Synopsis
After leading his legions into Egypt, Julius Caesar (William) becomes so enamored of Cleopatra (Colbert), ruler of Egypt, he divorces his wife and marries her. Caesar and Cleopatra enter Rome triumphantly. On the Ides of March, 44 BC, Caesar walks up the stairs leading to the senate; during his speech he will announce his intention to become emperor and make Cleopatra his empress. Before Caesar arrives, his enemies surround and assassinate him.
Following Ceaser's murder, Cleopatra returns to Egypt. Marc Antony (Wilcoxon) leads his legions into Egypt, intending to capture Cleopatra and carry her to Rome in chains. Cleopatra carefully prepares herself to receive him. Her beauty and sensuality enthrall Antony, and he remains in Egypt. Octavian (Keith), Caesar’s nephew, leads his legions into Egypt and destroys the Egyptian army. With Octavian’s armies approaching, Antony stabs himself and dies in Cleopatra’s arms. Seated on her throne, Cleopatra clasps a venomous asp to her breast. She is dead when Octavian arrives to seize her.
Discussion
The dramatic story of Cleopatra provides appropriate material for a lavish epic. The exaggeration and unevenness present in many of DeMille's films is mostly absent here, probably because the plot stays fairly close to the history, and embellishment is unnecessary. Claudette Colbert is a strikingly beautiful Cleopatra; the ease with which she captivates both Caesar and Anthony is readily understandable. Dressed in slinky, sensational costumes, designed by Travis Banton, she displays her desirability, even as she enchants them with her charm and cleverness. Warren William, more at home in modern urban settings, subdues his speech patterns and mannerisms to convey the forcefulness and intelligence of Caesar. Henry Wilcoxon, generally an inexpressive actor, looks rather boyish and physically powerful as Antony.