
Cleopatra
Seen it?1934 | 100 min | History, Drama, Romance
Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (83% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it won an Oscar, though it had a lukewarm 6.1 out of 10 from audiences and soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for romantics and history buffs. If you loved Cleopatra or Ben-Hur, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Warm and romantic.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 40 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1934: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
The queen of Egypt barges the Nile and flirts with Mark Antony and Julius Caesar.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
83% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesBelow par
6.1 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 Oscar: Best Cinematography. Also nominated for 3 more Oscars.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$2 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 40K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
CleopatraSaturday SpecialA 1963 remake of this film: a historical drama, and a Saturday Special.
Ben-HurFriday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed historical drama.
The Fall of the Roman EmpireSaturday SpecialAnother historical drama that's easy to miss.
AgoraWeeknight WatchAnother historical drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Romeo and JulietSaturday SpecialAnother drama, and a Saturday Special.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Cecil B. DeMille
- Claudette ColbertCleopatra
- Warren WilliamJulius Caesar
- Henry WilcoxonMarc Antony
- Joseph SchildkrautKing Herod
- Ian KeithOctavian
- Gertrude MichaelCalpurnia
- C. Aubrey SmithEnobarbus
- Irving PichelApollodorus
- Arthur HohlBrutus
- Edwin MaxwellCasca