted in many different ways. Whilst few artefacts remain of the true image of Cleopatra, we see from her portrait on the coins (Fear, 2008, p, 21 Fig 1.4) that despite being no legendary beauty, she had the power to captivate two of the greatest Romans of her time. Cleopatra consummated her union with Julius Caesar, which strengthened her grip on the throne, following his assassination; she formed alliance with Mark Antony, in opposition to Octavian, a coalition that would lead to her downfall as both Antony and Cleopatra’s combined forces would be defeated against Octavian in the battle of Actium in 31 BCE. (Fear, 2008, p.7)
In the 1917 film Cleopatra was played by Theda Bara. Previous to her starring in this film, she had only starred in one film, although between 1915 and 1919 she starred in around 40 films. During those times, and now, she was known as silent films first sex symbol. In her role as Cleopatra, Theda Bara
After the completion of the book, it had let me to believe the book was written for the general audience. Although the author provided many resources, the information was taken from literature that was written during the time. Therefore, some of the quotes were biased either against or favored Cleopatra. For an example of bias against her, the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus called her a “wicked creature, who was a slave to her lusts, but she still imagined that she wanted everything she could think of, and did her utmost to gain it…. As for Antony, he was so entirely overcome by this woman that… he was some way or other bewitched to do whatever she would have him do.” On the contrary, here is an example of bias in favor of Cleopatra: “a princess well versed in the sciences, disposed to the study of philosophy and counting scholars among her intimate friends. She was the author of works on medicine, charms, and other divisions of the natural sciences.” This was taken from a tenth-century Arab historian Al Masudi. The author allowed his readers to conclude their own interpretation of Cleopatra by stating both sides of the story.
Despite her achievements being discredited by most critics, the fact that she was able to rule during a turbulent time portrays her as more than capable. Cleopatra’s death through an alleged asp bite after witnessing Marc Antony’s death was tragic. However, the queen taking her own life rather than allowing her enemies end it reveals her strong character. Cleopatra’s fame after her death is a testament to powerful leadership of the Last Pharaoh of Egypt.
The Romans were immensely furious with Cleopatra and had primary influence over what sources were left behind about her. So certainly this is going to lead to biases and inaccuracies in the depictions we have. Furthermore, we are all well aware of how Hollywood likes to dramatize and embellish stories in order to generate ticket sales and is not worried about the accuracy of the historical anecdote. Because of this and her popularity, our knowledge of Cleopatra has been flooded with twisted truths. When examining Cleopatra’s full reign beyond her love affairs, reveals Cleopatra put all of her effort forth in order to solve the conflict between Egypt and Rome and should be recognized for her masterminded and commanding leadership
Out of the ashes of history Schiff argues for Cleopatra’s intellect rather than her maliciousness was what led to all her achievements. Politically and tacitly apt she won the hearts of a populace through the use of spectacles and dramas that painted her into a god like queen. Her creativity and audacity armored with her intellect allowed her to be revered and made both goddess and empress of an Empire to which she had no legitimate claim. Both Caesar and Mark Anthony fell helpless to her charm, intelligence and displays of opulent extravagance which were almost divine. She understood what powerful, intellectual men were attracted to. Most captivating, she was able to navigate her way through to the hearts of these powerful men who came from a different world than hers. As where her Egypt was the champion of women’s rights in antiquity, Rome was known for the polar opposite. To achieve such drastic success where her gender
Cleopatra. Dir. Joseph L. Mankiewicz. Perf. Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and Rex Harrison. Twentieth Century Fox Productions, 1963.
The woman, by definition is the nurturer of life. She labors through birth, tends to the needs of her family, and assumes unending responsibilities. And while women have given birth to the ancient and modern day male heroes we've come to glorify to this day, we must remember that some of those same women have also been tremendously influential and invaluable all throughout the depths of history. One such woman is Cleopatra, the temptress whose ambition and seduction both augmented her empire's prestige and brought about her theatrical downfall.
Because of the time period in which Cleopatra lived not very much is known of her. In ancient times there was record keeping. Although many of the accounts written down were not preserved well enough to be available to this day.
In this research paper I will be writing about Cleopatra VII. Her early life, family and her relationships’. Cleopatra VII was born around 69 BC and was the daughter of Ptolemy XII Auletes and Cleopatra V of Egypt. Her parents got married in the year 79 BC. Her father Ptolemy XII Auletes was the king of Egypt during 80-58 B.C. and 55-51 B.C. He was born in 117 BC and was also known as the “Piper” because he played the flute. He died in 51 BC, Alexandria, Egypt from being exiled. Her mother Cleopatra V was the queen of Egypt, born in 95 BC. She vanished around the time of Cleopatra’s birth in 69 BC then died in 57 BC. Some people believe she was either murdered or that she may have died while giving birth. (“Cleopatras Family”)
From the early years of her life, Cleopatra learned that to gain the thrown in the dynasty of the Ptolemies it took a lot more then sheer knowledge. She did however have a very good education in which she knew how to speak seven different languages and was the only Ptolemy to have know how to speak Egyptian and Greek ("The Unsolved Death of Cleopatra"). It is clear that even from such a young age Cleopatra was driven to succeed. It appears that it wasn't enough for her to just be educated, but to surpass her siblings and quite possibly her own parents. This was soon proven to be so once she inherited the throne and problems began to ensue. With the title of pharaoh came the marriage to her younger brother, though neither one was willing to share that power together. Soon after taking the throne her brother was found murdere...
... middle of paper ... ... Saying that she was devoted to her empire and raising her children doesn’t seem fitting enough for all that Cleopatra has done. She would be the last Egyptian queen we would ever know, but also the most famous female ruler in world history. Bibliography Burstein, Stanley Mayer.
(Cicarma,2017) With all the planning to negotiation the tactics of both were lacking and defeat. When all things are all well in the eyes that seem to doom Cleopatra puts herself in seat of death of a cobra granted that this was a myth or not. Plutarch says that those who believed in the asp theory that the snake was smuggled in to her bowl of figs. (Baldwin, 1964, p 182: 2) And still no one knows if it was Cleopatra killed Antony for her own free will. It was the power that struck her and her own risk to not anyone have her Antony right beside her. This goes to that this fascinated to us about Cleopatra show us in ways as a woman she did her best to reign and what she expected for the last Pharaoh to do what's right mind of her
... quotation shows that Egypt, the land of Cleopatra, is a place of comfort and natural ambience. This description practically characterizes Cleopatra, as she is blessed with the art of seduction and confidence; contrastingly different from the level headed Roman, Antony. The emphasis on the deeper meaning of the setting is evident within film adaptation as all of the domineering love scenes within the movie are filmed in the Egyptian setting, versus the Roman. Shakespeare always placed an importance on the role that Egypt play in seduction. The character portrayal of Cleopatra by actress Hildegarde Neil is essential as it represents everything that is Egypt. Neil masters the art of seduction through her role, as she effectively reveals how Cleopatra shapes Antony into a victim of seduction.
...rather than allowing his self-image to be labeled as feministic and a defeated General, Cleopatra denies her persona the ability to be reduced to a vile and inglorious state. Cleopatra believes that if her grandiosity is loss, her identity will be demolished. The ironic part is that both Antony and Cleopatra attain this sense of glory, but is exulted as tragic characters defined by selfishness.