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)
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)
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)
Continuity mistake: While Cleopatra is in bed, Mark Antony orders her to talk to him. She rises up slightly and holds her head. An instant cut later, she is lying on the bed again. (02:12:49)
Factual error: A large golden modern mechanical table clock is visible next to Mark Antony, centuries before it was invented. In ancient Egypt, they used sundials and water clocks. (02:31:55)
Continuity mistake: When Mark Antony finds Rufio's dead body, the way he holds his sword changes between shots. (03:29:28)
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)
Continuity mistake: Mark Antony lies next to Cleopatra and asks for a kiss while she holds his jawbone. A shot later, her hand is under his chin. (03:40:20)
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.
Continuity mistake: Mark Antony walks in the site where Cleopatra's tomb is being built. He wears a soldier's uniform and she a red gown, purple robe and a short wig. She walks five steps forward and suddenly they're in a completely different place: both in her bedroom, she wearing now a dreadlock wig, white dress and transparent robe, while he is resting on a couch dressed in red civilian clothes. She walks offscreen and a shot later she has yet another wig, another dress, different belt and black robe.
Suggested correction: It creatively shows how long their ongoing passionate argument continues through the day, with changes in the time of day, location, and attire; done with three separate, consecutive scenes, signifying time jump transitions. First, it's daytime when Mark Antony joins Cleopatra at her tomb's construction; they argue, and she walks away. With the next transition, it's later in the day; they still argue in a different location and attire, then she walks away. The last transition is another jump in time; it's evening, with Cleopatra now in her nighttime attire, as their argument has been going strong all day.
Revealing mistake: During the naval battle, when the round catapult projectiles fall in the water, they float, revealing themselves to be lightweight props.
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.
Visible crew/equipment: When Cleopatra enters Rome sitting on top of the platform pulled by the slaves, you can see the head of the guy driving it through a small window in the front.
Continuity mistake: When Cleopatra lies dead, the position of her hands and the cane she holds change three times.
Continuity mistake: After Cleopatra is unrolled out of the rug, her sandals swap to high-heeled shoes.
Revealing mistake: When Cleopatra rolls out of the rug, one can see it's Elizabeth Taylor's stunt double, who has a bigger and stronger build.
Continuity mistake: When the doctor explains to Cleopatra what epilepsy is, the white cloth on the box next to him disappears between shots.
