Carry On Cleo 1964
Carry On Cleo Plot Summary
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Carry On Cleo (1964). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
The film opens during Caesar’s invasions of Britain, with Marc Antony struggling to lead his armies through miserable weather. At a nearby village, Horsa and Hengist Pod try to alert Boudica to the invasion, but are captured by the Romans.
Once in Rome, [Horsa] is sold by the slave-trading firm Marcus et Spencius, and [Hengist] faces a fate to be thrown to the lions when no-one agrees to buy him. [Horsa] escapes and takes refuge in the Temple of Vesta. While hiding there, Caesar arrives to consult the Vestal Virgins, but an attempt is made on his life by his bodyguard, Bilius. In the melee, [Horsa] kills [Bilius] and escapes, leaving Hengist Pod to take the credit for saving Caesar’s life and to be made Caesar’s new bodyguard.
When a power struggle emerges in Egypt, [Marc Antony] is sent to force Cleopatra to abdicate in favour of Ptolemy. However, [Marc Antony] becomes besotted with her, and instead kills Ptolemy off-screen to win her favour. Cleopatra convinces [Marc Antony] to kill Caesar and become ruler of Rome himself so that they may rule a powerful Roman-Egyptian alliance together. After seducing one another, [Marc Antony] agrees, and plots to kill Caesar.
Caesar and Hengist travel to Egypt on a galley, along with Agrippa, whom [Marc Antony] has convinced to kill Caesar. However, [Horsa] has been re-captured and is now a slave on Caesar’s galley. After killing the galley-master, [Horsa] and the galley slaves kill [Agrippa] and his fellow assassins and swim to Egypt. Hengist, who had been sent out to fight [Agrippa] and was unaware of [Horsa]‘s presence on board, again takes the credit.
Once at Cleopatra’s palace, an Egyptian soothsayer warns [Caesar] of the plot to kill him, but [Marc Antony] persuades Caesar not to flee. Instead, Caesar convinces Hengist to change places with him, since Cleopatra and Caesar have never met. On meeting, Cleopatra lures Hengist, who accidentally exposes both Cleopatra and [Marc Antony] as would-be assassins. He and Caesar then ally with [Horsa], and after defeating Cleopatra’s bodyguard Sosages in combat, Hengist and the party flee Egypt. Caesar is returned to Rome, only to be assassinated on the Ides of March. [Horsa] and Hengist Pod return to Britain, and [Marc Antony] is left in Egypt to live >one long Saturday night< with Cleopatra.
Carry On Cleo Timeline
Follow the complete movie timeline of Carry On Cleo (1964) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Invasion of Britain and capture of Horsa and Hengist
The film opens with Caesar's invasions of Britain, while Mark Antony struggles to lead his armies through miserable weather. In a nearby village, cavemen Horsa and Hengist Pod attempt to alert Boudica to the invasion but are captured by the Romans. Their capture sets off a chain of events that pulls Britain, Rome, and Egypt into a single, chaotic plot.
Horsa and Hengist sold and escape to Vesta
Back in Rome, Horsa is sold by the slave-trading firm Marcus et Spencius, while Hengist is doomed to be thrown to the lions when no buyer appears. The two cavemen escape their fate and seek refuge in the Temple of Vesta, hoping to avoid Roman anger. Their escape marks the unlikely beginning of a lifelong connection with Julius Caesar.
Caesar's near-death and the new bodyguard
Inside the Temple of Vesta, Julius Caesar arrives to consult the Vestal Virgins and a sudden danger erupts when his bodyguard Bilius launches a failed assassination. Horsa kills Bilius in the melee, and Hengist gleefully takes credit for saving Caesar and becomes his new bodyguard. The two cavemen's fortunes flip as Caesar's entourage grudgingly accepts them.
Antony's mission to Egypt and Ptolemy's fate
A power struggle erupts in Egypt as Mark Antony is sent to force Cleopatra to abdicate in favor of Ptolemy. Antony is won over by Cleopatra's charm and, off-screen, eliminates Ptolemy to secure her favor. This act reshapes the balance of power and sets the stage for a Rome-Egypt alliance.
