The story of Cleopatra, a remarkable ruler often compared to Elizabeth Taylor who portrayed her in the 1963 film “Cleopatra,” has lasted for more than two millennia. Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz and featuring Elizabeth Taylor, Rex Harrison, and Richard Burton, the movie recounts the decline of Ancient Egypt’s Ptolemaic dynasty with Cleopatra’s own downfall. Renowned for her intelligence and adept governance, Cleopatra served as Egypt’s final extraordinary pharaoh.
Throughout Cleopatra’s twenty-two-year reign, she gained the support of Julius Caesar and later Mark Antony. Recognizing the need to form an alliance with Rome, Cleopatra aimed to safeguard her dynasty from the advancing Roman empire. Although Mankiewicz’s film generally maintains historical accuracy, there are occasional alterations or enhancements of certain events for entertainment value. Nevertheless, the movie predominantly portrays government structure, politics, historical events, and cross-cultural exchanges in accordance with established historical understanding.
Despite some minor historical inaccuracies, the movie acknowledges its goal of presenting an exceptional portrayal of Cleopatra, one of history’s most captivating and enduring figures. Overall, the 1963 film remains faithful to the important events in Cleopatra’s life, with any embellishments serving to enhance audience enjoyment without compromising historical accuracy. The film effectively showcases the structure and politics of the Roman government, particularly highlighting the conflict between two Roman leaders: Julius Caesar and Pompey.
Pompey escapes to Alexandria and is subsequently assassinated by Cleopatra’s brother, Ptolemy. The Roman Senate, located in Rome, possesses substantial power and authority in making decisions. Following Caesar’s triumphs, the Senate grants him the title of Dictator of Rome for Life. The film conveys the discomfort felt by the Senate towards Caesar’s absolute power. This is evident in their conversation about Caesar’s newborn with Cleopatra as they assert that there is no “throne” in Rome that the child can inherit.
Nigel Rodgers asserts that Caesar took permanent control of the Roman Empire in early 44 BC, becoming a dictator for life, similar to a king. Similarly, Schiff points out that Caesar was declared the dictator of the Roman Empire, granting him absolute power. Another factor contributing to the political alliance between Rome and Egypt was Rome’s reliance on Egypt’s wealth, evident in the movie. Rome required Egypt’s vast resources to support its armies and facilitate the expansion into new territories.
In the movie, Cleopatra negotiates with Julius Caesar to become the sole Queen of Egypt and promises to provide him with all the necessary grain and gold. The film demonstrates that their shared interests and attraction result in a political alliance between Caesar and Cleopatra. Cleopatra recognizes an opportunity to solidify this alliance and secure her position by giving birth to Caesar’s son, whom she names Caesarion. Likewise, Highet’s article on Cleopatra as an iconic figure reveals that she had a son to solidify their partnership.
Although it is not certain whether Caesar publicly acknowledged his son, the movie portrays that he did. Additionally, the director stays true to accepted historical events and accurately portrays them in the film. One such event is the first meeting of Julius Caesar and Cleopatra, where she is smuggled into the palace inside a carpet. Cleopatra and her younger brother were supposed to rule together, but he banished her from the kingdom.
The accuracy of this event is supported by numerous historians who have discussed it in their works. Rodgers, for instance, mentions that Cleopatra was brought to Caesar’s quarters wrapped in a carpet. Similarly, Highet describes how Cleopatra disguised herself in a “bed-linen sack” to approach Caesar and ask for his assistance in overthrowing her brother. Additionally, the movie portrays the assassination of Pompey, a Roman General and Caesar’s adversary, ordered by Ptolemy XIII in an effort to win Caesar’s favor.
However, this does not please Caesar, giving him a reason to grant Cleopatra’s request of removing Ptolemy XIII from power and making her the sole ruler of Egypt. Both Millmore and Schiff mention Ptolemy XIII’s involvement in Pompey’s death. The movie also portrays Cleopatra’s visit to Rome with great spectacle. She accompanied Julius Caesar to Rome and brought their son Caesarion with her. While Cleopatra’s visit to Rome is documented in historical sources, the movie may have exaggerated her dramatic entrance into the city.
According to Schiff’s book, “Cleopatra,” representatives of Caesar met Cleopatra outside the city walls and escorted her to Caesar’s country estate. The movie accurately portrays another event, the Battle of Actium, where Mark Antony and Cleopatra were defeated. Highet confirms that following their defeat, they fled to Alexandria. Millmore additionally suggests that Antony’s failure could be attributed to his reckless and drunken behavior. The director chose to depict Mark Antony as a drunk during the latter part of the movie.
