Cleopatra (1963 film) the only film ever to be the highest-grossing film of the year to run at a loss. It received nine nominations at the 36th Academy Awards including for Best Picture and won the highest four : Best Production Design (Color), Best Cinematography (Color), Best Visual Effects and Best Costume Design (Color). After the Battle of Pharsalus in 48 BC, Julius Caesar (Rex Harrison) goes to Egypt, under the pretext of being named the executor of the will of the young Pharaoh Ptolemy XIII (Richard O'Sullivan) and his sister Cleopatra (Elizabeth Taylor)'s father. Cleopatra convinces Caesar to restore her throne from
Cleopatra (1963 film) Caesarion as his official heir, and angrily returns to Egypt. While planning a campaign against Parthia in the east, Antony realizes he needs money and supplies, and cannot get enough from anywhere but Egypt. After refusing several times to leave Egypt, Cleopatra gives in and meets him in Tarsus. The two begin a love affair, with Cleopatra assuring Anthony that he is much more than a pale reflection of Caesar. Octavian's removal of Lepidus forces Anthony to return to Rome, where he marries Octavian's sister, Octavia, to prevent conflict, much to Cleopatra's distraughtness and enragement. Anthony and Cleopatra reconcile and