Asterix and Obelix Meet Cleopatra (2002)

Astérix and Obélix go to Egypt to help architect Numérobis who is building a palace for Cleopatra.

Director:

Alain Chabat

Writers:

René Goscinny (comic book "Astérix et Cléopatre"), Albert Uderzo (comic book "Astérix et Cléopatre")

Stars:

Gérard Depardieu, Christian Clavier, Jamel Debbouze

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gérard Depardieu	...	Obélix
Christian Clavier	...	Astérix
Jamel Debbouze	...	Numérobis
Monica Bellucci	...	Cléopâtre
Alain Chabat	...	Jules César
Claude Rich	...	Panoramix
Gérard Darmon	...	Amonbofis
Edouard Baer	...	Otis
Dieudonné	...	Caius Céplus
Mouss Diouf	...	Baba, la vigie des pirates
Marina Foïs	...	Sucettalanis
Bernard Farcy	...	Barbe-Rouge le pirate
Jean Benguigui	...	Malococsis
Michel Crémadès	...	Triple Patte
Jean-Paul Rouve	...	Caius Antivirus

Storyline

The Egyptian Queen Cleopatra bets against the Roman Emperor, Julius Caesar, that her people are still great, even if the times of the Pharaohs has long passed. She vows (against all logic) to build a new palace for Caesar within three months. Since all her architects are either busy otherwise or too conservative in style, this ambivalent honor falls to Edifis. He is to build the palace and be covered in gold or, if not, his fate is to be eaten by crocodiles. Edifis calls upon an old friend to help him out: The fabulous Druid Getafix from Gaul, who brews a fantastic potion that gives supernatural strength. In order to help and protect the old Druid, Asterix and Obelix accompany him on his journey to Egypt. When Julius Caesar gets wind of the project succeeding, he has the building site attacked by his troops in order to win the bet and not lose face. But just like the local pirates, he hasn't counted on Asterix and Obelix.

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Plot Keywords:

asterix | architect | anachronism | based on comic book | comicbook movie | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language, sensuality and mild violence

Details

Country:

France Germany

Language:

French Arabic Cantonese Latin German

Release Date:

24 June 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra

Filming Locations:

Atlas Corporation Studios, Ouarzazate, Morocco

Box Office

Budget:

FRF 327,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$2,081,354 (France), 25 January 2002

Gross USA:

$3,115,188

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$111,127,553

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canal+, Centre National de la Cinématographie (CNC), Chez Wam

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min 85 min (cut)

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The purposely poorly-drawn picture of Asterix and Obelix on the pirate's parchment was actually rendered by series creator/artist Albert Uderzo.

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Goofs

The stack of Roman helmets that Obelix collects during the final battle changes.

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Quotes

Numérobis: Vous connaissez Panoramisme ? C'est un droïde.

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Crazy Credits

During the credits, a short scene is shown where Caesar is not allowed into Cleopatra's party with his 'real' name.

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Alternate Versions

In the usual Miramax way, approx. 20 minutes were cut from the English dubbed version. Removed were many of Gérard Depardieu's scenes as well as all references made to Cleopatra's nose.

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Connections

Referenced in Shooting Stars (2002)

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Soundtracks

I Feel Good
Performed by James Brown

User Reviews

Exclusively French, but Monica is awesome

You cannot be seeing the same movie if you didn't grow up in France (or spent at least 10 years there, like me). I don't know if it will ever make it outside French cultural borders (I include Belgium and Luxembourg here). You cannot translate its kind of fun - every name is joke (how many people outside Paris would understand the pun in "Couloirdebus", the name of one of the Roman legionnaires ?). However Monica Bel(l?)ucci is so beautiful, I almost forgot to breathe when I saw her.