4 hours and 11 mean minutes. It looks good, the palette is very soft and pleasant to the eye even though Roman garb and decor is gaudy it's not obnoxiously taking over unlike every other Roman movie. The score is nice but a little tiresome and distracting from the dialogue. Preformed very well by a cast full of legends, Richard Burton hits all the notes, Taylor comes off a little hammy to me in this but is fine. She's ridiculously good in Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf and that's the first thing she's in that I watched. Direction is very meticulous. That being what it all is at times (I understand it was released '63) it needed to move. There's a reason it was cut to 3hr12min for theatrical release. This anniversary edition run time is trying.

Cleopatra (1963)There is a lot to like in this movie, most of all the sets and costumes. And the rich color filming of those sets and costumes.. It is a movie of pageantry and beauty. And stately exposition, where these backdrops and colors unfold.I repeat—this visual effect is extraordinary. The plot, however, as a mishmash of historical events from around this time. It is often stiff, the admittedly dramatic events being told with a same reverence for beauty over drama. And there was so much drama to be mined. It's a shame that somehow the pronouncements couldn't have been less staged and more naturally fluid. Director Joseph Mankiewitz is one of my favorites from the 1950s, giving tightly scripted soap opera drama to beautifully filmed events (as in "All About Eve"), but the larger scenes overwhelm any subtle intent. Maybe it is partly that he came into the filming party way through (in a famously troubled production).Of course, there is Cleoptra herself, played by Elizabeth Taylor with a modern (very 1963) verve. She's terrific. And when Richard Burton finally speaks (over an hour into the film) he brings his known strength to his scenes. Caesar is played with beautifully formal disdain and cleverness by Rex Harrison (Rex meaning king, appropriately). This basic threesome makes the movie.Above and beyond is the sets and costumes, which is really what the public seemed to eat up in the 1960s. The vivid sharpness of 70mm film, and the saturation of true Technicolor, were far beyond the best color television of the time (or ours, technically speaking). My blu-ray copy on a decent monitor made for mouthwatering visuals. I watched even if I was a bit impatient for things to unfold more meaningfully. The very long pageantry 2/3 the way through—I mean a full half hour of large crowds and ceremonial whatnot—is a sign of why the movie falters beyond the mise-en-scene.And why it was so expensive to make. I looked up the history of the time, and found that it was truly amazing stuff, which of course Shakespeare and others knew, too. Cleopatra is a stunning leader, a woman in an age of male leaders. (She was Greek, in Egypt, at the end of centuries of Greek power there.) Antony and Ceaser are of course important, too, in this pivotal time (40 or so years BC), but it is the title character, through Liz Taylor, who rises out of the crowded masses.See it expecting something a bit dry and dull, even if extremely well made.

(Flash Review)I watched the 4hr version. There is a 2hr cut as well as a long lost 5.5hr version. Watch Cleopatra, the ruler of Egypt, use her femininity to attract and try to influence such famous rulers as Caesar and Mark Antony as she tries to increase Egypt's world standing and her own title. Taylor and the male leads do a convincing job with dialog that is engaging, informative and moves the meaty story along at a decent clip to help mask its immense length. The various main and sub plots are solid and easy to follow even with a slew of characters. The sets steal the show and they are huge, realistic and bold. There is humor, drama and sorrow and is a memorable film for the ages.

CLEOPATRA is an epic historical drama as a kind of group of non-complementary film segments, which are building an attractive epic story. The plot follows the eighteen tumultuous years that led to the founding of the Roman Empire. Cleopatra seduces Julius Caesar in order to forge an alliance with Rome so that she may hold on to her Egyptian empire. However, her plans crumble when Caesar is stabbed to death in the Roman Senate. Cleopatra is left without an ally, and Egypt is up for grabs. However, she seduces the Roman general Mark Antony in order to make him over into her new protector, but, a powerful general becomes dissolute drunk under her influence. He is defeated in a decisive battle, then the fate of Egypt, Cleopatra and his life come into danger...Film runs a few minutes more than four hours, excluding the intermission. It is difficult to follow, especially if there is no cohesion between the constant conflicts, political intrigue and erotic romance. Of course, some will say that this is an adventurous tragedy of historical dimensions. I think, this film constantly loses its point, realism, motives and passions and becomes a vulgar soap opera of epic proportions.The costumes are superbly designed. The scenery is very poor. Soundtrack is impermanent, despite epic overtones. Characters are not developed to the end, despite the duration of this film. Mr. Mankiewicz is focused on a visual excitement to the detriment of the direction and melodrama. Well, Cleopatra's entrance into Rome is truly spectacular, but an epilogue is too theatrical.Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra is one of the most erotic phenomena in the history of cinema. However, I think that it was not the ultimate goal. She is a strong and capable woman, who is poisoned by her own ambition to rule the world or maybe just a few powerful men. The arrogance and pride in her character are truly impressive. However, her performance is nothing special.Rex Harrison as Julius Caesar is a wise and generous ruler, who fell in love with a clever woman. He is torn between his duty, ambitions and desires. When the ruler loses his head .... we all know what's coming .... Mr. Harrison has offered a good performance.Richard Burton as Mark Antony is an exciting, emotional and arrogant general or lover. His character, in addition to a lack of self-confidence, corresponds to the character of Cleopatra. However, he can not follow her ambitions.This is a sumptuous, attractive and, unfortunately, boring experience.