Originally a TV miniseries, this lavish production is based on Margaret George's book MEMOIRS OF CLEOPATRA. Gorgeous Leonor Valera stars as the seventeen year-old Queen of the Nile who ruled as the last Pharoh of Egypt for twenty-two years and had a love affair with Julius Caesar which results in a deadly conflict between Rome and Egypt. Directed by Franc Roddam (QUADROPHENIA.)
(12 votes)
2.
The chemistry between Leonor Varela, who stars as the bewitching queen Cleopatra, and Billy Zane, as the steadfast Marc Antony, is undeniable. Their love scene is one of the steamiest to hit network television. However, once you move beyond this couple's sexual energy, the movie tends to droop, leaning toward the lackluster.
The tale of Cleopatra has hit the screen in many guises, but none have succeeded as well as Cecil B. DeMille's 1934 film. Here, director Franc Roddam tries once again to tell the story of the exotic queen who won the hearts of both Julius Caesar (Timothy Dalton) and Antony, while reigning over a troubled country. But how do you tell such an epic in a mere 140 minutes? Obviously, much is left out, making this film more worthwhile as a pleasant diversion than a real history lesson. The sets are quite remarkable for a TV movie, but unfortunately, the acting and dialogue leave something to be desired. Cleopatra comes across as a bratty child rather than an intelligent and manipulative seductress. Surely this tremendous queen had more going on in her life than her romances with Romans, but you wouldn't know it from this movie. Zane is the best part of the film, although his constant do-good boyishness can grate. Dalton is adequate as Caesar, although he seems to have a hard time taking the role seriously. Yet, for all its flaws, the action moves swiftly and while the battle scenes may leave you cringing with embarrassment for the director, the rest of this carefully staged piece is beautiful to look at. If you really want to know about the Queen of the Nile, though, you may be better off with A&E's Biography: Cleopatra or the Intimate Portrait: Cleopatra. --Jenny Brown
(10 votes)
3.
Passion
Power
History
For over two-thousand years, the legend of the beautiful Queen of the Nile has stirred the imagination. Ascending to the throne at a mere seventeen years of age, Cleopatra (Leonor Varela) ruled as Egypt's last Pharaoh for twenty-two years. Easily winning the heart of Roman Emperor Julius Caesar (Timothy Dalton), they embark on a two-month voyage down the Nile and quickly become devoted to each other. She bears him a child whom they call Caesarion.
Keeping a close eye on the relationship, the Roman Senators conspire to assassinate Caesar. His death devastates Cleopatra. In her grief, she turns to Marc Antony (Billy Zane), a Roman she can trust. Their alliance angers Rome even more and war is declared on Egypt. Cleopatra and Marc Antony's fate becomes sealed in each other's arms as the Roman army closes in. Beautifully directed and stunningly photographed, CLEOPATRA reigns as one of the greatest love stories in history.
(10 votes)
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