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Summary: Based on a novel"The Memoirs of Cleopatra"by Margaret George
Review: History for the longest time was based upon stories that were told and retold. History for the longest time was not necessarily facts, but stories told more for entertainment and or to convey lessons and how to live. The story of Cleopatra has been told many times in different ways for different purposes. This particular movie was based on a novel "The Memoirs of Cleopatra: A Novel" ISBN: 0312187459. It is just as true in its way as Shakespeare's Cleopatra is in its way. One the major advantage of this movie, is that the actors to not overwhelm the characters with their personality. You could not create better actors than the ones that were selected for these parts. Timothy Dalton made a great Caesar and instead of speaking like an orator, he made it seem like a real person actually negotiating an understanding the situation. And who would not fall in love with Leonor Varela as Cleopatra? Depending on whether you are an action person a romantic scene person, the film sometimes seen as like it is dragging and at other times moves at a good pace. Either way this movie is worth viewing.
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Summary: Great Movie
Review: I thought this movie was very well done, and the story is an amazing one to tell. My father's cousin is Leonor Varela and she was very good, along with Billy Zane. The movie is not that great during the war scene, but the movie was very modivating and powerful. A Great Movie to see!
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Summary: Great Movie !
Review: I think this was a very good movie. For those interested in Cleopatra and her lifestyle watch this newer version movie. When I saw it on tv I thought of how it would be nice to auctually own this movie- glad to see it here!
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Summary: Seductively Entertaining!
Review: The movie was increadible. For those of you who love epic movies, this is one that will keep you on the edge of your seat especially if you love romantically based epic movies. The chemistry between Leonor Varela and Billy Zane is more than evident. They both play outstanding roles that are passionate and seductive. Timothy Dalton plays a good role, he really captures the big ego that Ceaser probably had. This movie takes you back in time and will make you wish you were alive during that era. The music, scenery, and costumes get an A plus. As for the history well it's Hollywood not history class it's meant for fun and fantasy and the movie definitely captured that. So check out the movie for Billy (who is FINE!), Leonor who is beautifull and plays a good role, and especially for their romatic scenes (not to mention the music, set, and costumes!) which make the movie well worth buying and renting.
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Summary: Interesting but not precise!
Review: I enjoyed this movie. It was very interesting to watch. I think that most of the acting was done great and the costumes were amazing. Yet, the story was not very accurate. For example Marc Anthony was NOT killed. He commited suicide. Little things like that can get the history of Cleopatra mixed up. Besides that the movie was very entertaining and I had a good time watching it. Read the history before seeing this movie!
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Summary: Entertaining look at a legendary figure
Review: This latest remake of Cleopatra is well done and surprisingly good for a TV movie (now in rental). I saw it on VHS in its entirety rather than broken down into two parts in the mini-series. The costumes and sets were very well done, and true to the period. The battle scenes were lacking in realism, probably due to the prospects of a TV audience. The naval battles looked a little too much like toy models (which of course they were). The slave galleys showing the men rowing the boats were pristine and shiny like the cabin of some rich yacht, an obvious error. My biggest bewilderment came over the fact that they shot this movie on video tape. They tried to make it look like film in the post production, but it didn't work. This seems to be fairly common practice in TV movies, but for a movie of this magnitude, where they obviously had a big budget for numerous sets, hundreds of extras, costumes and the like, why shoot it on video tape? It detracted from the overall richness of the photography and the movie as a whole. This is particularly disappointing since the sets and costumes were so meticulously well done. The directing in this movie was very good. Franc Roddam coordinated the movements of large groups of people in very realistic ways. The camera work was very good and gave the viewer a lot of interesting perspectives. Unfortunately, there were some serious liberties taken with historical fact. For instance the film shows Ptolemy to be a cowering 12 years old when