In Egypt, messengers from Rome arrive to inform Mark Antony, a Roman general and member of the Second Triumvirate, of Rome's political affairs. Antony, who has fallen in love with Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt, is uninterested but Cleopatra persuades him to listen. Proculeius informs Antony that his wife Fulvia has died after she and Antony's brother Lucius Antonius had rebelled against Octavius, another triumvir.
In Rome, Octavia notifies Lepidus, the third triumvir, that Antony has abandoned his responsibilities. Lepidus defends Antony's weaknesses, and the two agree to raise an army against Sextus Pompey. Antony returns to Rome to amend relations with Octavius, in which Agrippa suggests Antony marry Octavia's sister Octavia. Before battle, the triumvirs meet with Pompey and offer him control of Sicily and Sardinia on the condition he drives out the pirates and pay tribute. After some hesitation, Sextus agrees. They engage in a drunken celebration on Sextus' galley. Meanwhile, Menas suggests to Sextus that he defeat his political rivals and make himself ruler of the Roman Republic, but Sextus refuses.
Back in Egypt, Cleopatra learns Antony's marriage to Octavia and strikes her messenger for delivering the news. She sends her messenger to witness the marriage union in Rome, in which the messenger then returns to Egypt and describes Octavia's physical features. While in Rome, Antony asks a soothsayer whether his or Octavius's fortunes will rise. The soothsayer replies in favor of Octavius and advises Antony to keep his distance. Antony then returns to Egypt and reunites with Cleopatra, where he crowns her and himself as coregents of Egypt. In the wake, Octavius finds Antony is displeased with his allocation of Sextus Pompey's territories and dictates that Lepidus be disposed as triumvirate.
Octavius agrees with the latter demand but declares war against Antony. Enobarbus urges Antony to fight on land, believing that Octavius's naval forces hold the greater advantage. Antony however refuses and battles Octavius's forces in the Battle of Actium, with assistance from Cleopatra's fleet. During the battle, Cleopatra's fleet withdraws and Antony follows, leaving his forces defeated. Antony returns to the palace and lies in shame accusing himself of dishonor. Cleopatra comforts Antony, and as the two kiss, he remarks that even her kiss repays him for his shame.
On the eve of battle, Antony sends the soothsayer requesting a truce, but Octavius declines. Octavius then sends Thidias, a messenger, to ask Cleopatra to give up Antony and switch sides. She hesitates and flirts with the messenger until Antony walks in and angrily denounces her behavior. He has Thidias whipped. Eventually, Antony forgives Cleopatra. The next day, Antony challenges Octavius, whose forces are near Alexandria, to a one-on-one combat. Antony's forces depart to battle Octavius's on land while Enobarbus stays behind. Believing Antony's forces will fall to Octavius, Enobarbus throws himself off a cliff and dies.
Antony loses the battle and as he deserts en masse, he denounces Cleopatra for betrayal. Inside the palace, Cleopatra locks herself inside a monument, and sends her messenger to falsely inform Antony of her death. Believing she has died, Antony requests Eros, his aide, to impale him with his sword. Eros declines and instead impales himself, leaving Antony to do it himself. As Antony bleeds, the soothsayer informs him that Cleopatra is still alive. A dying Antony returns to Cleopatra and dies in her arms.
Octavius is informed of Antony's death and sends Proculeius to demand for Cleopatra's surrender. Cleopatra tries to take her own life but is prevented. Sometime later, Octavius arrives and assures her that as his prisoner of war, she will be treated with respect. Cleopatra imagines she will be humiliated and proceeds to kill herself through the venomous bite of an asp. Her handmaidens Charmian and Iras follow her in death. Upon learning of Cleopatra's death, Octavius decides to have her buried next to Antony.
Distributors in 21 countries put up 65 percent of the $1.8 million budget (which was actually $2.7 million but Heston and Snell deferred their fees). A bank put up the remainder 35 percent. Heston asked Orson Welles to direct but Welles turned it down, so he decided to do it himself.[1]
The film was shot in Spain. Heston re-used leftover footage of the sea battle from his 1959 film Ben-Hur as well as outtakes from the 1963 film Cleopatra.[3]
Charlton Heston had played Mark Antony in two previous Shakespearean films, both adaptations of Julius Caesar, the first in 1950, the second in 1970 (also produced by Peter Snell).
Home video
The film received poor reviews[4] and, as a consequence, a very limited release in the United States. It was released on DVD in March 2011.[5]
References
^ abMills, Bart (26 March 1972). "Heston plays hero for Bard". Chicago Tribune. p. j16.
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