Cleopatra (1999)

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 Amazon.com

Great Deal!!!

Great! no doubt about bying again sthg, via this metod. Arrived as Stipulated and condicions new, as said. thanx. and dont hesitate!
June 18, 2008

Very entertaining

This is probably the best mini-series I've ever seen. I have not seen all of them, but from the one's I've seen, this is by far the most enjoyable. The plot was coherant, the script spot on and the acting was wonderful. EVERYONE did a fantastic job. Leonor Varela was beautiful and convincing as Cleopatra. And I loved both Billy Zane and Timothy Dalton as the two leading men. It is dramatic and sensual and exciting. You really can't ask for more in a made for TV mini-series. The effects were pretty good for the time period and budget. Now, whether it was historically accurate, that is up to the viewer to decide how they see fit, but as a film, it is thoroughly watchable. March 13, 2008

cleoparta

very well done the story line writing very good.
the actors play very good parts
she cool and very sneaky when it come
to over throw the roman government,
when her powers our finely defeated ,
when she takes to much.
must see flim I recommended it highly! March 9, 2008

An excellent story about Cleopatra

An excellent made-for-tv movie about the reign of Cleopatra. Leonor Varela, Billy Zane and Timothy Dalton have excellent performances. The story was enthralling, as all stories about Cleopatra are, and well acted. The special effects were pretty good considering it is a made-for-tv movie. I loved this movie so much that I had to buy it. February 13, 2008

Lenora Valera is NO Cleopatra!

The entire time while watching this three hour movie one thought ran through my mind: Lenora Valera could not possibly have been the best actress for this part.

She portrayed the great Queen of Egypt as a child who wore her mother's royal robes. In those scenes where she was supposed to look fierce or intimidating, she ended up looking constipated. Caesar, the most powerful man in the world (now THAT portrayal I believed. Thanks, Tim Dalton!) fell in love with her?! Suuuure. A Queen whose only skills lie in the bedroom? You would think that the great Caesar would fall in love with a woman who knew political strategy and possessed maturity. Apparently not.

Positives? Timothy Dalton was a delight to see, and he bought his considerable acting skills to the role of Caesar. Again, Lenora Valera ruined this for me. I kept asking myself, "Why would this man fall in love with this woman?"

Billy Zane. Hmmm...if he meant to portray Marc Antony as a drunk living in Caesar's shadow...well done. In this regard, I do believe that he and Cleopatra were well suited.

The costumes. Loved the Egyptian costumes. The headdresses? Not so much.

I can only give this movie 2 stars. October 21, 2007

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