Have enormous appreciation for Shakespeare and his plays ever since being introduced to 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' and 'Macbeth' in primary school, when reading the text aloud and analysing as a class which fascinated and benefitted me (not everybody liked doing it though). 'Antony and Cleopatra' is for me towards the top ranking his plays, beautiful text and with two of Shakespeare's most justifiably iconic characters.

This version of 'Antony and Cleopatra' was also seen for seeing how Charlton Heston would fare as Antony and as director and for the cast. While it is far from a perfect film, its flaws not being small, or one of the best adaptations of Shakespeare's plays ever made, as far as versions of 'Antony and Cleopatra' go this is one of the better faring one. And this is probably not a popular opinion, if its low rating here, the not so favourable reviews and that it was not a financial success are to go by.

A lot of good things can be seen here. It looks very grand, with suitably lavish but not overblown scenery and truly beautiful photography. The music score very much matches this grandeur, in a way that's lush and stirring without losing momentum. Heston's direction is mostly on point, especially in the action and his expert direction of the supporting cast (less so unfortunately in the central relationship).

Script is intelligent and faithful, personally didn't think it was overly so. The more action oriented moments excite, have energy and don't look static, complete with a clear eye for spectacle without it swamping the drama. On the most part the story is involving, maintains the play's spirit and has powerful moments. Heston is authoritative and pretty much text-book as Antony, but for me the supporting cast (all excellent) are even better. The standouts being John Castle's fierce Octavious and Jane Lapotaire's full of life Charmian. Am surprised too that not an awful lot has been said about Eric Porter's moving and noble Enobarbus.

Was significantly less keen however on the Cleopatra of Hildegarde Neil, her performance lacked sensuality and dignity and was almost too sullen. The chemistry between Heston and Neil also could have done with a good deal more passion, found them bland at times together.

Momentum is not always there, the battles/action always compel and even scintillates, but Cleopatra's scenes apart from her final one was on the pedestrian side.

Concluding, not great but better than given credit for. 7/10.

The Empress Livia may not be in this production but the memory of her declaring a similarity in beauty with a certain Egyptian queen does guide this along for me, and it is very ironic that the actress playing Cleopatra here has been married for many years to the man who became Rome's first emperor, Augustus, after fighting Cleopatra as General Octavian. Brian Blessed was completely noble as Mark Anthony's one time brother-in-law who ended up his bitter enemy in his efforts to keep Rome free. Here, Octavius is played by another veteran of the beloved British mini-series, John Castle who would play Augustus's adopted son, Posthumous. It's a third go around as Mark Anthony for Charlton Heston, and in spite of being 49 at the time, still looked rugged and youthful enough to be the former Roman hero who betrayed his homeland for love, or at least lust.

The Shakespeare dialog has been altered somewhat to make it easier for the ear for a modern audience, and a colorful production with excellent photography, sets and costumes helps this rise above the cheap sword and sandal films that tried to give audiences a view of what the ancient world looked like. Epic in story but not in scope, this is a different view of the serpent of the Nile with Neil perhaps not a ravishing beauty but alluring in her passion, dangerous in her anger and accepting of her final fate. Her voice is very theatrical, a bit of Tallulah and Dame Judith in her diction, even if she lacks their commanding spirit. Had this been done as a Hammer film, I could see Barbara Steele playing the role much in the same way as Neil here.

Such familiar actors as Fernando Rey and Eric Porter appear to good advantage in other major parts, and Carmen Sevilla is a gentle contrast to the enigmatic Egyptian rival as Octavia, who married Mark Anthony and was the mother of Antonia, thus grandmother to emperor Claudius and great grandmother to his evil predecessor Caligula. Lots of history to keep up with here, an impressive production that unfortunately failed at the time. Perhaps too old fashioned for 70's audiences, but an artistic success that may have been better for PBS even though being a theatrical release gives this a bit more prominence, especially considering how gorgeous this must have looked on a big screen.

I personally enjoy this version of Shakespeare's play in film form. It's beautifully filmed, directed, edited, acted out, written and the costuming and the sets are lavish. I feel as if I am taken back to ancient Rome and Egypt, I am also taken back to my childhood.

I'm not sure why some have a disdain for it. Some seem to dislike Charlton Heston in this one. To me, he's just as good in this film as any of his other films. But each of us are entitled to have our on opinions about Heston and this film adaptation.

I personally feel this film is a worthy entry in to the epic historical drama realm. It's almost up there with Ben-hur and The Ten Commandments.

7.5/10