Cleopatra (1912)

The fabled queen of Egypt's affair with Roman general Marc Antony is ultimately disastrous for both of them.

Director:

Charles L. Gaskill

Writer:

Victorien Sardou (adapted from the play by)

Stars:

Helen Gardner, Pearl Sindelar, Miss Fielding

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Helen Gardner	...	Cleopatra - Queen of Egypt (as Miss Gardner)
Pearl Sindelar	...	Iras - An Attendant (as Miss Sindelar)
Miss Fielding	...	Charmian - An Attendant
Miss Robson	...	Octavia - Wife of Antony
Helene Costello	...	Nicola - a Child (as Miss Helene)
Charles Sindelar	...	Antony - a Triumvir and General (as Mr. Sindelar)
Mr. Howard	...	Pharon - a Greek Slave and Fisherman
James R. Waite	...	Venditius - a Roman Soldier (as Mr. Waite)
Mr. Osborne	...	Diomedes - a Rich Egyptian (as Mr. Osborn)
Harry Knowles	...	Kephren - Captain of the Guards to the Queen (as Harley Knowles)
Mr. Paul	...	Octavius - a Triumvir and General
Mr. Brady	...	Serapian - an Egyptian Priest
Mr. Corker	...	Ixias - Servant to Ventidius

Storyline

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.

---

Plot Keywords:

character name as title | cleopatra character | marc antony character | one word title | slave | 

---

Genres:

Drama | History

---

Certificate:

Unrated

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film is one of the first six-reel feature films produced in the United States. With the tagline "The most beautiful motion picture ever made", the film was the first to offer a feature-length depiction of Cleopatra, although there had been a short film about Antony and Cleopatra earlier.

---

Goofs

The costumes and hairstyles of Cleopatra and her servants are reminiscent of the Greek style, definitely not Egyptian, albeit in the Roman Period.

---

Quotes

Cleopatra - Queen of Egypt: Go - - but be faithful to me!

---

Crazy Credits

Helen Gardner Picture Players, Tappan-on-the-Hudson, New York.

---

Alternate Versions

A restored version, funded by Turner Classic Movies and in the George Eastman House Collection, was shown on Turner Classic Movies on 10 August 2000. It has an original music score by Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida, and runs 88 minutes.

---

Connections

Version of Cleopatra (1934)

User Reviews

Very interesting

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.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

None English

Release Date:

13 November 1912 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cleopatra: The Romance of a Woman and a Queen

Filming Locations:

Tappan, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$45,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Helen Gardner Picture Players

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min 88 min (TV)

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1