CAESAR AND CLEOPATRA

UK, 1946, 136 minutes, Colour.
Claude Rains, Vivien Leigh, Stewart Granger.
Directed by Gabriel Pascal.

Caesar and Cleopatra was a lavish British production made at the end of World War Two. It is said that it almost made the British industry bankrupt. It was not exactly a commercial success. Hungarian writer-director Gabriel Pascal had the permission of George Bernard Shaw to adapt his plays for the screen. He had been eminently successful in the late 30s with Pygmalion co-directed with Leslie Howard, its star. He had some success also with Major Barbara in 1941. He seems to have over-reached himself in the production of the present play. He was to make yet another Shaw adaptation of Androcles and the Lion in 1951.

This film was noted for its lavish sets and stars. Claude Rains gives an interesting performance as Caesar. Vivien Leigh, capitalising on her beauty as well as her acting ability, is an impressive Cleopatra. Stewart Granger leads a strong supporting British cast. The film gives an opportunity for audiences to appreciate the imagination and wit of George Bernard Shaw as well as his sardonic interpretation of history.

1. The quality of this film, audience interest in Bernard Shaw, his interpretation of old classic situations and plays, the comment on modern society, the acid quality of the dialogue?

2. The film as an example of post-war British big-budgeting? The quality of the production, sets and costumes, colour etc.?

3. Was it evident that the film was based on a stage play? The strength of the dialogue, its satirical and critical overtones? The sets and the confinement to particular places? The scope of the film?

4. A comparison with typical Roman-Egyptian? spectacles?

5. The allegory of relationships? The relationships between men and women? The allegory of power, society, wealth and intrigue? How does Shaw's play presuppose attitudes towards the main characters and then criticised the romantic attitudes? The social interpretation, the socialist interpretation?

6. The picture of Egypt in chaos. Ptolemy and his inability to rule. Cleopatra and her wilfulness, the self-interest of the Egyptian court? The murder of Pompey, the fear of Caesar, fear and superstition in religion, the pride of the Egyptians? How was this summed up in the opening sequence?

7. The film's focus on Cleopatra? A sympathetic portrayal? Her presentation as young and wilful, her feminine wiles and fears, her capacity for loving Caesar, supporting him? Her pride, status as a queen, her fickleness, her playing with power? Her attitudes towards life and death? Was this a character study, how much a caricature, how much realism? As revealed through her dialogue?

8. The contrast with Caesar: an old man, Roman dignity, a strong warrior and Emperor? The irony of his initial encounter with the Sphinx and Cleopatra? His playing with her. using her for his power? His learning about Egypt from her? His coaching her into being an Empress, using this for his own power basis? What insight into the character of Caesar, his military career, his power, his ambition?

9. What was the basis of the relationship between the two? Caesar giving strength to Cleopatra, Caesar fascinated by Cleopatra? The success of their rule?

10. The picture of intrigues amongst the Egyptian court? The various personalities involved? Their inability to overcome Caesar?

11. The significance of the sieges and the battles? Their importance for rule in Egypt?

12. The character of Ftatateeta? Her dominance over Cleopatra, atmosphere of being a witch, her being put in her place by Cleopatra, her helping Cleopatra and Caesar? As symbolising the primitive Egyptians? The way that these were staged?

13. Porthinus as representing the sophisticated Egyptians? His role in the court, influence over Ptolemy, taste for intrigue, his plotting, especially with Caesar? His treachery and being the victim of Cleopatra?

14. How humorous was the satire on the British through the character of Britannus?

15. What did the character of Appolodorus add to the film? An aspect of glamour and modern young hero? His work with carpets, his conveying Cleopatra, his heroics, diving into the water, his reappearance at the end?

16. Comment on the contribution of the minor characters as typical characters from a Shaw play, the dialogue, their contribution to the plot?

17. How well did the film explore classical issues, modern issues in classical form?