User reviews

I made the decision to be the one to actually watch this.

It's worse than expected and I had severely low expectations.

There is nothing redeeming about this. The acting is wooden, there's so many leaps in logic it's genuinely concerning. This should be called Based on Cleopatra.

The Roman men are portrayed in a comical way that really shows the creators have a crippling bias against Europeans.

They threw in some weird fight training that would never have happened and some dance stuff...for some reason.

The lead actress is perfect in that she's boring, bad at acting, and looks about as much like Cleopatra as everyone in the world who saw the previews has already stated.

Netflix should give everyone a free month for having produced this wreck.

This must be the jewel in the crown of Hollywood's obsession with identity and the perfect example of a whole smogarsboard of mistakes. From the unfortunate trailer that must have been designed with the explicit intent to create controversy- why elser put that silly old woman with her grandma into it?-to the girl power vibe that Jada Pinkett further emphasized with her melodramatic narration. The director seems to have a fundamental misunderstanding of the difference between fiction and documentary. People keep bringing up the example of Liz Taylor, yet the movie never claimed to be a historically correct account, but pure entertainment. This is not the case with this unfortunate concoction that puts Cleopatra into the same basket with other African queens (whatever that means), though neither her ancestry nor her position imply she had anything to do with Egyptian heritage apart from the fact she ruled over the country. If the world's leading Egyptologist who's currently searching for her tomb, Zahi Hawass, calls this a fradulent mess, the only thing viewers whose grandmothers had some basic education can do is to give this self-righteous pile of wishful thinking a skip. In the attempt to make her look more relatable, textured and stronger, Adele James made a fool of herself. I suggest to the director to stick to fiction in the future. If she continues with her wrecking ball-approach to history, who knows how far she might go. Maybe the granny from the trailer knows it, but I don't want to know. Let's hope we can put this traumatic experience to bed soon and I hope the same thing doesn't happen to Adele James' career as well.

It is hard to take this "documentary" seriously when there are errors is in just about every scene. Ancient Egypt existed for three and a half millennia, and the Ptolemaic period of Greek control and its involvement in Roman policies, especially the Roman civil wars is a very specific period. For example no Egyptian was spoken at the court, Greek was spoken.

But getting costumes wrong, getting basic timelines of battles (like Actium) wrong, placing Cleopatra at events we know she was not present at, mixing up things done by Anthony with those done by Octavian and an unending series of errors just makes this impossible to watch. It is clear no experts, or even anyone with a basic knowledge of the history of the time and place was involved, or if they were, their advise was inverted.

The dialogue is also laughably childish s is the acting.

As an avid history enthusiast, I had high hopes for the Queen Cleopatra. However, upon watching it, I was left utterly disappointed and frustrated. This show, marketed as a historical drama, not only deviates from established historical facts but also presents a revisionist and fantastical version of Cleopatra's story.

One of the fundamental principles of any historical adaptation is to remain true to the events and characters of the past. Unfortunately, this series throws that principle out the window. Instead of providing an accurate portrayal of the legendary Queen Cleopatra, it takes an absurd and misguided approach, reimagining her as a sorceress with supernatural abilities. This fantastical element completely undermines the rich historical context and erodes any credibility the show might have had.

Moreover, the series seems to prioritize sensationalism over historical accuracy. Important events are either altered or entirely fabricated for the sake of creating dramatic tension. This kind of reckless manipulation of historical events not only distorts our understanding of the past but also sends a dangerous message to viewers. As George Santayana once said, "Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it." By blurring the lines between fantasy and reality, the Queen Cleopatra mini-series fails to educate and enlighten its audience about the fascinating history of ancient Egypt.

Furthermore, the characters in this series lack depth and nuance. Cleopatra, an iconic and complex historical figure, is reduced to a one-dimensional caricature. Her intelligence, political acumen, and strategic brilliance are overshadowed by her fantastical powers. The portrayal of other significant historical figures, such as Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, is equally disappointing. They are depicted as shallow and inconsequential, devoid of the depth and charisma they possessed in reality.

In addition to its historical inaccuracies and shallow character development, the dialogue is clunky and uninspiring, failing to capture the grandeur and eloquence associated with the time period.

First, this should not be in any documentary category. If there was a "Completely utterly fake account of History" category then this would belong in that one. I don't even know what to say other then I think the creators might be on something.