Caesar arrives in 47 BC. He was actually 19. It shows Caesar demanding that Cleopatra marry her brother, but she was married to him long before Caesar arrived in Egypt. The film shows Cleopatra having her sister Arsinoe killed and her brother-husband being killed in pursuit before Caesar left, but neither of those things happened. As a matter of fact, both were alive and well in 44 BC when Caesar was murdered. Also, there is no definitive evidence that Cleopatra's son was fathered by Caesar and certainly no evidence that Caesar publicly declared such. The biggest perversion of the truth was the death of Mark Antony. He did not die from wounds received in a naval battle. He committed suicide. Cleopatra realized that Octavian would defeat Antony and felt she had to get rid of him for political reasons. So she had her servants send word to him that she was dead and in grief he fell on his sword. The story completely neglects her attempt at trying to seduce Octavian and his rebuking of her. It treats their last encounter more like a business negotiation. This was not inconsequential since it was one of the motivations for her suicide. The acting was extremely well done. First honors go to Timothy Dalton for a powerful rendition of Caesar. He was both potent and passionate, just the way one would expect a brilliant ego maniac like Caesar to be. Billy Zane delivered an excellent performance of the complex Mark Antony. I've seen criticism of his portrayal as being too sniveling with Cleopatra, but in reality he was utterly submissive to her and despite being a powerful leader, he was her emotional slave. He was torn between Rome and his obsession with Cleopatra, and continually submitted to her will. He carried off the internal conflict very well. Leonor Varela is a newcomer and a little rough around the edges. In certain areas, she was magnificent. She captured the cunning seductiveness of Cleopatra, using her siren sexuality as a weapon to achieve her aims. She looked stunningly alluring, and her many translucent robes sometimes made it difficult to concentrate on the dialogue. Unfortunately, she tended to overact the emotional parts, especially rage. Hopefully, she will improve with experience. I rate this movie a 7/10. If it were shot on film I probably would have added at least a point, maybe two. It was extremely entertaining and I would recommend those who missed it on TV to rent or purchase the video.
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Summary: Disappointment of the Nile
Review: Because the magnificent Billy Zane was in this movie, I didn't think I would have to expect too much from this crock--now I do. What's sad about this film is that (a horribly untalented) Leonor Varela makes the great and beautiful Cleopatra look like a street whore, and when the scene for the overthrow of Egypt occurs, it seems over inadequate to see her begin to say something intelligent (also, the script is terrible and unrealistic). Timothy Dalton was good, but not for this role: I couldn't see him as Caesar. Billy Zane, although his acting was lovely, it was overdone and hammy. The sets and musical score are beautiful, but it just goes downhill from there-you'd wish it was a silent film! I wouldn't purchase this movie if it were FREE! Don't waste your money (Go see the Elizabeth Taylor version--she can actually act!).
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Summary: Very well done.
Review: The music in this movie takes you from your living room sofa to the ecstasies of this beautiful land; Egypt. The colors, costumes, and sets were very believable and beautiful. Leonor is a beautiful actress, and played her part very well. The director obviously did not intend to make this an acurate history documentary, and so the part Leonor was given to act out, was not going to be exactly true to life. She is a true artist. Timothy made a wonderful Ceazar, and Zane was great as Marc Antony. The battle scenes weren't the best I've seen, but over all, the movie was very enjoyable and captivating. I liked the music so much, I'm planning on buying a cd of the soundtrack. I especially love the temple scenes. Definitely recommended. But not for children. Enjoy!
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Summary: Best movie!
Review: This is the best movie I have ever seen! Billy Zane (Marc Antony) is such a good actor and is sooo cute!
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Summary: The Real Cleopatra
Review: well this movie isn`t the best , it protrays cleopatra in a really bad way. i gave it these stars becsause i love egypt(1 star) and billy zane(2 stars) they need more acting abiliteis.they make her look like a 25 cent well u know . for those of you belive in past lives , i was cleopatra. they make me look bad in every way, and they for got three of my children and the fact that marc antony comited sucicide and died in my arms , i still flinch at the memory of his death.
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