In honor of the iconic film’s 50th anniversary, the 243-minute premiere version of CLEOPATRA has been meticulously restored and presented on Blu-ray for a stunning high definition in-home viewing experience. Artfully packaged with a full-color book featuring rare images from the making of the film, the 2-disc Blu-ray edition is packed with dazzling bonus materials featuring never-before-seen exclusive content including Cleopatra’s lost footage, commentary from Chris Mankiewicz, Tom Mankiewicz, Martin Landau and Jack Brodsky, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and more.
Directed by Academy Award winner Joseph L. Mankiewicz, the historical epic shot on 70mm film was the highest grossing film of 1963, bringing in more than $24 million in its initial release. The film cost an unprecedented $42 million to make (equivalent to over $300 million today) and nearly bankrupted Twentieth Century Fox. In addition to elaborate sets and costumes, production delays and the relocation of principal filming from London to Rome added to the skyrocketing budget. A very public love affair between Taylor and Burton that blossomed during the three-year production meant that there was as much romance and intrigue off-screen as on-screen. The film later won four Academy Awards, and was nominated for five more, including Best Picture.
The opulence and grandeur of this epic spectacle has never been more glorious, as it comes to Blu-ray for the very first time. This 2-Disc 50th Anniversary Edition includes a collectible book that provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the making of this legendary film.
AVAILABLE NOW! Rated G
113 minutes
AMAZON US AMAZON CA
REVIEW:
This movie is epic!
Liz Taylor, as I like to remember her. Beautiful, melodramatic and full of spunk.
The ever handsome Richard Burton, also her real-life husband.
The chemistry they had in this film is clearly understood, even if you didn't know their history.
I remember my mom watching this movie when I was a kid, and I walked in the room and sat down. I watched for a few minutes, it was a scene where Liz and Burton were kissing, wait, they did that a lot, anyway, it stayed fresh in my mind but other than that I really didn't remember much. I was glad to be able to sit and watch this movie in its' entirety. People all know the story of Cleopatra, but Liz shows you how cunning she was for Egypt, and what lengths she would go through to keep it her Egypt.
The only thing I noticed that made me outright laugh at how movies were made "back in the day" is a few set errors or editing. For example, in one scene I noticed a red directors chair decorated with gold. My first reaction was, "there were no directors chairs in old Egypt". Yup, I went there... LOL... then a little while later Liz had this beautiful golden piece of jewelry in her hair with a red silk robe on. Burton had his armor on, and they were arguing while walking through the room. Next thing you know, the scene changes from one room to the next, and both of the cast members looked totally different. Liz had no gold anything in her hair and a dark robe on, and where did his armor go?! Man, I laughed....
But the story itself is what you watch it for, not the humorous mistakes of a classic movie. I mean, for the age it was made in, it was amazing!!
Definitely worth a watch, blips and all, if you haven't seen it.
3/5
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DISCLOSURE: Freda's Voice received no compensation. Freda's Voice received a copy for review. Opinions are 100% owned by this blog.

Great giveaway! Thanks for visiting my teaser yesterday!
ReplyDeleteRichard Burton
ReplyDeleteHi Freda, Could you please tell me how to pin this giveaway?
ReplyDeleteI've added a Pin It button to the bottom of the post. :-)
DeleteRichard Burton. She married him twice.
ReplyDeleteRichard Burton. Did you see the TV movie based on their romance?
ReplyDeleteRichard Burton!
ReplyDeleteLiz and Richard once sat in a tree...or twice! :)
ReplyDeleteRichard Burton is the answer.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Richard Burton!!
ReplyDelete