| Edition |
5 Star Collection |
| Chapters |
52 |
| Release Date |
12/3/2001 |
| Packaging |
Custom Case |
| Screen Ratio |
2.35:1 |
| Subtitles |
English; Spanish |
| Audio Tracks |
ENGLISH: Dolby Digital 5.1 [CC]
ENGLISH: Dolby Digital Surround [CC]
FRENCH: Dolby Digital Surround
|
| Layers |
Single Side, Dual Layer |
| No. of Disks/Tapes |
1 |
|
| Purchase Date |
4/3/2001 |
| Owner |
Thomas Eisenmann |
| Store |
Best Buy |
| Purchase Price |
$19.95 |
| Condition |
Excellent |
| Reviewed |
Widescreen Review
|
| Bit Rate |
448 KB |
| Anamophic |
Yes |
| Links |
IMDB
|
|
Anamophic
|
The Five Star Collection Cleopatra disc, with that seizure-inducing shimmery rainbow cover, consists of three discs: The 249-minute movie itself takes up two, dual-layer discs, and a third disc houses the extras which consist of a new documentary, a 1960s featurette, Movietone News Premier’s and trailers, and a photo gallery. The third disc is inserted into a pocket on the heavy paper stock production notes booklet that is tucked inside the box. Unfortunately, in the package we bought (We had to make the purchase because Fox sent us the movie on two DVD discs, but included the documentary on VHS...minus, I believe, the other extras), the disc must have been inserted into the pocket before the glue was dry. The result? Our special features disc is smeared with glue and much of it is unplayable. I think it is safe to assume that there are more Five Star Collections on the shelves in the same condition.
However, here’s what I was able to see: Cleopatra: The Film That Changed Hollywood is117 minutes of background on the Fox studio, events that led up to the decision to tell the story of Queen Cleopatra and her men friends yet again (it had been committed to film about half-a-dozen times before, beginning in 1912), Elizabeth Taylor’s scandalous personal life and notoriously poor health, the enormous efforts that went in to the construction of the elaborates sets, the huge army of extras, and...that’s where the glue took over. I am certain that this documentary will hold many people’s interest much longer than the film that nearly brought Fox studio to its knees. I know I intend to watch the rest of it, at home, on my VHS.
The 1963 Movietone News featurette, The Fourth Star Of Cleopatra, focuses on the massive sets and scenery used in the movie. To be sure, they dwarf even the bright stars of Taylor, Richard Burton, and Rex Harrison. Movietone clips are always tremendously fun nostalgia pieces and this one is no exception. And I was able to see the whole thing.
But wait, there are two more Movietone News items: The East and West Coast Premieres—so cool! I found myself wondering if Lucille Ball, Chuck Conners, Rosalind Russell or any of the other luminaries at the West Coast Premiere were smiling as radiantly as they staggered out to their waiting cars after the lengthy show. You’ll also receive six theatrical trailers, including one in Portuguese, in this segment of the disc.
The fourth element of this disc is the Still Gallery segment with subjects ranging from costume concepts, exhibitors campaign book, billboard art, British lobby cards, International poster campaigns, and excerpts from the original theatre program. Not bad for twenty-seven gold coins, eh? (Laurie Sevano) |
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Special Notes:
Note that the exit music was inadvertently left off of the end of the movie. Fox will reissue, and those with the original sets may exchange them through Fox. Call 888 223 2369 to arrange a replacement copy.
Story Synopsis:
Based upon histories by Plutarch, Suetonius, Appian, other ancient sources, and The Life And Times Of Cleopatra by C.M. Franzero, the bigger-than-life story of Cleopatra comes to DVD in a big three-disc set. Taking over five years to make at a cost of sixty million and nearly sending its studio, 20th Century Fox, into bankruptcy, the story revolves around the history of Queen Cleopatra (Taylor), who, after being exiled from the palace by her weirdo brother Ptolemy (O’Sullivan), looks for assistance-and some lovin’-from Marc Antony. Ah, go on...give Cleopatra a tumble. Only one out of the twenty friends, coworkers, and family I polled had seen the movie all the way through. The movie won five Oscars®: Cinematography (color), Art Direction (color), Costume Design (color), and Special Effects (Can you believe that this movie beat out Hitchcock’s The Birds?! Only in Hollywood.).
Let’s face it, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and the cast of thousands were not the stars of this film. That honor goes to the sets. Massive structures were erected, elaborate palace interiors that often reminded me of a 1960s Beverly Hills backyard barbeque...especially that cow’s head pool umbrella in Chapter Seven. And those costumes.... Wow! Some of those donned by Taylor, I’m afraid reminded me not of ancient history, but of scenes from a Hudson/Day sexy romance romp like Send Me No Flowers. Personally, I found Cleopatra to be a complete hoot, and I’m quite certain the filmmakers had not intended for their audience to be laughing uproariously at their historical epic. They lost me when, in the opening moments of the film, I was unable to understand a word that Burton (as Antony) was saying to his army. To be sure, however, I was not laughing at the sets, rather my jaw had dropped to my knees. How did they do all that, I wondered. And how come I wasn’t around to be an extra lounging on the steps of the Egyptian palace, and how come Martin Landau’s breast plates are so much “bustier” than everybody elses? (Laurie Sevano)
DVD Picture:
The anamorphically enhanced 2.35:1 DVD features a THX digitally mastered picture that exhibits nicely saturated colors that are well defined overall, though some scenes appear a bit smeared. The obvious sets make for a slightly flat appearance. Edge enhancement can be quite prominent at times, but many scenes are smooth and free from the distraction. Pixelization occasionally makes its way into the picture; and fine details on some of the guards’ costumes and Cleopatra’s headdresses create minor problems. There are few source element artifacts noticed, and film grain is minimal. For a picture that is nearing its 40th anniversary, image quality should surely please. (Suzanne Hodges)
Soundtrack:
The soundtrack, in Dolby® Digital 5.1, is a remarkable restoration and remastering effort in which the music provides for a pleasing, engrossing sense of envelopment and spaciousness. There is some low-end noticed with the music which could have been augmented as part of the soundtrack re-purposing, but nonetheless is rich sounding and palpable. The audio has been presented with notable clarity and sparkle, though also with inherent distortion. The dialogue is characteristically directional across the screen, and voices exhibit clarity, albeit with tonality that is limited by the dated recording. Background hiss is quite low, noticeable but generally not objectionable. The surrounds dramatically come alive with the music, and sound effects in general are modestly spread across the screen, except for directionalized effects and a few moments with surround envelopment. There is ample .1 LFE activity, primarily with the music but sometimes with effects as well. This is a well-restored, nicely re-purposed soundtrack that should be most pleasing with the music but also entertaining in general. (Perry Sun)
This Disc Contains The Following WSR-Rated Superb Qualities:
Collector Edition
