Antony and Cleopatra 1972

In Egypt, messengers from Rome arrive to inform Antony Charlton Heston, a Roman general and member of the Second Triumvirate, of Rome’s shifting political tides. Antony, who has fallen in love with Cleopatra Hildegard Neil, the Queen of Egypt, is initially reluctant to engage, but Cleopatra’s presence and persuasive charm draw him into the wider game of power. Proculeius informs Antony that his wife Fulvia has died after she and Antony’s brother Lucius Antonius had risen up against Octavius John Castle. The news casts a shadow over passion with a reminder that political loyalties remain in play.

In Rome, Octavius John Castle notifies Lepidus Fernando Rey that Antony has neglected his duties, and the two men plot to raise an army against Sextus Pompey Freddie Jones. Antony returns to Rome to mend relations with Octavius, while Agrippa Douglas Wilmer suggests a political arrangement that would tie Antony to Octavia Carmen Sevilla. Before any decisive move, the triumvirs meet Pompey and bargain for control of Sicily and Sardinia in exchange for driving out pirates and paying tribute. After some hesitation, Sextus Pompey agrees. Menas Peter Arne reads the room and sees a chance to tilt the Republic’s future, but Sextus resists the idea of ruling Rome himself.

Back in Egypt, Cleopatra learns of Antony’s marriage to Octavia and strikes the messenger for delivering the news, a harsh reminder of how personal and political lines blur. She then sends her own messenger to witness the ceremony in Rome, and the report returns to Egypt with vivid detail about Octavia’s appearance. In Rome, Antony asks a soothsayer about whether his fortunes will rise compared to Octavius’s, and the soothsayer sides with Octavius while warning Antony to keep his distance. Antony returns to Egypt and renews his partnership with Cleopatra, crowning both as co-regents of Egypt, signaling a blend of personal power and dynastic ambition.

In response, Octavius realizes Antony’s dissatisfaction with Sextus Pompey’s territories and moves to consolidate power by moving against Lepidus, the remaining member of the Triumvirate. The political clock ticks toward war as both sides rally their forces, and Enobarbus urges Antony to fight on land, arguing Octavius’s navy holds the advantage at sea. Antony chooses the naval route, aided by Cleopatra, and the two fleets clash in a dramatic struggle that ends in retreat and defeat. Antony returns to the palace in shame, while Cleopatra offers comfort; their kiss becomes a fragile moment of solace amid a shattered campaign.

As night falls on the eve of battle, the soothsayer’s voice returns, signaling caution as Octavius refuses a truce. Thidias John Hallam, a messenger, is sent to Cleopatra with terms to seduce her away from Antony. She hesitates but flirts with the envoy until Antony storms in and rebukes her, and Thidias is whipped. Antony and Cleopatra endure the strain, and Antony forgives the queen, clinging to their shared sense of purpose even as the political storm intensifies.

The next day brings a brutal one-on-one challenge as Antony’s forces march toward Octavius’s near Alexandria. Enobarbus Eric Porter stays behind with the hope that a miracle will save them, but the tide turns against Antony’s army. Believing their fate sealed, Antony’s soldiers desert, and he confronts a new reality of loss. He lashes out at Cleopatra for perceived betrayal, and Cleopatra withdraws to a monument, sending a false report of her death through her messenger to drive a final wedge of pain into Antony’s heart. Grief-stricken, Antony asks Eros Garrick Hagon to end him, but Eros refuses and takes his own life instead, leaving Antony to kill himself with his sword.

As the dust settles, the soothsayer’s warning proves true in a grim way: Cleopatra is alive. Antony dies in Cleopatra’s arms, and Octavius learns of Antony’s death, dispatching Proculeius Julian Glover to demand Cleopatra’s surrender. Cleopatra’s life becomes a chess piece in a larger game of mercy and humiliation, and she imagines a future of subjugation. She chooses her own fate with an asp, followed by Charmian Jane Lapotaire and Iras Monica Peterson by her side. Octavius resolves to bury Cleopatra beside Antony, honoring their memory in a manner fit for a poet’s tragedy, even as the Republic’s wider power struggles press on.