Now Available on Blu-Ray from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment -- CLEOPATRA 50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION, Starring Elizabeth Taylor - Review and #Giveaway

Disclosure: I was sent a review copy from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  The views shared are mine and mine alone.

Buy now from Amazon for only $16.99

"In honor of the iconic film’s 50th anniversary, the 243-minute premiere version of CLEOPATRA has been meticulously restored and presented on Blu-ray for a stunning high definition in-home viewing experience. Artfully packaged with a full-color book featuring rare images from the making of the film, the 2-disc Blu-ray edition is packed with dazzling bonus materials featuring never-before-seen exclusive content including Cleopatra’s lost footage, commentary from Chris Mankiewicz, Tom Mankiewicz, Martin Landau and Jack Brodsky, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and more.

Directed by Academy Award winner Joseph L. Mankiewicz, the historical epic shot on 70mm film was the highest grossing film of 1963, bringing in more than $24 million in its initial release. The film cost an unprecedented $42 million to make (equivalent to over $300 million today) and nearly bankrupted Twentieth Century Fox.  In addition to elaborate sets and costumes, production delays and the relocation of principal filming from London to Rome added to the skyrocketing budget. A very public love affair between Taylor and Burton that blossomed during the three-year production meant that there was as much romance and intrigue off-screen as on-screen.  The film later won four Academy Awards, and was nominated for five more, including Best Picture.

The opulence and grandeur of this epic spectacle has never been more glorious, as it comes to Blu-ray for the very first time. This 2-Disc 50th Anniversary Edition includes a collectible book that provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the making of this legendary film."

CLEOPATRA Blu-ray Features:

Disc 1

• Cleopatra Through The Ages: A Cultural History
• Cleopatra’s Missing Footage
• Fox Movie Channel presents Fox Legacy with Tom Rothman
• Commentary with Chris Mankiewicz, Tom Mankiewicz, Martin Landau and Jack Brodsky
• The Cleopatra Papers: A Private Correspondence

Disc 2

• Cleopatra: The Film That Changed Hollywood
• The Fourth Star of Cleopatra
• Fox Movietone News
• Archival Footage of the New York Premiere
• Archival Footage of the Hollywood Premiere
• Commentary with Chris Mankieqicz, Tom Mankiewicz, Martin Landau and Jack Brodsky
• Theatrical Trailers

---

My Thoughts:

I first fell in love with Elizabeth Taylor, the actress, when I saw her acting alongside James Dean and Rock Hudson in Giant.  At the time, I was only 10 years old when I saw this movie on VHS, but became an instant fan of James Dean and Elizabeth Taylor.  

I was blown away by their acting abilities, and how they really make their characters come alive.  Even though I was young at the time, I knew that these were actors that were "great."  So, from that point on, I made a point to watch all the other movies these two actors were in, including Cleopatra, starring Elizabeth Taylor.  And, looking back now, I can't say that I have found actors who are still alive today that owned the screen like these two legends did.  And, just the other day, I was waiting with so many other Elizabeth Taylor fans for the CLEOPATRA 50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION Blu-ray to come out.  I can't tell you how many times I have watched Cleopatra over the years, but each and every time, I am awe-struck, and entertained from start to finish.  To me, this is Elizabeth Taylor's standout role, and one that she is most known for.  

Don't worry, I will not bore you with a review of the movie, as it has been reviewed so many times.  I will, however, share how amazing this new anniversary edition is in how it is digitally restored and presented in a way never seen before.  The picture and sound are so crisp, that I found myself picking up on different scenes and background objects, that I didn't remember seeing before.

And, if that was enough, this 2-disc anniversary edition also includes some amazing bonus features, including commentaries, archival footage of the Hollywood premiere and well as missing footage.  Prior to watching the high definition Blu-ray version of this classic film, which garnered 4 Academy Awards, I made a point to watch each and every bonus feature, that is included on the two discs.  I loved learning more about the background of the story, as well as saw how this movie changed Hollywood.  The bonus features alone make this new Blu-ray release worth picking up.  Even if you are on not a fan of Elizabeth Taylor or have had the chance to see Cleopatra in the past, you should really make a point to pick up this anniversary edition to watch.  You will not be disappointed!  

--GIVEAWAY--

Two (2) lucky readers will win a Blu-ray copy of CLEOPATRA 50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION, thanks to the folks at Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.  To enter, please complete the entries on the Rafflecopter form below.  Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was sent a review copy from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  The views shared are mine and mine alone.