Film Analysis: Modern Representations Of Cleopatra

Choose one of the modern representations of Cleopatra in film or TV presented in the module materials. How far is this consistent with the Roman depictions of her in Book 1, Chapter 1?
Both the 1963 film and Roman depictions demonstrate that Cleopatra created an extravagant spectacle of herself. She wore elaborate outfits and put on exotic displays of wealth.
The passage from (Scott-Kilvert, 1965, p.25: Plutarch’s Life of Antony), describes Cleopatra arriving to Cicilian to meet Antony, ‘in a barge with a poop of gold, its purple sails billowing in the wind’. Plutarch describes Cleopatra dressed as Venus, surrounded by a beautiful female crew, rich perfume wafting and music playing. The 1963 film is consistent with the account of Cleopatra’s extravagance when arriving into Cicilian, showing an almost exact representation of the scene Plutarch describes. Throughout the film Cleopatra dresses elaborately with exotic scenery surrounding her. When comparing Cleopatra’s image in the film to the Roman sources, there is very little or no difference in how she displayed herself.
‘Her own beauty, so we are told was not that incomparable kind which instantly captivates the beholder’. (Scott-Kilvert, 1965, p.294: Plutarch’s Life of Antony) He puts it down to strong character and the way she held herself rather than looks. (Scott-Kilvert, 1987 pp. 52-55 Augustus on Cleopatra 1.1), talks about Antony being bewitched. Plutarch remarks – ‘Cleopatra was capable of casting a spell over men’. (Scott-Kilvert, 1965, p.294: Plutarch’s Life of Antony)These images are in clear contrast to the film where Cleopatra is portrayed by Elizabeth Taylor, the glamorous Hollywood actress, with beauty being a strong theme throughout. Example, when Cleopatra meets with Antony he remarks, - ‘after three years it is possible that you have become even more beautiful’. (Cleopatra