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
The Banquet of Cleopatra who painted three versions of the subject in the early 18th century (two are in the Getty Center and Bayreuth, Germany). In both the Italian and northern traditions the subject fitted well into existing genres showing lavish dining, with the added attraction of making a more prestigious history painting with an impeccable and exotic classical origin. It often formed part of cycles on Antony and Cleopatra with other subjects including the "Meeting of Cleopatra and Mark Anthony", the "Death of Cleopatra", and sometimes her meetings with Julius Caesar and Octavian. The Banquet of Cleopatra The Banquet of Cleopatra is the