BBC Television Shakespeare:

BBC Television Shakespeare: Antony and Cleopatra

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Octavius Caesar (later known as Augustus), Mark Antony, and Lepidus form a triumvirate to rule the Roman Empire. Antony will rule in the east and goes to Egypt, where he becomes the lover of Queen Cleopatra. When Pompey raises an army to fight the triumvirate, Antony returns to Rome and marries Caesar's sister, Octavia. Cleopatra becomes jealous and plans to win Antony back. Caesar breaks a deal with Pompey and defeats him. Antony sends Octavia home to Rome and goes back to Cleopatra, and in Egypt he raises an army and a navy to fight Caesar. Antony's forces lose a critical sea battle when Cleopatra's ship flees. Antony hears Cleopatra has committed suicide and falls on his own sword. Cleopatra is taken prisoner and kills herself.

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Director:: Jonathan Miller

Recurring Role:: Anthony Pedley (Agrippa)

Guest Star:: Alec Sabin (Decertas); David Neal (Proculeius); Lynn Farleigh (Octavia); Janet Key (Charmian); Cassie McFarlane (Iras); Howard Goorney (Soothsayer); Jimmy Gardner (Clown); Pat Connell (Soldier); Iain Rattray (Soldier); Frederick Warder (Soldier); Michael Egan (Soldier); David Kincaid (Messenger); Kevin Huckstep (Messenger); Michael Anthony (Messenger); Jon Rumney (Attendant); Hugh Lund (Attendant); Christopher Ettridge (Scarus); Jonathan Adams (I) (Ventidius); Mohammad Shamsi (Mardian); Jane Lapotaire (Cleopatra); Colin Blakely (Antony); Ian Charleson (Caesar); Emrys James (Enobarbus); Esmond Knight (Lepidus); Donald Sumpter (Pompeius); Simon Chandler (Eros); Geoffrey Collins (Dolabella); Harry Waters (Thyreas); George Innes (Menas); Desmond Stokes (Menecrates); John Paul (Canidius); Richard Clifford (Silius); George Howe (Euphrenius); Darien Angadi (Alexas); John Eastham (Servant)

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During a London production of the play in the 1890s, Sarah Bernhardt was in good form as Cleopatra. She stabbed the slave who brought the news of Mark Antony's marriage to Octavia, stormed, raved, frothed at the mouth, threw furniture, and finally dropped into a writhing heap on the floor. In the stunned hush which followed, an elderly lady was heard to say to her friend "How different, how very different, to the home life of our own dear Queen!" edit »
Length: 171 minutes edit »