Rating: 
Summary: Cleopatra
Review: A warning about the DVD transfer. A small problem exists on disk two scene 35. It looks like a production/transfer problem that jogs and then freezes the movie. I encountered this on two DVDs using two different players. I suggest you hold off buying this DVD until FOX corrects the problem and re-releases. Otherwise this is a grate film and the extras are well worth the wait. 5 stars after the problem is fixed.
Rating: 
Summary: Opulent film, amazing DVD
Review: I'd rate the film 4 stars but since it is presented on one of the best DVD sets ever, I gave it 5 stars. The extras on the DVD aren't huge in number - but in quality. The best of the bunch is the 2-hours-documentary that isn't just a documentary about 'Cleopatra' but also about 20th Century Fox and its financial crisis in the 60's. It's very insightful - and a great movie by its own right. (Narrated by Robert Culp, btw). The other extras like the original documentary from 1964 and a bunch of trailers are nicely presented too and finally there's a commentary I didn't have the time yet to listen to (it's 4 hours long, remember? :) - which features Tom Mankiewicz (son of the director and writer of several Bond-movies) as well as "Oscar"-winning actor Martin Landau and others. The film itself is definitely one of the most notorious productions in Hollywood history, as the documentary finely puts it. It could never have been reviewed properly in its own time because of all the press and disasters surrounding it. 'Titanic' or 'Apocalypse Now' come to mind when one hears about all the stuff that happened - but 'Cleopatra' beats them all. It's definitely not the biggest flop ever (it cost $44 Mio and never made profit in cinemas) and surely not an artistic flop! Mankiewicz two-movie version (2 x 3 hrs.) might be lost, but his 243 minutes cut, although very long, is a beautiful, personal, well acted, stunningly filmed spectacle that doesn't grip the viewer like (let's say) 'Ben-Hur' does, but that has a beauty of its own. And while you watch it, you think 'something like that will never be done again'. It could be done with CGI today, but I guess even then it would be expensive. And let's be honest: I was a big fan of 'Gladiator' but some of the CGI-effects (example: when we're inside a Roman building with Commodus and look outside ...) aren't really good. The perfect transfer of 'Cleopatra' (a movie that is now 40 years old) makes them look even weaker. An epic movie on a breathtaking DVD. 'Fox' has done very well with its 5-stars-collection (another great one: 'ID4' - and although not of the 5-stars-collection: 'Abyss' and the fantastic 'Fight Club') and one really wishes, Fox wouldn't had such a bad start with its first DVDs. I know 'Titanic' came out on a Paramount-disc, but wouldn't it be time to make this a 5-stars-Fox-DVD? ... and Episodes I, IV, V and VI would look great in a silver 5-star-box too :)
Rating:
Summary: AMAZING FEAT
Review: That a film as good as CLEOPATRA is was created at all under the maddness and panic of it's legenary produciton is indeed an amazing feat. That CLEOPATRA has been given such loving care in it's restoration in this DVD of the "Roadshow" print and the attendent bonus materials is a wonderous gift to those who love this film. The documentary, "Cleopatra: The Film That Changed Hollywood" is in on it's own an engrossing and informative two hour movie. For anyone who knows little of the history of CLEOPATRA, or who was not arround at the time, this documentary will give them the feeling of what those last days of old Hollywood was like. And therein one can find the reasons why this intimate epic is indeed the wonder that it is. Many thanks to the Mankiewicz family and the producers of the documentary. The print and the sound of CLEOPATRA seems now to surpass what I recall it to be in it's first presentation nearly forty years ago. The depth of the colors and the richness of the shadows are indeed splendid. In it's present form it is hard to believe this film is as old as it is. The comentary track is in and of itself like finding the lost treasures of the long dead monarch. For there are wonderful rememberings by Martin Landau, Tom and Chris Mankiewicz, and even Jack Brodsky gets to read sections from his book "The Cleopatra Papers". But I must give special mention to Landau's part. With his keen eye for the art direction of John DeCur one sees things in the background and along the edges of the scene that one never noticed before. Such lovingly detailed sets and interiors will never be seen again. The costs today are just too prohibitive. Also his insights into what was cut from the film, particularly his and Richard Burton's contributions in the second act give one the idea of what Mankiewicz was intending. Poor Richard suffered the unkindest cut of all. The persentation of the DVD menues are so clever and exotic and are to be comended in their art direction. At last we now know what is behind the massive 20th Century Fox logo! The film itself remains what it has always been. A good film that might have been great if only Zanuck had but trusted Joe Mankiewicz' orginal vision. They say they are looking for the missing film, one can only hope that they succeed. The performances range from eccelent to good. Particular praise must go to Rex Harrison, Richard Burton, Martin Landau, Robert Stephens, Andrew Keir, and Roddy McDowall. Lastly in this department there remains Elizabeth Taylor's performance as Cleopatra. At the films release she got the brickbats and for reasons that had nothing to do with her performance. It is always hard to seperate the history of the lady from her film roles. But here in this film is where she became the ELIZABETH TAYLOR she has remained in the mind of the world to this day. In this fact alone she is perfect in the role. She is at once regal and comanding, strong and tender, soft and hard. The contridictions that have always been at the heart of Cleopatra herself. The public enigma wrapped within a mystery. In her performance as written by Mankiewicz she is probably not too far off from the historical Cleopatra. Finaly, ever since Judith Crist gave CLEOPATRA the needle in 1963 and in the act made her name, the public. for the most part, has viewed this film a failure. But today, stripped of the scandal, hype and hesteria of it's release in June of '63 it is now possible to view CLEOPARTA as the film it is. Historicaly this is an important DVD and I recomend it highly. CLEOPATRA remains as seductive, beautiful, and inteligent as it was in Walter Wanger's original conception. "Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale her infinite variety."
