Much tighter than the 1963 spectacle, the 1934 version also has high production values and elaborate sets. While the campy performances make the film closer to 'Melrose Place' than a history lesson, they are also a guilty pleasure. Cecil B. DeMille both directed and produced, and fans of 'The Ten Commandments' will appreciate the costumes, cinematography and choreography. Scenes of a ship battle between the Romans and Egyptians are particularly impressive, as is a production number featuring bathing beauties bearing clams.
"Cleopatra" uses well-known historical facts to form the story's outline, but the contents are pure Hollywood fantasy. Cleopatra (Claudette Colbert), who is of Greek ancestry, is the Queen of Egypt in first century B.C. Powerful Rome threatens her kingdom, and to preserve it she takes first Julius Caesar (Warren William), then Marc Antony (Henry Wilcoxon) as lovers. But Octavius (Ian Keith) is dismissive of her charms, and vows to take Egypt as Rome's prize possession.
Colbert as the flirtatious, scheming, pampered Cleopatra puts more warmth into the role than Elizabeth Taylor was capable of. While not a household name today, she was one of the most famous and successful actresses of the 1930s and 1940s, usually playing plucky heroines in romantic comedies. 1934 was a great year for Colbert, as she would win the Best Actress Oscar for "It Happened One Night".
Caesar and especially Antony are cast as stupid, grasping egotists, giving their characters welcome if unintentional comic aspects. The cinematic tendency to depict Roman rulers as selfish and corrupt is present as well.
"Cleopatra" was nominated for Best Picture, but settled for Best Cinematography (Victor Milner). It was also nominated for Best Assistant Director (Cullen Tate), Best Editing (Anne Bauchens) and Best Sound (Franklin Hansen). Despite the presence of DeMille, the 1934 version of "Cleopatra" cost one-fiftieth of its 1963 successor, and was a great box office success. (73/100)
Grandiose epic and vintage Hollywood. Claudette Colbert stars as the captivating and powerful Queen of Egypt in this classic Hollywood film. When Juli...More at Family Video
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