JParker
Second Unit
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2011
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- Real Name
- James Parker
I just found out about this thread. Does anyone here know if the lost footage exists? Martin Landau made an intriguing comment that it was found in his commentary recorded on the DVD. Whilst I suspect that Zanuck may have trashed the footage after he edited it, and it's truly lostfor all time, some stills and the script exists, enough so that an Internet based reconstruction was possible, via this link:
http://taylortribute.com/Elizabeth%20Taylor%20-%20Restored%20Cleopatra%20Main%20Page.html
An excerpt from page four by Mr. Harris:
http://taylortribute.com/Elizabeth%20Taylor%20-%20Restored%20Cleopatra%20page%2004.html
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/t/315932/a-few-words-about-my-fair-lady-in-blu-ray/270#post_3872482
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/t/53033/would-you-buy-a-cleopatra-directors-cut
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/t/53033/would-you-buy-a-cleopatra-directors-cut#post_515417
http://taylortribute.com/Elizabeth%20Taylor%20-%20Restored%20Cleopatra%20Main%20Page.html
An excerpt from page four by Mr. Harris:
http://taylortribute.com/Elizabeth%20Taylor%20-%20Restored%20Cleopatra%20page%2004.html
Mr. Harris was kind enough to reply to my off topic inquiry on the My Fair Lady Thread. He wrote:The old crone takes the rose and slowly breaks into a toothless grin. In sudden shyness, she holds her hand to her face and turns away. The crowd roars with laughter and approval. Caesar starts up the Palace steps. Rufio, not far away, grins admiringly and says to himself, "Hail, Caesar." [How many of you have a smile on your face right now? There are several such charming scenes and touches that reveal fascinating facets and motivations to the characters in the film, most, unfortunately, left on the "cutting room floor". For the critics who bemoan "Cleopatra" to be a "ponderous" film, this is a good example why. Much of the lightness and humor was cut, diminishing the contrast between "light and dark". From this scene of a charming, even flirtatious, Caesar (light), we would have gone directly to his being presented with the head of Pompey (dark). A perfect emotional yin and yang. Cut the "yang", and we are left with only the "yin" - no balance or contrast.] Caesar continues up the Palace steps to greet King Ptolemy. The scene continues as we see it. Pothinos says, "Cleopatra has forfeited her right". Caesar says, "I shall try to decide justly."
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/t/315932/a-few-words-about-my-fair-lady-in-blu-ray/270#post_3872482
And there's another thread here on Cleopatra:There have been a couple of searches for the Cleo footage. We did a script, daily continuity, camera log breakdown several years ago. We know what was shot, and what is missing. AFAIK, nothing has turned up.
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/t/53033/would-you-buy-a-cleopatra-directors-cut
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/t/53033/would-you-buy-a-cleopatra-directors-cut#post_515417
Can the upcoming U.K. Blu-ray play on U.S. equipment? Thanks!As a point of (very) general reference, there are many films which, when cut for time and not quality, seem much longer in their short versions than in their longer cuts. The most notorious cases probably being the 187 minute cut of Lawrence and the 161 of Spartacus.
Cleopatra would be a far superior film in its intended version.