Sit back, put your feet up and luxuriate in a quality of film-making that you simply don't see today!. Cleopatra, who reigned as queen of Egypt during the 1st century B.C., is one of the most famous female rulers in history. When Caesar entered Egypt, Ptolemy gifted him. If it fails, it fails because of our expectations. Cleopatra and Caesar (French: Cléopâtre et César), also known as Cleopatra Before Caesar, is an oil on canvas painting by the French Academic artist Jean-Léon Gérôme, completed in 1866.The work was originally commissioned by the French courtesan La Païva, but she was unhappy with the finished painting and returned it to Gérôme. Julius Caesar and Cleopatra Hoping to prevent Caesar from invading Egypt, the child pharaoh Ptolemy VIII had Pompey killed on September 28, 48 B.C. Cleopatra may not be a masterpiece but it is a superbly crafted and beautiful film. The supporting cast and especially Roddy McDowall are equally excellent. The big three, Taylor, Burton and Harrison are extremely good and in the case of Harrison, who has many of the best lines, brilliant. But compared with Gladiator or similar modern epics, Cleopatra is a brilliant film with an intelligent script, stunning design, masterly and beautiful cinematography in 70mm (which sure beats 35mm and does justice to the intricate sets and design), an evocative and effective musical score and superb costumes and makeup. Whether the missing two hours will reclaim this part of the film is yet to be seen. And certainly the second half is somehow not right. Cleopatra was of Macedonian descent and not a native Egyptian. But Cleopatra grows in stature with time.

In 1963 it seemed old fashioned compared to the excitement of European cinema and what the critics perceived as new (many of their favourite films of that era now just seem dated and pretentious). A grand example of the final flowering of Hollywood.

At this distance it is possible to see the film for what it is. In 47 bce Caesar defeated Ptolemy XIII’s forces, and Ptolemy died. But what really matters nearly 40 years on is the film itself. Cleopatra went for help to Julius Caesar, a powerful Roman ruler who was then in Egypt. A massively troubled production combined with the extraordinary love affair between Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton made for plenty of hype. The lover of Julius Caesar and Marc Antony, who found herself on the losing end of a war, Cleopatra killed herself in 30 B.C., after being captured by Roman emperor Octavian.

Julius caesar and cleopatra pictures