Costumes: Inaccurate Timeline: Inaccurate Civics of the time: Inaccurate Dialogue: Childish Portrayal of Cleopatra: Inaccurate Battles: Laughable Casting: Laughable Acting: Horrible

All this just makes it impossible to watch. Everyone involved in this project should be ashamed. If they wanted to do it this way they should have just made an action movie like they did with Alexander. That was horrible as well, but Queen Cleopatra has managed to make a statement of "Hold my beer" and literally make one of the worst documentaries/movies ever.

The documentary isn't bad. 95% of the reviews being 1 out of ten clearly means those reviews were driven by separate emotional discernment. It's a beautiful documentary! The commentators are very articulate. The matter of the race of Cleopatra is the main focus by the general public. Which, everyone knows she was mixed and no one knows her true color. So, who cares if she is played by a black woman. The actress is very beautiful. One of the commentators said that everyone depicts Cleopatra to be whatever race they prefer which is an understandable concept being that no one can say what race she was exactly. The show is great. I loved it.

Ah, this "documentary" is an absolute treasure trove of wisdom. It ingeniously begins with the unassailable insight of a grandmother's anecdote, because clearly, basing historical facts on family tales is the pinnacle of scholarly rigor. Then, it masterfully establishes a connection between Cleopatra's ethnicity and the Macedonians, who casually swung by three centuries earlier. Who needs meticulous historical research when we have such profound revelations at hand? It's a testament to Netflix's commitment to providing us with the most intellectually stimulating and rigorously accurate content.

This movie is nothing but a shoddy, inaccurate joke of a movie. There is nothing remotely historical or biographical about it whatsoever. Someone just wanted to interject their social justice view of history into their own version and try to pass it off as if it were even remotely true. It is full of suppositions, guesses, and assumptions instead of historical fact. Aside from that, it is extremely dull and boring. They really should leave the history to actual academics instead of trying to continually push their leftist narrative via these boorish propaganda films that no one has asked for in the first place.

It's a well known historical fact that Cleopatra was white, since she was Greek. This show that calls itself a "documentary" distorts that fact for ideological reasons. There is no evidence whatsoever that supports the claim that Cleopatra was of a different ethnicity or race. The creators of this terrible show have managed to offend millions of people of European descent but also Egyptians who are represented as black Africans. The show is also dangerous due to the harm it does to the young people whose main source of information is the internet rather than books. Not worth watching for sure.

I didn't expect to see an accurate account about a historical figure who lived around 70 to 30 BC since I don't believe anybody can vouch for 100% accuracy of events around that period. After all, "history is written by the victors". Furthermore, I don't depend on movies and TV shows for history lessons. When I crave for accuracy, I turn to academically accepted sources like books. I consider TV documentaries as starting points for further research, to see if the subject matter is interesting enough to spend more time on. So I watched this docuseries just to see how it will try to piece together historical events involving this most intriguing woman.

In this regard, I think this series did an okay job so I was shocked at how critics lambasted a docuseries about an ancient figure for inaccuracy. It seems a lot of reviewers did not approve of the decision to make Cleopatra dark-skinned. Is it a fact that Cleopatra was fair-skinned? Granted, the Ptolemy dynasty started with a Macedonian Greek general. But from Ptolemy I Soter to Cleopatra's father, Ptolemy XII, was there any record of who the mothers were? Is it sure that none of the mothers was dark-skinned?

As for other events shown in the series, is it not true that the Ptolemies married siblings? Didn't she marry her brother Ptolemy XIII then Ptolemy XIV? Didn't she have her brothers and sister Arsinoe killed? Didn't she have an affair with Caesar and have a child with him? Didn't she have an affair with Mark Anthony and have children with him? Didn't she and Octavian engage in a war that she lost? Didn't she commit suicide?

Even if any of these events did not happen, did all of these not happen? Considering how even Oscar-award winning historical movies also have inaccuracies, the harsh treatment this series received is rather too severe.

Having said that, there were some aspects that did turn me off this drama, one of which was the attempt to make it raunchy. I didn't expect to see award-winning acting but the actors looked awkward portraying unnecessary intimate scenes, making such scenes cringey. Nevertheless, the failure to make this another Game of Thrones does not warrant the degree to which this docuseries was flayed.

Firstly, I need to say that I don't care that a person of color was chosen to play the lead.

