Antony and Cleopatra

Unlike some particularly grating Shakespeare adaptations of recent years, Charlton Heston's overlooked "Antony & Cleopatra" manages to work as cinema and as an adaptation of a work by the world's most famous playwright. The production values-- giant panoramas, expensive battle sequences, glorious period costumes-- are staggering, and Heston comports himself quite well in the triple role of screenwriter/director/actor. Not that I intend to use all my Shakespeare film reviews to bash Kenneth Branagh, but compared to Heston, he's awful, unpalatable in all three capacities. He is that anyway, but even Heston's just-decent acting is well balanced by his expert direction of others. The exception to that is Hildegard Neil, an awful Cleopatra. She has zero dignity in the role, and manages to bear a creepy resemblance to "Rock 'n' Roll High School"'s Principal Togar every now and then. John Castle's performance as Caesar is obviously the best in the film, but still doesn't touch Roddy McDowall's bold, furious, intense Octavian in the Liz Taylor mega-film. Comparisons with that other movie are inevitable, and the winner is hands-down the earlier epic. This version is not very well paced, and, let's face it, it wasn't exactly Will's best dialogue. And Hildegard Neil really drags the movie down a bit, although she's not as bad as everyone says. Visually it's majestic, and that John Scott/Augusto Algero score is certainly pleasing to the ears (though it can't rival Alex North's "Cleopatra"). It's okay, but I can't say I recommend it unless you're on a really serious Shakespeare kick and the only other movies available are Branagh's.

This epic period drama produced in the early-'70s was Charlton Heston's third cinematic performance as Marc Antony a propos of versions of 'Julius Caesar' produced earlier in his career in 1950 and 1970 - the latter starred that great English classical actor Sir John Gielgud as Caesar. Financed by Folio Films, the Rank Organisation, Zurich-based Transac and the Spanish backer Izaro Films and filmed at Madrid's Moro Studios, Alcazaba and Aranjuez plus the deserts of Tabernas in Almeria between June and August 1971 and released in that greyest of hippy years -1972 - this is a very credible, economic production and is full of classical things. I was most impressed by the visual relationships - a vigorous gladiatorial combat scene, the alien pyramids and temples, lavish costumes, interesting props that include a huge marble head of Apollo and statues of Venus, glittery bronze door panels, an ebony throne, high-stepping feather-plumed plumed Roman horses etc plus a lush romantic light classical score composed by John Scott. The abundant Spanish sun is astonishing and the camera records the zeitgeist and passage of time in the summer and autumn of 1971 so well. Heston's grandiloquent performance in some scenes can be compared to the flair of those other important American stars - Marlon Brando and Kirk Douglas in two adventure films: ''Burn!'' (1968-1970) and ''The Light at the Edge of the World'' (1971) respectively, also produced at the end of the '60s/beginning of the '70s. In the aftermath of the Battle of Actium, Heston with his hawk-like profile seems strangely self-willed - sporting an auburn caesar cut and black cape he bestrides the Mediterranean surf like a colossus - he shows an astonishing sense of projection. Antony's death scene - when he is stabbed by his servant features a strange Spanish night-time setting - the subdued light is very evocative while the funeral scene features a monumental square grey-blue slab and other interesting classical world props. The English actors - the young blond John Castle as Octavian and thin, greyhaired and dark-eyed Eric Porter as Enobarbus are very good. Charlton Heston's 16-year-old son Fraser was involved on the set and in an interview from 2009 featured on the retail DVD he remarks that his father was inspired by the 'mystique' of Spain. Hildegard Neil who plays Cleopatra is married in real life to Yorkshireman Brian Blessed who played Augustus in the B. B. C. Period drama series ''I, Claudius'' (1976). For me, this is Chuck's second most interesting performance after his epic role in Peckinpah's ''Major Dundee'' ('64-65) which was filmed in Mexico.

Heston managed to "open up" the play without losing the intimacy of the love story. The stately epic lives side by side with the intense love story. When the wounded Antony looks up to Cleopatra's tomb and cries "I am dying Egypte, dying!" I got it. The passions of such great leaders shake nations to their core.

This one is about Heston, on the verge of losing his matinée idol status by 1974 but with the acting seasoning of more than two decades. He tackles Shakespeare and brings his own experiences of filming Julius Ceasar, El Cid and Ben Hur to the table.

It is a labour of love indeed, but also one of determination. Bravo! Still waiting for the DVD with plenty of extras. This film deserves to be re-visited by scholars.

When I first saw this film I liked it very much except for Hildegard Neils performance as Cleopatra. I guess the Liz Taylor version is hard to forget. But this is Shakespeare and Ms. Neil handles the part very well.

After repeated viewings, I have come around. Mr. Heston was correct in his casting. Neils Cleopatra is convincing. You can't have Antony interested in a wimpy love sick girl. This Cleopatra "acts" and gets angry, sullen and has a range of emotions. You could see why Antony would be attracted to her over the sedate but beautiful Octavia.

This is a terrific film and grossly under rated. It was restored by Fraser Heston's company in 2005 but I have yet to see it's release on DVD.

What happened?

It would be very interesting to see how audiences in the 21st century would react to this movie if it were just released and shown in theaters -- the very same film, cast and all. My guess is that it would go over big. If for no other reason, than for the lavishness of the film and the tremendous action scenes. Many may also go for the love affair between the two leads. And, literary folks today would no doubt find it an interesting discussion topic for comparison with Shakespeare's play. Of course, historians might enter the discussion regarding the Battle of Actium, the personages, the politics and even the authenticity of costumes, ships, weapons, etc.

That should be enough to arouse the interest of any modern youths and older who have not seen this film. Because, "Antony and Cleopatra" was and is a first rate movie production of both a famous play, and of a piece of history that Shakespeare's play is about. It's not a great film, but a good one. Most of the filming was done in Spain, and the sea battle scenes were taken from earlier footage shot for the 1959 film, "Ben-Hur."

After watching this film again recently, I enjoyed it as much as I must have when I first saw it in a theater decades ago. It wasn't a blockbuster then, and due to some negative criticism after its release in Europe in 1972, it had only limited release in the U.S. in 1973. I don't know of anyone who saw it then that didn't think it was a very good film.

I think that movies of this nature and scale don't lose their appeal or impact with audiences. They are types of historical classics made on a grand scale. And that should make them appealing to audiences far into the future. Indeed, with all of the production involved, with so many properties, sets, costumes and more, such films reduce the need for future remakes. And, it doesn't hurt more recent generations and audiences to become familiar with the actors of the past who are in these roles.

All of the cast give fine performances. Charlton Heston helped produce and also directed the film, besides starring in it. Among superb roles and acting are those of Hildegarde Neil as Cleopatra and John Castle as Octavius Caesar. This is an entertaining fictional historical and literary-based movie. If William Shakespeare were alive to see it, my guess is that he would like this film as an extension of his play and for its historical portrayals.