Rating: 
Summary: Lavish but where's the rest of it...?
Review: Where IS the rest of it?
That may sound like an odd question given that "Cleopatra" runs 4 hours, but despite the lavish sets, clever dialogue, generally good performances, etc... there is nonetheless a certain "smallness" about this gargantuan piece of Hollywood history (which, if one adjusts for inflation, remains easily the most-expensive movie ever made).
This "smallness" is hard to explain, except that I think it may have something to do with so many scenes occuring inside, with very little external shooting.
As I understand, the original version was ~6 hours, which does seem a tad too long, but FOX made Mr. Mankeiwicz cut the film down, which he did to a length of about 5 hours and 15 minutes... THIS is the version that I'd like to see (but no one's apparently been able to find the footage) but the studio then took it and hacked it down to "only" 4 hours in 1963, some prints running less than 3(!!) Elizabeth Taylor is said to have vomited after publicly viewing the slashed-up version in London.
It's also been said that the two stars missing from the 4 hour version (let alone the shorter one) are Rome and Egypt... I can believe it-- as there is a pronounced lack of a sense of "place" or location in the 4 hour cut, the version readily available.
If they could reassemble the 5 1/4 hour cut, with that footage back in place, I wonder if the size and scope of "Cleopatra" would finally measure up to what it seems to be trying to promise at every moment. Because despite how long it already is, one senses that you've "missed" something throughout the movie.
Rating: 
Summary: A Masterpiece!
Review: A great epic, Cleopatra, brings to the screen the story of one of the most well known historical figures.
The film combines drama, action, and adventure, making it one of the best of its kind.
Needless to say, the Hollywood heavyweights Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, as well as the rest of the cast have truly outdone themselves with their performances, which are outstanding to say the least. The actors' incredible talent and chemistry clearly shows, thus providing a film that can be watched over and over again.
The setting, the acting, the dialogues, the music, the battles and the costumes are all wonderful!
History, Love, Passion, and Honor, are all about.
There are no words to describe this multiple Oscar winning movie. It is simply amazing how a movie made in 1963 surpasses by far most movies that have been
made in later years. A great marvel indeed!
Rating:
Summary: Hail Caesar....the "Hail" with Caesar give me Cleo!
Review: A bunch of men in skirts upstagged by a Goddess who appears to be up to the task of breast feading Egypt! Half naked georgeous slave girls prancing around in Fredericks of Hollywood costumes before there was Fredericks of Hollywood! Taylor's "ample" assets falling out of every costume in nearly every scene! Are there other stars in the movie? Yes but who cares! In short a spectacular extravaganza unequaled in scope and magnitude that could never be duplicated again even if we disregard Taylor's Fruedian appeal. A must see on every level!
Rating:
Summary: The Nile's Queen
Review: When I first saw "Cleopatra" (1963) at the theater it was a big let down. I think the public was awaiting something completely "out of the mold" after being bombed by an aggressive publicity campaign. It's my feeling that this was the cause of "Cleopatra" being initially a big flop.
More than thirty years after its release I saw this movie again and was amazed: such a great epoch reconstruction, such historical accurateness, such great performances from the three main characters!
The story is well known. A young and beautiful Egyptian princess seduces and gets protection and support from the mighty Roman general Julius Caesar. A love affair emerges and a boy is born. Cleopatra seeks Caesar to be King of Rome and his son to be his heir. Unfortunately March Ides arrive and Caesar is murdered by his entourage.
Cleopatra flies to Egypt; there she awaits the development of political events. Finally Marc Antony arrives and starts a new love affair. There is a final confrontation among the Roman rivals and fate is again blind to Cleopatra's hopes.
Decoration and Costume both won, deservedly, Oscar Award. A full scale reproduction of Alexandria's port and marketplace is shown. The Egyptian palaces' reconstruction is amazing. The same may be said of Roman buildings and halls.
Cleopatra's costumes are gorgeous, she wore 65 different! The wardrobe of all the cast is impeccable!
Special mentions must be addressed to: Rex Harrison's performance as Julius Caesar, sober and realistic, no overacting or histrionics; Elisabeth Taylor at the apex of her career is just adorable; Richard Burton gives the audience a passionate and ruthless personification of Marc Antony.
