I mean, OK, you go to see whatever version of Antony and Cleopatra you prefer on stage, but you get words, beautiful words. This movie gives you stagy pointing and pontificating, but long stretches of people speaking and staring, but not enough title cards. I don't doubt this would have been a huge hit in the early days of motion pictures. It's a commendable early effort.
Gotta mention the soundtrack. Mute it when the credits are ending and there's all those bongos and all that moaning. But put the sound back on after 2-3 minutes. It's actually a very effective and, at times, moving soundtrack that enhances the experience. When the terrible singing kicks in again, mute it. I barely remember Chantal Krappycrazy as a one-hit piano-tinkling yodeler and her performance here didn't make me want to rush out and find her CDs.
Review of Cleopatra