That being said, to call this work of pure fiction a "Documentary" is ridiculous. I watched the first episode and had to give up. I do understand that to make a series about someone who lived a couple thousand years ago will required much "filling in of the blanks" but, come on!, at least fill in those blanks with something that was remotely probable.

I am sick of hearing people talk about historical people based on fictionalized Hollywood portrayals of them. This farce will just add to that.

This series, my friends, is FAKE NEWS.

Pure and poor fiction - nothing more.

A badly acted, badly mate, poor docu series, Netflix have put out an absolute howler with this one.

I have always thought the purpose of a documentary was to educate, as much as entertain, there is so much about this that just doesn't work, I'm not quite sure I recognise the title character at all.

There is not enough input from the experts, and what there is, I just found so questionable. What should have been dramatic, exciting and educational, was dull, flat and uninspiring, what a shame, Cleopatra's story is a fascinating one, this does not do her any justice.

I spent a couple of hours on a drab Sunday evening watching it, I genuinely hope you don't do the same, genuinely don't waste your time on this one.

1/10.

If you need the headline ' don't waste your time with this show' As an Egyptian and as someone who studied ancient Egyptian history I am really sad. It seems that Netflix was short on the money because the caliber of the historians they hired is a joke. As fictional series I would give it 5/10. As documentary 2 is enough. They got some facts right but I will not show it to anyone without a Hugh disclaimer " don't believe any of what you see". Regarding Cleopatra color there are a lot more experienced Egyptologists who already spoke on the matter. They are much better shows to watch if you are really interested in Cleopatra.

For a Documentary series , this " show " failed at all levels .

Zero historical accuracy , poor casting , not referring to a single reputable historical expert either from Greece / Macedonia where cleopatra decent or Egypt where she ruled and lived , beyond naive script as if it's meant for soap opera , poor acting , poor directing , it's amazing how bad a Documentary try to attract attention by being produced in a soap opera like , there would have been some level of understanding if it was presented as a drama or " inspired by " movie but to present a documentary with this extreme poor writing , producing , acting & direction is just unreal.

The Queen Cleopatra TV Show, advertised as a historical drama, disappoints due to its disregard for historical accuracy and its misleading representation of Cleopatra's ethnicity. Key historical figures like Julius Caesar and Mark Antony are simplified into one-dimensional caricatures, undermining the show's credibility. The depiction of Cleopatra's life lacks historical accuracy, distorting important milestones and relationships. Portraying Cleopatra as a dark-skinned woman contradicts historical evidence and disregards the cultural context of ancient Egypt. This misrepresentation perpetuates a false narrative, disrespecting Cleopatra's identity and overlooking the complexities of the era. The show's failure to uphold historical accuracy undermines viewers' understanding of history and diminishes the significance of Cleopatra's reign. Overall, the Queen Cleopatra TV Show falls short in delivering an authentic and accurate portrayal, compromising the integrity of historical drama. Viewers should demand higher standards of accuracy and respect for historical figures, ensuring they are depicted with dignity and cultural context.

Let's face the truth, there is no way to tell for a 100% certainty whether the theories in this series are all true or not. No one has all the answers, because enough valid evidence of what happened during Cleopatra's lifetime and her background doesn't seem to exist. Some things, such as her relationships with Romans, Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, are not in dispute, but all the personal details of those relationships are in question, because no one left a record behind of private conversations between these folks. Apparently, what disturbs some folks the most about this series is the question of what race Cleopatra was. I find that a moot point, since her race does not change her story and the results of her life, and death. That is what is most important.

I haven't seen any of the many films made about Cleopatra, but I assumed a documentary would take less liberties with the few known facts about her life. The actress playing Cleopatra gives a compelling portrayal of the legendary Pharao. However, the documentary claims that Cleopatra was black, which has no basis in history. The Hellenistic Ptolemaian dynasty was known for its inbreeding and refusal to intermarry with the Egyptians over whom they ruled. You can't rewrite history and call it a documentary. "Black Cleopatra " is an interesting thought experiment at best, or just another conspiracy theory that Netflix viewers will gobble up without questions. Netflix should stop falsely calling their speculative enertainment "documentaries". It is an entertaining and well acted mini-series about Cleopatra that's not entirely ficticious.

The problem with this show is that this is not fantasy they claim it is a documentary, and they manage to spin historical facts with classic revisionism.

This will make some kids and future generations that watch this series think that scientists got it wrong and some americans know better the history of another country.

