Cleopatra

Rating:
Summary: A well done movie.
Review: Many people criticize the lack of historical accuracy in this production, and understandably so. However, if you do not take a historical viewpoint and view the movie as you would view any other romance-tear jerker, you would realize that it is well done and the actors and actresses have done a superb job. It seems that by now people would realize that the last place you should go to for historical accuracy is a made for t.v. movie. Reading other reviews, I become slightly annoyed with other's disgust with Cleopatra. Their main argument was that, hisorically speaking, the movie was extremely off base and the characters were poorly portrayed. I would ask anyone watching this movie to keep in mind that the producers, directors, and actors who participated in this production were targeting a general audience. Unfortunately, the general audience is composed of people who merely want to be entertained, not educated. This movie accomplishes it's purpose, to entertain, which makes me believe that it is worthwhile. Congratulations to Billy Zane and Timothy Dalton for a job well done in portraying two of Rome's most famous characters: Marc Antony and Julius Caesar. Leonor Varela, while her Cleopatra was not the one whom I have come to know and love so well from history books and biographies, seems to have taken a lot of grief for her performance. I believe that she suffered from poorly written dialogue (the writers disregarded the real Cleopatra's intelligence and wit) and carried her part well. In short, I award this movie four stars. I enjoyed it thoroughly and would like to see the actors and actresses receive more credit for their performances, as they all did excellent jobs.

Rating:
Summary: History (According to HOLLYWOOD!)
Review: Margaret George wrote the extraordinary novel (THE MEMOIRS OF CLEOPATRA) that this video is based on. After reading this book, which was the most incredible read I've had in years, I became worried when I heard that it was to be filmed as a two-part miniseries. My concerns were justified after seeing the movie. Part I begins OK. However, the director/writer began veering from History when Cleopatra has her sister murdered. In truth, Arsinoe isn't executed until shortly after the Queen begins her affair with Antony. More historical errors occured in Part I, when Cleopatra and Antony meet for the first time.....(they had actually already met in Egypt when she was 14). And though the attempt on Caesarion's life was a unique twist to the tale, it probably never happened. Octavian was studying in Athens during the time, and wasn't even IN Rome at the time of Caesar's assassination. Part II was REALLY BAD! First of all, Brutus was not murdered.....but joined Cassius in suicide. Ratings aside, I thought it absolutely tragic to have portrayed the lust of Antony & Cleopatra and not their LOVE. There wasn't one tender moment pictured between two people who were obviously committed enough to one another in their marriage "until death" DID part them. And though it is true that Octavian made overtures to Cleopatra about having Antony killed, she NEVER made such an attempt. Lastly, Antony made it back to Alexandria after having his troops desert him in a final battle attempt. There, he fell on his sword and was taken to the Queen, his wife. He was NOT wounded in battle as the film portrays. For a director who claimed to have wanted to "do CLEOPATRA right" this time, I'm afraid the only kudos go to the incredible set and costumes, which are stunning. However, when portraying one of history's most touching stories, at LEAST get the history right!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: An epic of grand scale!
Review: This movie was amazing, especially for being made for TV. Great, wonderful, awesome... all of the above.

Rating:
Summary: Not bad for a TV movie
Review: This isn't half bad for a TV movie. Tim Dalton turns in a reasonable performance as Julius Caesar, whilst Billy Zane is palatable as the flawed Mark Anthony. The lady who plays good Queen Cleo? Well, er, no comment (though nice eye candy). Loved the battle scene at the end when Billy's rather depleted legion takes on Octavian's huge army outside Alexandria; this was rather more realistic than Richard Burton's bravadoesque single-handed charge/gesture at the climax of his '60s interpretation of the Anthony and Cleopatra story. Though Burton has several thousand gallons more charisma than Zane of course.

Rating:
Summary: Thrilling drama
Review: Dramas based on history, usually are not historically accurate. This movie is not less historically accurate that Shakespeare's Julius Caesar or Anthony and Cleopatra.
The fact is that it is a thrilling drama, with steamy romance, gripping action and intrigue.
It is probably true from the evidence that Cleopatra was not an extremely beautiful woman, which leads some to fault the casting of the gorgeous Leonora Varela.
But it is totally unfair to fault Leonora as an actress. She is a fantastic actress, and it is great to watch her Cleopatra. Indeed, who could not fall in love with Leonora Varela's Cleopatra? So what if she is not Elizabeth Taylor (she is rather more beautiful than Elizabeth Taylor)

The truth is that Cleopatra in reality was, no doubt, an unscrupulous, and scheming woman, and if anything the casting of the lovely Leonora, in her very sensually charged portrayal of this role, makes me more sympathetic to her character.
I hope to see much more of Leonora, she'd make a great Osnat, the wife of the Yosef, the Hebrew who rose to become Prince of Egypt, Queen Esther of the Purim story, or Pocahontas.

Timothy Dalton as always, was his grand self and added the required force to the role of Julius Caesar, and Billy Zane knew how to do a great Mark Anthony.

I thought some particularly memorable scenes are where Cleopatra shows some skill with weapons in defending herself from would-be-assassins, the portrayal of the Roman Senate, the rally after Caesar's assasination where Mark Anthony swears revenge against Caesar's murderers and enflames the crowd against Brutus , Cassius and company , and the recreation of Alexandria.
Octavian is well displayed as a scheming, power-player, and whoever had the idea of him presenting Brutus' head to Mark Anthony in a basket.

And a nice role played by Kassandra Voyagis as Cleopatra's short lived sister Arsinoe. I was sad to see her go like that, and it certainly showed Cleopatra's cruel side.

Rating:
Summary: Best "Cleo" Yet
Review: This is the best Cleo on the market. Exotic sets & scenery, steamy love scenes. The script is sameoldsameold, but what can you do with this story? The beauty in the title role sends Liz back to Beverly Hills, & the acting level of these two stars is about even.

Rating:
Summary: One Awesome Movie
Review: I orginally saw this movie on tv but I missed a lot of it. I was really interested in seeing the entire movie so I bought the DVD. Trust me it was worth it. I love the costumes that they used in the movie and Leonor Varela isa great actress. She was perfect for the role as Cleopatra. I recommend this movie to everyone.

Rating:
Summary: Alright
Review: I enjoyed this movie. The sets and costumes were believable. Being the Egypt fanatic I am, I loved the details, like the paintings in the temples. Of course, if you actually wanted to learn about Cleopatra, this movie gives a bad impression. Leonor Varela makes Cleopatra appear childlike and whining. In reality, Cleopatra was a strong and powerful woman. Also, Cleopatra was not very pretty. Hardly Leonor Varela! However, if you love ancient Egypt and are looking for a pleasure movie (not an educational one), this is a good choice. The acting is mediocre, but by the end I had an enjoyable experience.

Rating:
Summary: Simply the best Cleopatra movie Ever
Review: I thought this movie was the best. I have had a love for egyt for many years. Cleopatra was a great queen and is one reason I love egypt so very much. i did start to watch the Elizabeth Taylor Cleopatra movie, but could not sit throuh it. This version is so much better, I have seen it about 100 times and it never fails to be one of my absolute favorite movies. long Live Cleopatra.

Rating:
Summary: Not a bad movie for a really boring sunday afternoon
Review: The sights of Egypt were people. The costumes were believeable and nicely done. The music was touching. However, the story itself was really botched. I am a fan of Cleopatra's. I generally can not even compare it to former movies done about this group of historical figures. To the director, please stop trying to change history. It's really sucks when you try to improve on the orginial. The acting wasn't two bad by the men but as for the lead female. She lost me.