Caesar, Cleopatra, and the plot to kill Caesar
Cleopatra convinces Antony to kill Caesar and rule Rome together, forging a potent alliance between the two rulers. The pair seduce one another and plot to advance their plan, drawing Hengist deeper into the conspiracy.
The voyage to Egypt and the slave on the Galley
Caesar and Hengist travel to Egypt on a galley, accompanied by Agrippa whom Antony has convinced to kill Caesar. Horsa has been recaptured and is a slave on Caesar's galley. After killing the galley-master, Horsa and the galley slaves kill Agrippa and his fellow assassins and swim ashore in Egypt, while Hengist, sent out to fight Agrippa and unaware of Horsa's presence, again takes credit for the victory.
Caesar and Hengist switch places to meet Cleopatra
Arriving in Cleopatra's palace, an Egyptian soothsayer warns Caesar of the plot against him, but Mark Antony persuades Caesar not to flee. Instead, Caesar convinces Hengist to switch places with him, since Cleopatra and Caesar have never met, hoping to meet the enigmatic queen.
Cleopatra's meeting and the exposure of the plot
When Cleopatra finally meets Hengist, she lures him in and he inadvertently exposes both Cleopatra and Antony as would-be assassins. Hengist and Caesar then ally with Horsa and fight their way through Cleopatra's guards, finally fleeing Egypt together after defeating Sosages.
Caesar's return and assassination
Caesar is returned to Rome, only to be assassinated on the Ides of March. Horsa and Hengist survive the upheaval and begin plotting their next moves as Britain calls.
Horses and Hengist return to Britain; Antony's fate in Egypt
Horsa and Hengist return to Britain, while Mark Antony remains in Egypt to live 'one long Saturday night' with Cleopatra, hinting at an unsettled world order. Their return marks a curious bridge between Roman intrigue and looming British horizons.
Antony and Cleopatra linger in Egypt
In Egypt, Antony's affair with Cleopatra continues to shape the fate of both Rome and Egypt as the film ends on a note of lingering power balance. The ongoing liaison suggests further chaos rather than a stable, single-rule future.
A final thread of history rewritten
The tale closes with Horsa and Hengist quietly navigating history, their unlikely alliance leaving a chaotic, comedic aftertaste across Britain, Rome, and Egypt. The film hints that their meddling will echo through time in unpredictable ways.
Carry On Cleo Characters
Explore all characters from Carry On Cleo (1964). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Horsa (Jim Dale)
A wild-eyed Briton warrior who escapes his capture and threads his way through the Roman machinations. He is brave and impulsive, often stumbling into key moments that shift the plot. His quick thinking and loyalty to friends drive much of the film's action and farce.
Hengist Pod (Kenneth Connor)
A crafty caveman whose opportunism fuels the scheme to influence Caesar’s fate. He takes credit for saving Caesar and ends up as an uneasy ally, feeding the comedy with sly scheming and bluster. His presence is a constant reminder of unreliable alliances in the ancient world.
Julius Caesar (Kenneth Williams)
Rome’s ambitious leader who attracts both admiration and danger. His path is tangled with betrayals, plots, and assassination, all played for laughs. Caesar’s negotiations with Cleopatra and Antony set the stage for a chaotic power grab that ends with his fate at the Ides of March.
Mark Antony (Sid James)
A charismatic general swept up in romance and political maneuvering. He falls under Cleopatra’s spell while pursuing Rome’s supremacy, creating a combustible blend of desire and ambition. His schemes often collide with Caesar’s fate in a humorous tangle of loyalties.
Cleopatra (Amanda Barrie)
Egypt’s queen who uses charm and wit to steer the plot. She orchestrates alliances and outsmarts rivals, all while keeping the humor and glamour intact. Her seduction and political games push Antony toward a Roman-Egyptian alliance with comic consequences.
Sosages (Tom Clegg)
Cleopatra’s formidable bodyguard who challenges Caesar’s plans and battles Horsa. A skilled fighter caught in the crossfire of a farcical conspiracy, he embodies the blend of danger and slapstick that defines the film.
Bilius (David Davenport)
Caesar’s loyal bodyguard who becomes a casualty in the melee that sparks the central escape. His death triggers a cascade of retaliations and mistaken heroism that underline the film’s chaotic humor.
