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.

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language, sensuality and mild violence

Details

Country:

France Germany

Language:

French Arabic Cantonese Latin German

Release Date:

30 January 2002 (France)

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.

---

Goofs

Just before the characters visit the pyramid, first Idefix is sitting on a step of the pyramid, the next shot he sits next to the "portrait".

---

Quotes

Amonbofis: Débrouille toi pour que ces pierres n'arrivent jamais au chantier. Pas de pierre, pas de construction. Pas de construction, pas de palais. Pas de palais... pas de palais.

---

Crazy Credits

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

---

Alternate Versions

The entirety of the movie's Hungarian dub was written in playful, rhyming prose, with a host of newly added puns.

---

Connections

Featured in Jmenuju Se Martin: Zkus si nezpívat challenge (2017)

---

Soundtracks

Walk Like an Egyptian
Written by Liam Sternberg
Performed by Deep Forest featuring Beverly Jo Scott

User Reviews

A brilliant comedy

This is definitely a "must see" film. The excellent Director Alain Chabat (also acting as Ceasar) has managed to capture the very essence of the "Adventures of Astérix" (the French comic books it's based upon) and to create a fantastically modern and intelligent comedy, which is also an homage to the world of animated films. This movie is so funny, so full of jokes (both visual and spoken) that it might take you two or three screenings before you notice them all, between your bursts of laughter. The only drawback is that a non-French audience (or at least a non-French speaking audience) might not get all the "private jokes". There are so many dialogues impossible to translate, so many situations directly related either to the comic books or to the French way of life, that the fun might be lessened. However, it's still totally worth seeing for the beautiful picture, the amazing stunts, the music, the totally crazy atmosphere and the excellent acting. All actors are great, but the film would not be the same without Jamel Debouze, Gérard Darmon and Edouard Baer. And please don't EVER compare this magnificent film to the terrible previous one based on the same comic books : "Astérix et Obélix Contre César" and directed by Claude Zidi.