Cleopatra 1934
by Paulette Reynolds
June 30, 2014
Directed by Cecil B. DeMille
Screenplay: Waldemar Young, Vincent Lawrence, Bartlett Cormack
Starring Claudette Colbert, Warren William, Henry Wilcoxon
Cinematography: Victor Milner
Editor: Anne Bauchens
Cecil B. DeMille was known as a legendary director and producer, one whose films were the very essence of what is now considered "blockbuster". Big stars, big script, and a cast of thousands were the order of the day for DeMille, and woe be to anyone who stood in the way of his vision. Such films as The Ten Commandments, The Squaw Man, Unconquered, The King of Kings (silent version), Samson and Delilah, and The Greatest Show on Earth are DeMille classics that stand up to the passage of time.
However, to truly enjoy the artistry that *is* DeMille, one only has to look as far as his 1934 epic, Cleopatra, starring Claudette Colbert, Henry Wilcoxon, and Warren William. For anyone who thinks that the Taylor-Burton version is the definitive stamp on the costume drama - well, you'd better view DeMille's masterpiece first!
Considerably shorter than the aforementioned Mankiewicz version (263 minutes, director's cut), and coming in at just 100 minutes, DeMille's Cleopatra tightly focuses on her two steamy relationships with Caesar and Marc Antony, an unforgettable seduction scene, and a lively battle sequence. Cinematographer Victor Milner, who worked on It's A Wonderful Life brings his magic touch to all the key scenes.
The casting of Claudette Colbert seems out-of-place, until the seduction scene with Henry Wilcoxon's Marc Antony. She handles some decidedly modern lines, which is perhaps the film's weakest link. The dialogue reflects the typical 1930s snappy cynicism that was fashionable for the period, but seems oddly out of place in this historical piece.
Cleopatra: "Together we could conquer the world."
Julius Caesar: "Nice of you to include me."
Colbert's costumes by Travis Banton - wondrous in black and white - because every queen deserves a fashion slideshow!
* This article was originally printed in Outside Hollywoodland, July 2002.
by Paulette Reynolds
June 30, 2014
Directed by Cecil B. DeMille
Screenplay: Waldemar Young, Vincent Lawrence, Bartlett Cormack
Starring Claudette Colbert, Warren William, Henry Wilcoxon
Cinematography: Victor Milner
Editor: Anne Bauchens
Cecil B. DeMille was known as a legendary director and producer, one whose films were the very essence of what is now considered "blockbuster". Big stars, big script, and a cast of thousands were the order of the day for DeMille, and woe be to anyone who stood in the way of his vision. Such films as The Ten Commandments, The Squaw Man, Unconquered, The King of Kings (silent version), Samson and Delilah, and The Greatest Show on Earth are DeMille classics that stand up to the passage of time.
However, to truly enjoy the artistry that *is* DeMille, one only has to look as far as his 1934 epic, Cleopatra, starring Claudette Colbert, Henry Wilcoxon, and Warren William. For anyone who thinks that the Taylor-Burton version is the definitive stamp on the costume drama - well, you'd better view DeMille's masterpiece first!
Considerably shorter than the aforementioned Mankiewicz version (263 minutes, director's cut), and coming in at just 100 minutes, DeMille's Cleopatra tightly focuses on her two steamy relationships with Caesar and Marc Antony, an unforgettable seduction scene, and a lively battle sequence. Cinematographer Victor Milner, who worked on It's A Wonderful Life brings his magic touch to all the key scenes.
The casting of Claudette Colbert seems out-of-place, until the seduction scene with Henry Wilcoxon's Marc Antony. She handles some decidedly modern lines, which is perhaps the film's weakest link. The dialogue reflects the typical 1930s snappy cynicism that was fashionable for the period, but seems oddly out of place in this historical piece.
Cleopatra: "Together we could conquer the world."
Julius Caesar: "Nice of you to include me."
Colbert's costumes by Travis Banton - wondrous in black and white - because every queen deserves a fashion slideshow!
* This article was originally printed in Outside Hollywoodland, July 2002.
COPYRIGHT 2012/2016. Paulette Reynolds. All CineMata Movie Madness blog articles, reviews, faux interviews, commentary, and the Cine Mata character are under the sole ownership of Paulette Reynolds. All intellectual and creative rights reserved.