This show is an insult to history and will create generations of young adults and kids that have a distorted view of history and reality.

Americans should stop making documentaries about other country history, and they should check their own history, this is an insult to Egypt, and insult to Europe, and insult to Greece, and insult to historians, an insult to scientists and all to please a certain group in US.

I don't have a problem with a black person playing Cleopatra. I mean if White Liz can make it work why can't a black actress? Or Hispanic or Egyptian? I mean.. we do have Egyptian actors right? I just wish Jada had used a lighter skinned back actress. More realistic looking. (But we know Hollywood will take 2 dark parents and give them a light kid or a mixed couple and give them a kid with dark skin and totally nappy hair .. My family is proof it doesn't work that way IRL)

It's like when Hollywood would use white actors for all parts. White, Black (using painted on blackface) , Native American, Hispanic and Other.. I mean Cool Yul played Ramses and had me thinking he was Egyptian most of my life. Great casting.

So . Why is everyone so upset about a black person playing Cleopatra? I mean.. she was in Africa right? Obviously didn't look like Liz Taylor., but that was OK?

So, don't complain. If this portrayal was being done in ancient times, Cleopatra would be portrayed by a male stage actor. As was all acting back then.

This show is very informative. If not enough for you then get on line and do your own research.

Netflix is going crazy right now. Changing the history to fit a specific agenda has never been okay. I'm all for black rights and black history, but you don't have to change someone else's history to fit the narrative you want. There are many great stories about black people, that deserve to be published, why not doing that?

If you want to learn history, don't watch this "documentary". Cleopatra was Greek, thus she was white. The documentary as shown in the trailer, starts with the phrase "Don't listen to what they told you in schools, cleopatra was black". So now we have to throw history books away and let some random person on TV tell his own story and we have to clap for them just to not hurt their feelings.

What in the world did I just watch?!? Someone, anyone... Please tell me this was a parody!! Or an attempt at comical fiction!! If not, I have no words!! Possibly.. No, DEFINITELY, The WORST thing I have EVER attempted to watch!! I just, I mean, I, there's just, like, I mean they're are NO words in the English language to describe how horrible this was. First things first, in a "documentary" facts are typically the midst important thing. Research, being a very close second. I don't even know how I got through this entire thing.. maybe because it was so laughably awful, in had to see where it was going... Not very far! That's where it was going!

Netflix decided to falsify history for the sake of "PC".

Rather than getting proper historians and doing a documentary on great Black figures, they just decided that "African" figure would be black and got their Egyptian history references from "Grannies" instead of Egyptologists!

You can do black Little Mermaid, Chinese Bond, or even White Black Panther! But don't do a "documentary" (not a drama!, a documentary) and reference your grandmother's bedtime stories to create new history!

Or else, why stop here? Let's get Jackie Chan to do Muhammed Ali Biopic, and maybe Omar Sharif (he was "African") and do Obama biopic, and while we're at it, maybe De Niro can do Malcolm X!!

The series delves into the intriguing historical events between Rome and Egypt during the Pre-Roman Empire era. It attempts to showcase the cultural customs and significant events of the time, albeit with a somewhat exaggerated and parodic tone. However, the execution of the acting and mannerisms falls short, displaying either overly modernistic approaches or subpar performances.

The focus primarily revolves around analyzing Cleopatra's emotional states and her relationships with high-status men during that period. At times, the narration feels akin to a gossip show, with the narrators confidently presenting speculations as if they were indisputable facts. While there is an apparent attempt to bring these historical events to life, particularly from a women empowerment standpoint, it ultimately lacks depth and veers into the realm of cliché.

Considering the effort put forth, I would rate it a 1 out of 10. The series transitions from a promising historical docuseries to a melodramatic narrative that detracts from its intended purpose.

Cleopatra was a direct descendant of one of Alexander the Greats generals, Ptolemy that acquired the region after his death. So she was Macedonian. They only married members of their own family so it's hard to believe that Cleopatra looked native to the region. The Romans were very accurate when minting their coins. Many were made with the Cleopatra head. She definitely wasn't as beautiful as Hollywood likes to portray either. But she must've been extremely keen to get both Julius Caesar and Marc Antony to fall in love and make babies with her.

This is the problem with the majority of the historical "documentaries" these days. How about trying to make them historically correct. If you want to watch some real history try the Great Courses with college professors. You can get as an add in on Amazon for pretty cheap. It's well worth it.