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| A different kind of epic |
Who hasn’t
heard of 20th Century Fox’s epic Cleopatra? Sliding the scandal of
Taylor and Burton to one side, the film documents the relationship between Cleopatra,
Julius Caesar, and Mark Antony.
Inevitably Rome
was going to make a guest appearance. A life-size replica of the Arco di Costantino (Arch of Constantine) was constructed and Cleopatra progressed through
it and onwards to the Forum. Sadly, the real arch was constructed in AD 315 –
more than 350 years after Cleopatra’s arrival. Never mind, it’s a good scene –
it should be as it almost bankrupted the studio. And when did historical accuracy get in the way of a good entrance,
especially that of Cleopatra herself?