It is uncertain if Mark Antony’s frequent consumption of wine can be proven. This claim may have been spread by the Romans due to his perceived submission to Cleopatra. Notably, there is a statue in Vienna depicting Mark Antony as a hedonistic drunkard. Among the most renowned moments in history is Julius Caesar’s assassination, carried out by senators who feared his desire for monarchy. Many historical documents recount this event, and the movie accurately portrays the circumstances, motives, and methods behind his murder.
The film depicts Caesar’s assassination on the ides of March (March 15th), being stabbed by a group of Senators, including his trusted friends Brutus and Cassius. Both Rodgers and Schiff confirm this event, describing his death at the hands of a faction of Senators. Cleopatra’s death is one of the most legendary moments portrayed. In Mankiewicz’s film, he includes the widely assumed version of her death where she chooses suicide by allowing an asp to bite her, laying her out in royal attire. Upon Octavian and his men discovering her, she is already dead. They inquire of her servant, “Was this well done by your lady?”
He says that Cleopatra’s servant is doing “Extremely well.” This scene in the film appears to align with Plutarch’s account of the “Life of Antony,” where he describes how Cleopatra used her own seal to send a letter informing Octavian of her death. Millmore also mentions that Cleopatra died from an asp bite. Additionally, the movie successfully portrays the interaction between diverse cultures, highlighting Cleopatra’s Greek roots instead of her Egyptian heritage.
Cleopatra, a descendant of the Ptolemy dynasty, was represented in art as if she were Egyptian to avoid offending her Egyptian subjects. Nonetheless, Cleopatra differed from her ancestors by actively learning the Egyptian language. The movie demonstrates Cleopatra’s intelligence by highlighting how she employed her charisma to gain Julius Caesar’s backing for claiming the Egyptian throne and subsequently persuaded Mark Antony to marry her and transfer Roman territories to Egypt.
Rodgers states that Octavian and his supporters utilized this action to manipulate the Roman populace, convincing them of Mark Antony’s treachery. Millmore also recognizes Antony’s obsession with Cleopatra, noting that Antony declared Caesarion as Caesar’s offspring, undermining Octavian’s status as Caesar’s adopted successor. In retaliation, Octavian, portrayed in the film, seizes Antony’s will from its storage location in the temple and publicly discloses that his Roman assets were intended to be given to Cleopatra after his demise.
This enraged the Roman senators to the point where they declared war on Cleopatra. However, there exists an alternate and more accurate account of Cleopatra’s life which claims that she provided Caesar with the son he had always longed for, and the movie depicted how this deepened their connection. Nonetheless, there were certain inaccuracies in the film, such as depicting Julius Caesar’s assassination occurring within the Senate building instead of outside it as it actually happened. Nevertheless, following the release of the memorable 1963 film, Cleopatra has become synonymous with Elizabeth Taylor’s beauty.
Many historians and writers claim that Cleopatra’s actual appearance is difficult to determine. Highlet suggests that her beauty was questionable based on the coins that were minted during her reign. The coins depicted Cleopatra with a hawk-like nose. Towards the end of her rule, the coins portrayed her with a “bony, lined, forceful face, like a noble bird of prey.” Similarly, the Greek philosopher Plutarch (46 -120 AD) also described Cleopatra’s beauty as unremarkable in his writings.
Despite not having exceptional physical beauty, Cleopatra’s charm and persuasive manner captivated those who interacted with her. Her presence and engaging discourse had a stimulating effect on others, complemented by her sweet-toned voice. Additionally, she possessed the remarkable ability to fluently speak multiple languages. Joseph L. Mankewicz’s 1963 film “Cleopatra” aimed to convey the irresistible allure of the legendary Queen of the Nile while remaining faithful to accepted historical accounts of her life and death, which were already filled with ample drama. In some instances, minor changes were made to enhance entertainment value for the audience.
Although the movie depicts Cleopatra’s grand entrance in Rome during her visit, it is unlikely to have occurred. Instead, she probably went directly to Caesar’s country estate. Additionally, the film fails to mention Cleopatra’s children with Mark Antony. This omission may be due to considering it insignificant for the plot. Ultimately, the movie primarily highlights Cleopatra’s interactions with two prominent leaders of Rome: Julius Caesar and Mark Antony.
This 1963 film by Joseph L. Mankewicz portrays the splendor of Egypt and Rome during Caesar’s era, as well as Antony’s pursuit of power with Cleopatra’s assistance to safeguard Egypt’s autonomy amidst Roman expansion. The movie reignited contemporary audience fascination with Cleopatra’s narrative, highlighting how historical films and other entertainment mediums that authentically depict past events can effectively educate future generations about pivotal moments in history.
