Antony and Cleopatra (1972 film)

Antony and Cleopatra is a 1972 film adaptation of the play of the same name by William Shakespeare, directed by and starring Charlton Heston, and made by the Rank Organisation. Heston and Hildegarde Neil portray the titular roles of Mark Antony and Cleopatra, with a supporting cast featuring Eric Porter, John Castle, Fernando Rey, Carmen Sevilla, Freddie Jones, Peter Arne, Douglas Wilmer, Julian Glover and Roger Delgado. The picture was produced by Peter Snell from a screenplay by Federico De Urrutia and the director.

Cast

 * Charlton Heston as Mark Antony
 * Hildegarde Neil as Cleopatra
 * Eric Porter as Enobarbus
 * John Castle as Octavius Caesar
 * Fernando Rey as Lepidus
 * Carmen Sevilla as Octavia
 * Freddie Jones as Pompey
 * Peter Arne as Menas
 * Douglas Wilmer as Agrippa
 * Roger Delgado as Soothsayer
 * Julian Glover as Proculeius

Production
Distributors in 21 countries put up 65% 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%. Heston asked Orson Welles to direct, but Welles turned it down, so he decided to do it himself.

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 Cleopatra.

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 and, as a consequence, a very limited release in the United States. It was released on DVD in March 2011.