A film to be admired and treasured!
Reviewed by Max Yofre.
Rating:
Summary: THE BEST FROM OLD HOLLYWOOD
Review: Although Miss Taylor is no match compared to Vivien Leigh in CAESAR AND CLEOPATRA; this i s by far the best epic from old Hollywood - and the most entertaining..... Enough said. Ok, I can`t shut up; the arrival of Cleopatra into Rome is a masterpiece in itself... and the choreography is by the renowned Hermes Pan:-)
Rating: 
Summary: Spectacular Film About a Powerful Woman
Review: "Cleopatra" is a great film released in 1963 about rise and relationships of the woman herself played by Elizabeth Taylor. This five-time Oscar winning spectacular film gives a rise to audiences of all kinds. Its beauty is never to be forgotten. The hard work and dedication placed onto this film shows greatly. Such film quality answers why it's since become a highly remembered classic. Its brilliant plot follows the emotional path of Cleopatra through her rise in power and her life turbulances. The emotional value stands greatly beyond the spectacular surroundings. This doesn't distract from the many history details expressed. The love themes are romantic as any great love classic. The sense of loss and struggle, namely losing those closest to her and trying to stop the wars from erupting, are greatly present.All five Oscar wins were won for the spectacular surroundings that continue to amaze audiences after forty-one years: costume design, art direction, special effects, sets, cinematography. Few other films from the classic days was as elaborate as "Cleopatra". The multi-million dollars spent was worth it. The backgrounds are accurate desplictions of the actual Ancient Egypt and Ancient Rome. The buildings and the structure styles are amazing. The wardrobes are accurate to the actual styles worn by the characters. The elaborate costumes, namely the ones worn by Cleopatra, are unforgettable. This set a record for most costume changes by an actress for one film, 32, which would take 33 years to break ("Evita", 68). The make-up work blends perfectly with every costume. Elizabeth Taylor's role as Cleopatra is unforgettable. Her previous research of the subject is present. More perfect is the Oscar nominated role (Best Supporting Actor) of Caeser played by Rex Harrison. His expressions of love and life turbulances greatly improve the movie's theme. All other actors also play their roles wonderfully: Richard Burton, Martin Landau, Carroll O'Connor, and others. "Cleopatra" is a great classic film that will continue amazing audiences for many more years. This will leave them with an unforgettable experience. After viewing, those looking for more should also watch the bonus features, which have a lot of interesting details behind the film.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best epics ever made!
Review: I can't really add much to some of the wonderful reviews I have read about this DVD set (the 5 Star Collection). But I do want to say that if you love this movie or even just like this movie, the documentary that is included with this 3-disc set is worth buying this DVD set just by itself. It's one of the most entertaining and interesting documentaries I've ever seen on the making of a movie and all the interesting and strange events that happened while making the movie and after the movie. The movie is absolutely beautiful - the sets and costumes are magnificent - the money spent on this film is so obvious. I wish they would restore this movie to the director's original plan and put back the other half of the movie that was cut out! I would pay lots of money to buy a director's cut of this movie. But until that day comes, if ever, I highly recommend this DVD set. It's still one of my favorite movies of all time.
Rating:
Summary: The Cleo that we all know and love.
Review: Cleo's have come and gone. There have been many films and books depicting Cleo as she really was to great melodramatic Cleo. Three other popular Cleo's were the Claudette Colbert (1934), Vivien Leigh (1945), and Leonor Varela (1999). There were many more variations between those years.
The one Cleo that will always stand out and lets not forget Mark, is the one staring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton (1963). I was old enough to enjoy it on the big screen. Rex Harrison made a good Caesar; watch him have a similar attitude in "The Honey Pot" (1967). Enough time, thought, and money have been put into this production that I am bound to overlook a few of the most important items about this film. The movie is more than just the actors are. The characters are very well portrayed. The set and costumes are dazzling. They really showed up in the scene when Cleopatra enterd Rome. And the navel battle was spectacular. Every one is going to have a favorite Cleo and find flaws in the others. However this Cleo will always the one others are gauged by.
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