Despite its many flaws, this CLEOPATRA is a lot more watchable (and fun to watch) than the overly produced version in the '60s starring Elizabeth Taylor, Rex Harrison and Richard Burton.
Claudette Colbert has fun with the role of the siren who flirted mightily with her enemies, all the while conspiring against any power that might want to seize her beloved Egypt. Henry Wilcoxon cuts a fine figure of a man but his role is played almost expressionlessly, except for an occasional attempt at wild laughter. Warren William plays himself and rather well, but none of the three principals is entirely convincing given the lame dialog and situations they are forced into.
Not that this matters much, because the spotlight is not on the performers but on the spectacle, and here DeMille does not let anyone down. His opulent sets and costumes are on full display. Even with the obvious use of miniatures for the barge scenes and some quick cross-cutting for the action moments, his camera is forever catching the eye-filling spectacle with expert craftsmanship.
A more smoothly told tale than the later attempt with Elizabeth Taylor, it manages to hold the interest although there are definitely moments that drag. All told, worth watching for the spectacle.
Claudette Colbert has fun with the role of the siren who flirted mightily with her enemies, all the while conspiring against any power that might want to seize her beloved Egypt. Henry Wilcoxon cuts a fine figure of a man but his role is played almost expressionlessly, except for an occasional attempt at wild laughter. Warren William plays himself and rather well, but none of the three principals is entirely convincing given the lame dialog and situations they are forced into.
Not that this matters much, because the spotlight is not on the performers but on the spectacle, and here DeMille does not let anyone down. His opulent sets and costumes are on full display. Even with the obvious use of miniatures for the barge scenes and some quick cross-cutting for the action moments, his camera is forever catching the eye-filling spectacle with expert craftsmanship.
A more smoothly told tale than the later attempt with Elizabeth Taylor, it manages to hold the interest although there are definitely moments that drag. All told, worth watching for the spectacle.