Agrippa (Francis de Wolff)
A political operative turned conspirator who aligns with Antony to strike at Caesar. His presence marks the high-stakes plots that unravel into a chaotic getaway for the principals. He is a satirical take on the ruthless strategist of ancient intrigues.
Marcus (Gertan Klauber)
Involved in the slave-trading plotline that entangles Horsa and Hengist, Marcus embodies the mercenary side of empire-building. His schemes add a layer of dark comedy to the story’s broader chaos.
Calpurnia (Joan Sims)
Caesar’s wife who adds a social and political layer to the unfolding drama. Her presence underscores the domestic side of imperial politics and the personal stakes behind the public power struggles.
Carry On Cleo Settings
Learn where and when Carry On Cleo (1964) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Time period
1st century BC
Set during the late Roman Republic, it places Caesar's campaigns, Antony's rise, and Cleopatra's intrigue in a single comedic frame. The era is marked by political plots, betrayals, and assassination, all rendered in a playful parody. The time period anchors the jokes in familiar milestones like Caesar's assassination.
Location
Britain, Rome, Egypt
The story moves between misty Britain during Caesar's invasion, the bustle of Rome, and Cleopatra's Egypt. It uses these classical locales to present a spoof of imperial politics and romance. The shifts from a village to power centers emphasize the film's satirical tour of the ancient world.
Carry On Cleo Themes
Discover the main themes in Carry On Cleo (1964). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
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Power and intrigue
The film lampoons political ambition and the endless scheming for control of Rome. Characters chase influence through plots, alliances, and betrayals, often with bumbling misfires. The spoof treats high-stakes politics as a running gag, while still highlighting the fragility of power.
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Romance and seduction
Love and seduction drive much of the plot, with Cleopatra and Antony entwined in a political-romantic alliance. The humor hinges on seductive tricks and misread motives, as loyalties shift with flirtations and faux loyalties. The relationship dynamics parody traditional epic romances.
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Conflict and escape
Battles, escapes, and double-crosses propel the narrative from Britain to the Nile. Characters switch sides, fights break out on galley decks, and daring escapes punctuate the comic adventure. The chaos underscores the farcical take on a world of war and intrigue.
Carry On Cleo Spoiler-Free Summary
Discover the spoiler-free summary of Carry On Cleo (1964). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.
In a world where the thunder of Roman war‑drums rolls across mist‑shrouded British hills, two unlikely heroes find their fate tangled with an empire on the march. Captured during a sudden raid, they are shipped across the sea to the glittering, oppressive streets of Rome—a city that feels both ancient and unbearably alive, humming with ambition, intrigue, and the clatter of legionnaires’ sandals on marble. The film frames this clash of cultures with a tone that balances gritty realism and a mischievous, almost farcical sense of adventure, inviting the audience to wonder how the wild north will survive the polished decadence of the capital.
Hengist Pod is a quick‑witted inventor whose curiosity is as boundless as the gears he fashions from scrap. He moves through the world with a blend of ingenuity and reluctant bravery, constantly tinkering and devising clever ways to turn adversity into opportunity. By his side is Horse, a loyal companion whose courage matches his friend’s intellect, providing both physical support and a steady, unspoken commentary on the chaos that surrounds them. Their partnership feels rooted in deep camaraderie, a bond that has survived battles and now faces the alien grandeur of Rome together.
A fateful misunderstanding thrusts Hengist into the elite ranks of the Roman Royal Guard, a place where the line between soldier and slave blurs. Charged with protecting the legendary Cleopatra, whose reputation for allure and political savvy precedes her, he must navigate a court filled with whispered plots, opulent banquets, and the ever‑present weight of imperial expectation. The juxtaposition of a humble Briton in a gilded Roman uniform creates a playful tension that fuels the film’s humor and suspense.
The story unfolds as a vivid tapestry of clashing worlds—British grit meeting Roman splendor—woven together by inventive schemes, loyalty, and the promise of unexpected destiny. Amidst the bustling markets, towering temples, and the looming presence of the empire’s power, the audience is invited to watch a clever outsider step into a role he never imagined, all while the ancient city holds its breath for what comes next.
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