MovieChat Forums > Antony and Cleopatra (1972) Discussion > Why isnt this on DVD?

Why isnt this on DVD?

posted 17 years ago by holt-lover
6 replies | jump to latest

I'd like to see this movie without having to buy an old VHS tape and borrow a VCR. If its as good as Heston's Julius Caesar, then its worth watching, especially since its the only real film version of the play. I found the Spanish DVD of this under the name Marco Antonio y Cleopatra but the run time is 133 min, and the VHS in the U.S. is 160 min. Anybody know what the Spanish version is like? Don't want to spend $30 for a R2 Pal DVD- not sure if I could get it to work on my computer.

[–] Xlegion 16 years ago

Totally agree. This is a hidden gem and I know that a couple of years ago there was a rumor going round that Fraser Heston was involved in a restoration of this great film.

At first I had to get used to Hildegard Neil's interpretation of Cleopatra but after a few viewings she grows on you. Antony wasn't the kind of man that was going to be interested in a fainting violet and her "Cleopatra" is far from that.

A plea to release this film restored, wide screen on dvd!

[–] politicon2003 15 years ago

I am just watching an excellent quality DVD version of this movie. However, I didn't buy it from a store it came free in a cardboard sleeve with a Greek (Athens) Newspaper"Vima" today. I checked on Amazon.com which is normally a good source but they don't have it but it must be available somewhere. It has been beautifully digitalised in crystal clear colours, unusual for movies produced in the 1970s which normally have a brownish tone.

[–] tracyfigueira 15 years ago

I'd be interested in seeing it. I love Charlton Heston (the actor, that is). I remember his Marc Antony in Julius Caesar, and of course he was great in Ben Hur and The Ten Commandments--he had the gravitas necessary for those kinds of heroic roles, which is hard to come by (Kirk Douglas never seemed quite comfortable as Spartacus)!
My choice for a contemporary Antony and Cleopatra
Marc Antony--Russell Crowe or Clive Owen
Cleopatra--Helena Bonham Carter (no contest!)
Just please Lord, not Brangelina! I'm so sick of those two!

[–] brianfitz 15 years ago

To anyone interested in this film. It is available on DVD on Ebay. Originally issued in Greece,it comes with greek subtitles (which of course can be turned off). Picture quality is very good,sound quality has the odd pop and crackle but is acceptable. The running time is quoted as 143 mins (the VHS in the U.S. quotes 160 mins). I have the CD of John Scott's marvellous score for this film and that features an overture. That overture, lasting nearly 9 and a half minutes, is not on this DVD unfortunately but that might possibly account for some of the shorter running time.

[–] sarastro7 13 years ago

This movie came out on an American region 1 DVD a few months ago. Previously it was put out on a Spanish DVD (region 2), and apparently there are other national release versions in other European countries, like Greece. So it's not hard to get hold of anylonger. I have both the Spanish and the new American discs. Only the American one has subtitles (the Spanish has two audio tracks, one English, one Spanish).

Come and gorge yourself on film: http://flickfeast.co.uk

[–] Mithrandir-Olorin33 12 years ago

Actually it's not a great adaptation, the dialogue is moved around and not even always said by the right character.

"When the chips are down... these Civilized people... will Eat each Other"