It is hard to separate Liz Taylor from Cleopatra or Cleopatra from Liz Taylor; the two legends have pretty much melded into one gorgeous force to be reckoned with. Darryl Zanuck’s 1963 epic is every bit as famous for its leading lady as it is for its stunning overindulgence — a whopping 4 hours of gilded glory rivaled by none. Cancel your dinner date, grab a box of wine and stuff your face with popcorn. You have a long, campy night ahead of you. — Amy M.
1. Brass Ram Head, $75; 2. Black Mission Figs; 3. Gold Coin Bracelet, $101; 4. Shanhanz Husain Kohl Eyeliner, $8; 5. Vintage Wheat Table Lamp, $2800; 6. Bastet Cat Statue, $6; 7. Beaded Gladiator Sandals, $39; 8. Vintage Brass Chalice, $19; 9. Antique Egyptian Revival Chair, $6450; 10. Sequin Pillow, $325
The next set of stills and the second roundup continue after the jump . . .
I can’t hold it against Liz that her performance is complete fiction (this book provides a more accurate account of Egypt’s last pharaoh), but as long as we’re indulging in Fantasy Land, I wouldn’t turn up my nose at one of Liz’s chiffon gowns or an armload of 1960s Egyptian-revival accessories. And Mark Antony? Don’t mind if I do.
1. Halston Heritage Pleated Dress, $1328; 2. Emilio Pucci Snake Bracelet, $690; 3. Gold Feather Tray, $45; 4. Antique Painted Brooch, $685; 5. Gold Corset Tray, $325; 6. Vintage Armchair, $1995; 7. Square Fire Bowl, $129; 8. Gold-Plated Coin Necklace, $240; 9. Lotus Flower Dish, $24+; 10. Brass Serving Cup, $40
15 Comments
I remember seeing this movie when I was a teenager and desperately wanting a boat for my bathtub. A fabulous gold boat, to be exact. And lots of gold jewelry to go with it. Thanks for reminding me! I think I may need to get on those goals now :)
Nothing tempts me to get a Netflix account more than these Living In posts! How have I missed so many classic movies over the years?
OMG! Well, FiNaLlY!!!!
Quite the time investment to watch Cleopatra! So glad to see a new “Living In:” post. I was literally gushing to my boyfriend last night about how wonderful these are to read!
Beautiful!!!! I adore this classic… I strongly feel somewhere there is a little feel of Cleopatra in every woman, a little desire of exotic charm. Thanks for this wonderful post.
Love all the gold – a few years ago, if you would have predicted that I’d be saying this, I would have said you were waaay off. But here I am loving gold!!!
Oh my goodness this post is right up my alley! I am an aspiring Egyptologist and my apartment is Egypt-themed (classy, not campy lol). I just love your round-up, so elegant and in-touch with the ideas of the film.
This is one of my favourite films. I’ve been trying to get that eyeliner look since I was 15 years old. Amazing looks in every single scene. Timeless.
So I have a request. Isadora, a 1968 movie starring Vanessa Redgrave. Can’t find it on Netflix, but I vividly recall it from its first showing and the sets were magnificent, Vanessa was magnificent. The end of the film showed Isadora’s waning days in Italy, she had an apartment where her bed was a huge pile of pillows festooned with draperies.
Look at that face! (She was only 31 at the time). This movie would certainly inspire the early 60′s to move on from its lingering 50′s POV.
Ahh, Cleopatra….WHAT a movie! I was entranced by this movie when I saw it as a kid. My favourite parts:
♦ When she is on the river, and being rowed around on that big barge, covered in rose petals!
♦ Also when she gets unceremoniously rolled out of the oriental carpet!
♦ Strangely, the last scene with the figs & the asp…
The costumes, the gilt, the coin necklaces….the Egyptian symbols of Horus & Anubis everywhere……..le sigh………….
Thank you! Now I have to go find it somewhere….
Heidi
nice! I’ve always wanted Cleopatra hair ;)
Love her in this, and love this “Living In.” I have a feeling the Go Fug Yourself girls are going to have a field day. Also, how incredibly sassy is Liz in this movie?! She gives more crazy eyes expressions than she has wardrobe changes, and it is amazing.
I am in love with this series you have. It is making me all emotional every time a new film is featured. I am a film buff!
As a romantic and a film lover, how could not I love this series? I have 3 of my own suggestions for featured films you haven’t done yet: Under The Tuscan Sun, Almost Famous, and Pandora and the Flying Dutchman.
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