Complete credited cast: | |||
Helen Gardner | ... | Cleopatra - Queen of Egypt (as Miss Gardner) | |
Pearl Sindelar | ... | Iras - An Attendant (as Miss Sindelar) | |
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Miss Fielding | ... | Charmian - An Attendant |
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Miss Robson | ... | Octavia - Wife of Antony |
Helene Costello | ... | Nicola - a Child (as Miss Helene) | |
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Charles Sindelar | ... | Antony - a Triumvir and General (as Mr. Sindelar) |
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Mr. Howard | ... | Pharon - a Greek Slave and Fisherman |
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James R. Waite | ... | Venditius - a Roman Soldier (as Mr. Waite) |
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Mr. Osborne | ... | Diomedes - a Rich Egyptian (as Mr. Osborn) |
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Harry Knowles | ... | Kephren - Captain of the Guards to the Queen (as Harley Knowles) |
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Mr. Paul | ... | Octavius - a Triumvir and General |
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Mr. Brady | ... | Serapian - an Egyptian Priest |
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Mr. Corker | ... | Ixias - Servant to Ventidius |
When she discovers that a slave named Pharon professes his love for her, Cleopatra makes a bargain with him: she will give him ten days of "love," at the end of which he is to commit suicide. He agrees, although the queen's handmaiden Iras, in love with the slave, isn't happy with the arrangement. Later when Cleopatra is seducing Marc Antony, her relationship with Pharon is used against her, but with little effect. She allies herself with Antony against Octavius, participates in a brief war, then meets her end rather than be subjected to Roman rule. Written by Ron Kerrigan <mvg@whidbey.com>
I just saw this version of "Cleopatra" as part of TCM's Women Pioneers in Film Series. Although I think they did a beautiful job on the restoration, I found the new, avant-garde soundtrack too invasive and distracting. In fact, I had to watch it with the mute on.
Having said that, though, I did find this adaptation interesting. It is true that, like many films of this era, it is a bit creaky and primitive. However, it provides a fascinating glimpse of early filmmaking--no closeups, the camera hardly ever moves, etc. I also found Ms. Gardener fascinating, given how much of the production was actually done by her, including costume design. I wish there were more information available on her life and career.