"Anthony and Cleopatra" thoughts about a movie
By Faye
@FayeHazel (40230)
United States
April 18, 2022 4:02pm CST
Hi friends, I'm talking about 1963's classic "Anthony and Cleopatra" starring none other than Liz Taylor. I guess it holds the record for most costume changes in a movie and - since it's runtime is something like 4 hours and 11 minutes - I guess there is plenty of time for costume changes.
While I couldn't quickly find the information it has the stunning, awesome, bright color true of processes like Technicolor - that you see in some older movies that I wish was being used today.
So, with a runtime of over 4 hours I felt there was a lot of fluff, and I'm no history buff - so I don't know how close to the actual story they stayed , but there's a scene where Marc Anthony jumps off a boat he's battling on to go be with Cleopatra. That seemed a little far fetched.
Also seemed a little overplayed - all Cleopatra had to do was bat her eyelashes and Caeser and Anthony dropped everything for her. Yeah, well... seems unbelievable, but on the other hand seems like that is all attractive women need to do and men will be willing to make total and complete fools of themselves. Well, a lot of men, not all of you -- anyway. In reality, at least some of the surviving busts from that time show a Cleopatra who, well, let's just say isn't any Liz Taylor.
In all interesting if not really stretched out, lovely costumes and glorious color makes me feel like I know a little more about that part of history and mom and I had fun watching it - she got to see it when it was in the theaters and had an actual intermission
Photo found online, the original movie poster
5 people like this
7 responses
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
22 Apr 22
Ah yes. Costumes are sets were so pretty.
I think you are really pretty :-)
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@Ronrybs (21504)
• London, England
19 Apr 22
I don't mind this movie, but sometimes I nod off in the middle. A bit too long for what is going on. Being a bit of snob, I love Shakespeare's A&C and seeing it in the theatre and one highlight was watching Patrick Stewart perform.
Incidentally, The Great Courses have a series of lectures called A Historian goes to the Movies: Ancient Rome and A&C is one of many discussed, along with I Claudius, another favourite
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@Ronrybs (21504)
• London, England
24 Apr 22
@FayeHazel I also saw Stewart in 'Bingo', a play about the latter years of Shakespeare. There are some interesting lectures on the Great Courses. I have enjoying Gravity and cosmology as well as historical
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@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
22 Apr 22
I agree. Kind of lags. Wow I would like to see the Patrick Stewart version. "A Historian goes to the Movies" is a spectacular idea for lectures
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@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
25 Apr 22
@Ronrybs I imagine "Bingo" could be interesting. I know I see Al Pacino's "Looking for Richard" (about Richard III) ages back. Cosmology is fascinating. I struggle to grasp the concepts but I remember it as being interesting
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@LeaPea2417 (40020)
• Toccoa, Georgia
18 Apr 22
Even though that movie has been around for a long time, I have only seen parts of it. I have not seen the full movie.
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@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
22 Apr 22
It was pretty good, though I found it lagging in areas and question how accurate it is. Costumes are lovely
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@db20747 (43419)
• Washington, District Of Columbia
19 Apr 22
I watched this before. And Liz Taylor of course was stunning. But the acting by her and others needed a little more punch. A little more power and intrigue. As magnificent as it was I kind of knew what to expect. Not powerful like the 10 commandments for all the money that was spent. And it took them years to recover all the money they spent. Don't know if I could stand a movie for more than 2 hours in this case although it was certainly intriguing.
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@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
22 Apr 22
I tend to agree. The movie lags and needed... something.... shorter run time probably 
Over 2 hours gets a little tough. Yes, agree. "10 Commandments" there's a movie. Even though it's long it's captivating the whole time. And that beautiful color.
Over 2 hours gets a little tough. Yes, agree. "10 Commandments" there's a movie. Even though it's long it's captivating the whole time. And that beautiful color.1 person likes this
@ihasaquestion (8273)
•
22 Apr 22
Movies back then were very colorful, to say the least. Yes, men have been known to fight wars over women issues.
And then now, we have the modern times where sadly, we tend to see men going against women or vice versa. I'm talking about in the context of abuses and etc.
I love Elizabeth Taylor's performance. She was a true icon of her era.
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@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
22 Apr 22
Oh yes, the lovely color. I wish movies were made like that now.
Oh dear. A shame to think of the soldier's and their families all because the leader was in love. I agree though, it is an odd thought. At one time wars were waged over love and now abuse is all too common .
Oh yes, Elizabeth Taylor - what a talent and beautiful woman too
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@ihasaquestion (8273)
•
23 Apr 22
@FayeHazel Yep, there seemed to be nothing in between.
She was an icon for sure.
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@58lordstreet (1668)
•
18 Apr 22
I do wish they would turn a few lights on in the newer films, sometimes you can hardly see a thing for most of the movie....they seem a bit obsessed with saving on bulbs lol
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@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
22 Apr 22
Ha - yes I agree with the thing about lighting. Why was the color in particular so glorious then and nowadays movies seem too dark, almost grayscale?
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@58lordstreet (1668)
•
23 Apr 22
@FayeHazel when they make films about the 50s and 60s they are usually bright , as if they dont have colour any more lol
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@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
25 Apr 22
@58lordstreet Good point. Movies set in the 50s (even if they're made currently) are also bright. So it must be a conscious choice....not something doing with the current movie making equipment
@58lordstreet (1668)
•
18 Apr 22
The trouble is when they make a film about something in your lifetime you realise how unrealistic movies are about history , I used to think I was learning things from films as well but really you arent
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