Cleopatra (1963)

“The corridors are dark, gentlemen, but you mustn’t me afraid.  I am with you.” – Cleopatra (“Cleopatra” – 1963)

Cleopatra (Elizabeth Taylor) falls for two men, Julius Caesar (Rex Harrison) and Marc Antony (Richard Burton) in this 1963 epic.  Will she be able to find love and keep Egypt intact or will her empire fall with a tragic ending?  While you’re watching “Cleopatra”, here are a few things to look for.

Raise Your Hand!

When Cleopatra is talking to Sosigenes (Hume Cronyn) about Caesar’s epileptic condition, a front shot of the two shows Sosigenes’ left arm folded against him while he writes with his right hand (he’s holding a white pen).  It then cuts to a right side shot of Sosigenes when Cleopatra starts to speak and his left arm is elevated in front of him, near his chin.  We then see him clasp his hands together.

It’s A Cover-Up!

During the scene when Cleopatra is talking to Sosigenes, there is also a stand on the table to the left of the screen (near Sosigenes’ right arm).  The stand is covered with a white cloth during the scene.  But when the guard comes to tell Cleopatra about the fire, the far shot show the stand is still there but the cloth is gone!

A King And His Scepter

Mark Antony tells Caesar that the Senate is prepared to make him King but with certain stipulations, Caesar sits down at his desk.  There is a golden scepter on the desk, near his right arm.  Watch closely!  It switches positions between shots.  Not only does it move closer to the box on the desk between shots, but, in the back shots of Caesar, the scepter is not there.  It’s on the opposite side, on his left near the wooden box.

It’s Curtains For Everyone!

Antony is going to meet Cleopatra.  He is riding in a caravan/carriage being carried through the streets with red drapes surrounding it.  In the first shot of Antony acknowledging the cheering crowd, the drapes on the opposite side of him, to his right are closed.  But in the very next shot, they’re open!

Look for this movie and more at: