Travis Simpkins: Richard Burton

Saturday, January 25, 2020

Cleopatra (1963): Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and Rex Harrison

Cleopatra. 1963. Elizabeth Taylor

Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Cleopatra (1963) was the most expensive film ever made at that point, costing $44 Million ($340 Million in 2015) and nearly bankrupted 20th Century Fox due to production overruns, setbacks and discords. The epic 4-hour film (supposedly based on the historical writings of Plutarch, Suetonius and Appian) tells the sweeping story of the seductive queen of Egypt, Cleopatra, and her love affairs and political relations with Roman officials Julius Caesar and Mark Antony in the 1st Century B.C. Historical fidelity is set aside for 1960's grand spectacle and melodrama. The sets, particularly those of Alexandria and Rome, are astounding in scope and scale… and although probably not very archaeologically authentic, give a proper sense of ancient architecture. Elizabeth Taylor is beautiful, delivering one of her most famous performances, as Cleopatra VII Philopator. Rex Harrison is great as Gaius Julius Caesar. Richard Burton is powerful as Marcus Antonius (Marc Antony). The supporting cast is great as well, including Roddy McDowall, Martin Landau, Hume Cronyn and George Cole.

Rex Harrison: Cleopatra

Cleopatra. 1963. Elizabeth Taylor

Rex Harrison: Cleopatra

Cleopatra. 1963. Elizabeth Taylor

Saturday, July 30, 2016

The Robe (1953): Ancient Rome and the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ

Directed by Henry Koster, based on the novel by Lloyd C. Douglas, The Robe (1953) was the first film to be made in the revolutionary CinemaScope format. The story is mostly set in the Roman province of Judea during the 1st Century, where Roman tribune Marcellus Gallio is ordered to crucify Jesus of Nazareth but is afterwards tormented by his guilty conscience and a newfound faith. The passion of Jesus Christ is only dealt with briefly, with much of the focus being placed on viewpoints in hindsight. The dramatic story plays out well against the staged backdrop. Historical accuracy is put aside for the sake of grand entertainment. The cast does a wonderful job, including Richard Burton, Jean Simmons, Victor Mature and Michael Rennie.