Rating:
Summary: This is a good film.
Review: Regardless of what critics say this is a good film.The entire film has never been seen,and it isn't here either.There are still a few hours of cut footage somewhere.But for now this version is what is available.The production,writing,music and even the acting is far above what we are subjected to today,with most films being filmed and edited like a music video,by marginally talented people.Give this film a chance,a single entire viewing in one sitting and you'llbe won over.It is long,but there is an intermission,just like in the theater.By no means a great film,but a very good one.The only complaint I have is that after doing such a beautiful job on restoring the picture and sound,the Fox people left out the "Exit Music",which was included in all previous editions.I understand that this is being corrected for future pressings.This film is a good oportunity to see how real filmgoing was back in the 50's & 60's when you had reserved seats,Huge screens,great sound and above all a quiet appreciative audience to enjoy the spectacle with.
Rating: 
Summary: Good
Review: This is a great movie on the whole. It is beautifully set and filmed and is a very glamourous movie. However the development of the characters is poor- Antony was obviously meant to be a great and habdsome leader but came across as a total nutter!(I know he went mad during the end but the film shows him being crazy all the way through). Also Cleopatra wasn't in it nearly enough to make the filmed named after her. Apart from those points this film is worth seeing.
Rating:
Summary: The Epic Movie That Launched A Thousand Cinematic Moments
Review: There's no other movie as lavish and rich as Cleopatra. And despite its controversial "run-away" budget.... its cast being plagued by eerie illnesses.... and its major stars' diva attitude--this epic romance made cinematic history in terms of style, content and appeal. All of these can be described visually at best in its grandest scene when Cleopatra entered Rome. In the tradition of Be-Hur, this is a must have for any collector! Love it!
Rating:
Summary: It's long but worth it - a misunderstood epic
Review: ... I am well acquainted with epics depicting the ancient world and power-hungry personalities. I am also old enough to remember when they were making this movie, and I'm here to state that don't let yourself be fooled by an negative press. The movie may be a bit long, but the sheer intelligence of its script, the need to detail ancient Rome are spellbinding. The distractions of Miss Taylor's throat operation and love affairs should not take away from the movie's credibility as a truly intelligent epic with outstanding performances, most notably Rex Harrison as Caesar. Gosh, you hang on every word that comes out of his mouth! Full-sized sets and quinquerimes ( Cleo's enormous ship ), the Battle of Actium and on and on. ...This is a great movie, and don't miss out on it! Trust me, I'm not often a victim of hyperbole.
Rating:
Summary: Grandious epic with all the right ingridients!
Review: Cleopatra VHS ~ Elizabeth Taylor is well in league with other epics of the time, e.g., Spartacus, Ben-Hur et al. Elizabeth Taylor is sexy, deceitful and dubiously intelligent in her role as the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra. Richard Burton and Rex Harrison are by no means second or even third fiddle but play their roles with great competence, splendid ability and an intensity that is rarely seen displayed by today's actors. As for the set; well, the set is simply in epic proportions and there is no way that a movie of this scale could be done in this era (and they did it all without the use of computers; which in itself makes the achievement so much more remarkable). The music adds layers of drama and cannot be said to be a distraction; in fact, it builds up the atmosphere and adds another layer to an already astounding movie.
Rating:
Summary: WOW!!
Review: This movie keeps' getting a bad wrap, but for what? True it is a bit long but the sets, the scenery...AMAZING!! Hollywood couldn't make a movie like this today without a computer...think about it, these sets were built!! I'm just waiting for it to be released on DVD!
Rating:
Summary: The greatest Roman epic of them all
Review: Seeing Cleopatra in the theater in 1963 was an astounding event even then. To see it at a distance of nearly forty years is to experience great film making over again. Of all of Hollywood's various reincarnations of ancient Rome (up to, and including the recent "Gladiator") this film stands as probably the most completely satisfying, and artistically solid of all such efforts. There isn't a mis-cast role. The level of acting is excellent throughout. Visually, and in every other way technically stunning, one wishes for the wide screen perspective: the standard pan-scan presentation is horrid. Alex North's score is probably his best (considering that he previously wrote the music for 2001, A Space Odyssey before Kubrick killed it and decided to use music "in the public domain.") This is a very long film. Do not expect snappy, tight flip-flopping from one situation to another. The exposition of the material is extremely detailed and needs its expansive development. If you can't sit still and follow a complicated story, don't even start this film. If, on the other hand, you can deal with Shakespeare and ancient history sumptuously presented, then you are in for a marvelous treat. In truth, this is real film making - not hot shot special effects wedded to toilet bowl morality, horrid acting and total emptiness. Forget the Burton/Taylor romance and all the other garbage associated with this movie. Most of the blood and guts in this film takes place in your mind - where it properly belongs. What you do see is all the more devastating for its implications. A much maligned masterpiece, this.
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