Cleopatra (1934) - Movie Stills and Screencaps at Cinematic Freeze

1934 • Cecil B. DeMille • 1.37:1 • Jump to Gallery ↓

This pre-Code historical epic, directed by Cecil B. DeMille and starring Claudette Colbert as the legendary Egyptian queen, is a dramatisation of Cleopatra’s strategic romances and political manoeuvres with the Roman leaders Julius Caesar and Marc Antony, as she fights to maintain Egypt’s sovereignty against the advancing power of the Roman Empire. The film recounts Cleopatra’s strategic romances and political intrigues with Roman leaders Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, as she attempts to protect Egypt’s sovereignty.

True to DeMille’s reputation for epic spectacle, the film’s focus is on visual opulence and high drama rather than historical accuracy. Although it is set in ancient times, its aesthetic is heavily influenced by the Art Deco movement of the 1930s. This is most obvious in the famous ‘Barge Scene‘, with its elaborate choreography, exotic animals, and provocative costume designs by Travis Banton. Showcasing the evolution from the silent era’s grandiosity, the film incorporates the sophisticated dialogue of the early sound period, utilising grand sets and thousands of extras to create a sense of overwhelming scale.

While Cleopatra is far from being a historically accurate biography, it illustrates 1930s Hollywood’s fascination with power, gender and glamour. By portraying the queen as a witty, modern strategist who uses her sexuality as a political tool, the film challenged the era’s gender norms just before the Hays Code was strictly enforced.

Technical Specs:

The Story: A young Cleopatra secures her throne through political cunning and seduction, shaping alliances with Julius Caesar and later Mark Antony as she maneuvers to preserve her power over Egypt.
Actors: Claudette Colbert, Warren William, Henry Wilcoxon, Joseph Schildkraut, Ian Keith.
Director: Cecil B. DeMille
Year: 1934
Cinematographer: Victor Milner
Origin: American Cinema
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Genre: Historical Drama