Cleopatra

Factual error: The Forum shown in the film is smaller than in real life. Also, Cleopatra is shown passing through the Arch of Constantine, a monument that was built centuries after her death.

Factual error: The Roman legionaries are using armor and shields first used over a century later, and there are no transverse crests to mark the many centurions that would have been in each unit.

Factual error: Cleopatra's barge shows that it has linoleum flooring. However, much marble would have sunk the barge because of its weight.

Deliberate mistake: In order to get to Julius Caesar and evade her nasty brother Ptolemy's assassins, Cleopatra concealed herself in a rug that she has a slave carry to Caesar. Look at the furled rug the slave carries on his shoulder. Then watch Cleopatra fall out as the slave tosses the rug to the floor and unfurls it. The slave would have needed wall-to-wall carpeting to hide her.

Continuity mistake: When Cleopatra and Caesar meet for the first time, Caesar takes a piece of fruit to his mouth. But in the next shot, his arm is by his side even though there was no time for him to put it down. (00:22:15)

Cleopatra mistake picture

Visible crew/equipment: After Apollodorus tells Cleopatra the disturbing news from the city, of the frightened people and hundreds of notices, when Cleopatra adds, "Signed by Octavian...promising the Egyptian people peace," the overhead boom mic casts a shadow that moves up on the wall, at the upper right side of the screen. (03:33:20)

Super Grover

Revealing mistake: When Caesar's ship arrives in the Alexandria marketplace, he tells his men to "go marketing" rather than force their way through the crowd with swords. Rufio says "you're not serious?" He then silently mouths along with Caesar's reply, "We shall shop our way to the palace steps." (00:11:30)

Cleopatra mistake picture

Revealing mistake: The first panoramic shot of Alexandria has a realistic matte painting on the horizon and background, except for the rocks and trees on the left, which are a blatant flat painting. (00:06:25)

Sacha

Continuity mistake: When Mark Antony is crowned emperor, there is a man perpendicular to him, inches away, holding a cushion. A shot later, he is half a metre behind, yet now he stands parallel to Mark Antony. The shot changes, and he is back in the previous position.

Sacha

Cleopatra mistake picture

Revealing mistake: During the naval battle, when the round catapult projectiles fall in the water, they float, revealing themselves to be lightweight props.

Sacha

Agrippa: Well versed in the natural sciences and mathematics. She speaks seven languages proficiently. Were she not a woman one would consider her to be an intellectual.

More quotes from Cleopatra

Trivia: The film was to have run six hours with two intermissions, but it was cut down to four with one.

bobmcdow4984

More trivia for Cleopatra

Question: During Rex Harrison's entire performance as Julius Caesar his arms and legs are covered by garments underneath his military garb and robes, even while in Egypt. The other Romans as would be expected have bare legs and arms. Was Harrison suffering from some skin condition or was he too shy or embarrassed of his limbs to show them in the film?

Answer: The people of higher rank would usually have more or better armor so in his case that would probably be extra armor for his legs and arms.

More questions & answers from Cleopatra

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