Antony and Cleopatra (1972 film)


Antony and Cleopatra is a 1972 film adaptation of the play of the same name by William Shakespeare, directed by and starring Charlton Heston, and made by the Rank Organisation. Heston and Hildegarde Neil portray the titular roles of Mark Antony and Cleopatra, with a supporting cast featuring Eric Porter, John Castle, Fernando Rey, Carmen Sevilla, Freddie Jones, Peter Arne, Douglas Wilmer, Julian Glover and Roger Delgado. The picture was produced by Peter Snell from a screenplay by Federico De Urrutia and the director.

Cast

Distributors in 21 countries put up 65% of the $1.8 million budget. A bank put up the remainder 35%. Heston asked Orson Welles to direct, but Welles turned it down, so he decided to do it himself.
The film was shot in Spain. Heston re-used leftover footage of the sea battle from his 1959 film Ben-Hur.
Charlton Heston had played Mark Antony in two previous Shakespearean films, both adaptations of Julius Caesar, the first in 1950, the second in 1970.

Home video

The film received poor reviews and, as a consequence, a very limited release in the United States. It was released on DVD in March 2011.