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Cleopatra

Play trailer Poster for Cleopatra 1917 Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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91% Tomatometer 23 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Cleopatra

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Theda Bara is the magnetic focal point of this massive spectacle, with no expense spared to evoke the grandeur and tragedy of Cleopatra's life.

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Critics Reviews

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Neville Cardus Guardian 04/09/2021
The film Cleopatra is another proof that the kinema may accomplish some of the effects of authentic dramatic art if it will only select its subjects judiciously. Go to Full Review Richard L. Stokes St. Louis Post-Dispatch 03/10/2021
Scenery and costumes no more constitute a dramatic masterpiece in the movies than they do in the theater. There must be an architecture in the plot, a scientific employment of the stresses and strains of motives. Go to Full Review Edward A. Morphy San Francisco Chronicle 03/10/2021
[Cleopatra presents] half a dozen of the most artistically beautiful scenes that have ever been photographed. Go to Full Review PG Staff Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 03/10/2021
Theda Bara's vivid portrayal of the famous Egyptian Queen stands out as one of the most daring characterizations ever presented in motion pictures. Go to Full Review Courant Staff Hartford Courant 03/10/2021
This is the occasional screen production that startles by its magnificence and by the hugeness of its representation. Go to Full Review Gazette Staff Montreal Gazette 03/10/2021
Though truly wonderful scenic effects are brought into play... the most striking feature of all was Miss Bara's simulation of the caprices and allurements of the great Egyptian Queen. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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J L 06/14/2010 Sadly we will never know about this movie.Only a few clips survive of this 1st epic movie. I will still give it a rating. becouse it's the first Cleopatra movie that inspired and set the bar for all others that were to come. It employed at that time an unheard of 2000 extras, Huge sets, and broke all the major rules for being very risque. (Theda Bara's costumes were almost none exsistant) When they came out with a set of codes, most copies were destroyed bcouse of being so risque. then the last 2 survivng copies along with many other silent films were lost due to fires. I give this flick 4and 1/2 stars for being so daring and for being the first ever Cleopatra film. I am also the first on flixster to write any thing about this iconic lost film. See more 08/04/2008 got bored with this one See more Read all reviews
Cleopatra

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Cast & Crew

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J. Gordon Edwards

Director

Theda Bara

Cleopatra

Fritz Leiber

Caesar

Thurston Hall

Actor

Herschel Mayall

Actor

Alan Roscoe

Actor
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Cleopatra

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Movie Info

Director
J. Gordon Edwards
Producer
William Fox
Screenwriter
Adrian Johnson
Distributor
Fox Film Corporation
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 14, 1917, Original