Review #441: 'Cleopatra' (1934)

The first of the sound-era re-telling of the story of Cleopatra (there were at least four made in the silent-era), this lavish pre-code adaptation brings a more contemporised manner, particularly with the seductive nature of the title character. A tendency in the 1930's was to depict women as strong, self-obsessed gold diggers - perhaps a paranoid reaction to the suffrage movement. Like Barbara Stanwyks' Lily Powers in Baby Face (1933 - Review #379), she uses here sexuality to climb the ladders of power. Despite this very depression times character trait, this historical epic is still firmly riveted in the times it is set.

After the death of Julius Caesar (Warren William), Cleopatra (played here with direct and provocative skill by an incredibly sexy Claudette Colbert), turns her attentions upon new Roman leader, Marc Anthony (Henry Wilcoxon). Here she seduces him, in the selfish means of power, rule, and conquest (that's not sexual conquest, but the acquisition of land). As the politics of war and the people of Rome become increasingly frustrated with their rulers, Cleopatra is forced to make decisions on the future of their relationship - one that progressively becomes a passionate one.

This is Cecil B. DeMille at his most extravagant and lavish. The sets and costumes scream class, sophistication, and expense. At a time of deep depression, the poor majority of the country, would flock to see these ever-more-expensive productions as escapism, and DeMille would always deliver. Whilst not as "epic" as many other productions, this is the finest film adaptation of the story (in my opinion) - certainly superior to the studio-bankrupting Joseph L. Mankiewicz 1963 version, where Elizabeth Taylor's stupidly self-obsessed demands lead to it being one of the worst catastrophes in Hollywood history. Of course, like the Shakespearean tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, Anthony and Cleopatra, would famously take their own lives - she poisoning herself with a snake bite.


Directed by: Cecil B. DeMille
Starring: Claudette Colbert, Warren William, Henry Wilcoxon, Joseph Schildkraut
Country: USA

Rating: ****

Marc Ivamy