Episode 188: Cleopatra (1963)

This week at The Film Club we’re kicking off the month of April with a new theme, Hollywood Epics! We begin this month with the epic that almost broke a studio, Cleopatra. The film takes place in 48 BC after the Battle of Pharsalus, Julius Caesar travels to Egypt under the pretext of being named the executor of the will of the recently deceased pharaoh. Upon his arrival he meets the new Pharaoh Ptolemy XIII and his sister Cleopatra VII (whom he deposed so he could become supreme ruler of Egypt). Cleopatra knows she must gain favor from Caesar to regain her power as Queen of Egypt and in the process the two fall in love. When Cleopatra’s brother attempts to have her assassinated Caesar has him banished, then declaring Cleopatra the sole ruler of Egypt. Cleopatra and Caesar soon have a son named Caesarion but Caesar must return back home to Italy and will not see his child or Cleopatra for three long years. When Cleopatra and Caesar reunite it ends in tragedy and years after this tragic event a new love sparks between Cleopatra and Caesar’s protégé Mark Antony. Join us for this fun guest episode with Cousin of the Podcast Yasmin as we dive into the world of Cleopatra.