History
Biographical drama
Cleopatra (1963): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Cleopatra is a 1963 biographical drama directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, starring Rex Harrison, George Cole and Elizabeth Taylor. It runs 3 hours 12 minutes and earned $57.8 million worldwide on a $44 million budget. It won 4 Oscars, including Art Direction (Color) and Cinematography (Color). Critics gave it 60 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10.
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- Released
- Runtime
- 3h 12m (192 min)
- Director
- Joseph L. Mankiewicz
- Original language
-
Malayalam - Budget
- $44M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
The story
What Is Cleopatra About?
The premise of Cleopatra without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
This biographical film explores the life of Cleopatra, the last pharaoh of Egypt, and her passionate relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. The story follows her ambitions and struggles as she navigates political intrigue and fights to maintain her kingdom's independence during a period of Roman expansion. Witness her legendary charm and formidable strength in this sweeping historical drama.
Cleopatra Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- egypt
- queen
- epic
- peplum
- sword and sandal
- ancient egypt
- ancient rome
- roman empire
- female protagonist
- political intrigue
- femme fatale
- female nudity
+38 more Show fewer
- male nudity
- suicide by blade
- 1st century b.c.
- political marriage
- battle of actium
- honorable death
- library of alexandria
- triumvirate
- depression
- melancholy
- power hungry
- strong female lead
- strong female character
- war violence
- violence
- hand to hand combat
- combat
- sword
- sword fight
- roman salute
- roman senator
- politics
- politician
- melodrama
- emperor
- antiquity
- snake bite
- severed head
- sea battle
- ptolemaic dynasty
- civil war
- brother sister relationship
- caesar augustus
- blockbuster
- epilepsy
- based on true story
- title spoken by character
- bigamy
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Cast & crew
Cleopatra Cast
Rex Harrison leads the cast, with George Cole and Elizabeth Taylor. Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz; 10 actors are credited in all.
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Director Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Also Starring in Cleopatra
· 6 more Ratings
Cleopatra Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Cleopatra 60 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10.
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IMDb 7.0 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 60 Metascore
User score 6.7
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 70% User score
See on TMDB
Plot
Cleopatra Plot Summary
What happens in Cleopatra from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 16 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
After the pivotal Battle of Pharsalus in 48 BC, Julius Caesar (Rex Harrison) emerges as the undisputed ruler of Rome after defeating Pompey’s forces. At his side is his slave Flavious (George Cole). News comes from Canidius ([Andrew Faulds]), a general in Anthony’s cavalry, that Pompey has escaped, presumably on his way to Egypt. Setting his sights on the land of the Pharaohs, Julius pretends to take up the role of executor for the will of the late father of the young Pharaoh Ptolemy XIII ([Richard O’Sullivan]) and his sister Cleopatra (Elizabeth Taylor).
Full summary
The whole story of Cleopatra, scene by scene
Box office
Cleopatra Box Office & Budget
Cleopatra grossed $57.8 million worldwide on a $44 million budget, 1.3 times what it cost. $57.8 million came from the US and Canada and $786 (0%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$57.8M
1.3× its budget
- US & Canada
- $57.8M
- International
- $786
- Budget
- $44M
US & Canada 100%
Rest of the world 0%
Awards
Cleopatra Awards & Nominations
Cleopatra won 4 Oscars, including Art Direction (Color) and Cinematography (Color). Its biggest night was the Oscars 1964, with 4 wins from 9 nominations.
4 wins13 nominations2 ceremonies
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Oscars 1964 4 wins · 9 nominations- Won Art Direction (Color)
- Won Cinematography (Color)
- Won Costume Design (Color)
- Won Special Effects
- Nominated Actor – Rex Harrison
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Golden Globes 1964 4 nominations- Nominated Best Director – Joseph L. Mankiewicz
- Nominated Best Motion Picture – Drama
- Nominated Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama (Actor) – Rex Harrison
- Nominated Best Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama, Comedy or Musical (Supporting Actor) – Roddy McDowall
Videos
Cleopatra Trailers & Videos
7 videos: 2 trailers and 5 featurettes.
- Trailer Cleopatra Blu-Ray - Official® Trailer [HD]
- Featurette Dan Ireland on CLEOPATRA
- Featurette Hud and Cleopatra Win Cinematography: 1964 Oscars
- Featurette "Cleopatra" winning the Oscar® for Special Effects
Quiz
How Well Do You Know Cleopatra?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who plays the character of Julius Caesar in the film?
Details
Cleopatra Also Known As
15 alternative titles, including “Cléopâtre” and “Клеопатра”.
- Also known as
-
- Cléopâtre
- Клеопатра
- Kleopatra
- Cleopatra – deel 2
- 埃及艳后
- Kleopátra
- Κλεοπάτρα
- Cleópatra
- קליאופטרה
- 클레오파트라
- 埃及艷后
- クレオパトラ, კლეოპატრა
+3 more Show fewer
- 埃及妖后
- คลีโอพัตรา
- Nữ Hoàng Cleopatra
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From the blog
Articles About Cleopatra
Our article about Cleopatra: “The Renaissance of Historical Epics in Modern Film”.
FAQ
Cleopatra FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Cleopatra, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Cleopatra?
Cleopatra runs 3 hours 12 minutes (192 minutes).
When was Cleopatra released?
Cleopatra was released on June 12, 1963.
Who directed Cleopatra?
Cleopatra was directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz.
More films by Joseph L. Mankiewicz Who is in the cast of Cleopatra?
Cleopatra stars Rex Harrison, George Cole and Elizabeth Taylor, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Cleopatra make at the box office?
Cleopatra grossed $57.8 million worldwide ($57.8 million domestic, $786 international) on a budget of $44 million.
How is Cleopatra rated?
Cleopatra has 7.0/10 on IMDb, 60 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.
What awards did Cleopatra win?
Cleopatra won 4 awards from 13 nominations, including Art Direction (Color) at the Oscars 1964.
Does Cleopatra have a post-credit scene?
No. Cleopatra has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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