Random Richard Burton Post...
Thursday, 15 January 2004 23:26![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
apollaAm watching the second half of Cleopatra (my favourite bit) for the first time in ages and ages.
I LOVE Richard Burton so very much in this picture. When he asks Octavian why he brought Agrippa (a naval man) to the battle and says:
"The battle was fought on land between men not great lumps on water bumping on water. Why did you bring Agrippa- were you expecting rain?"
"Have you an objection to Agrippa remaining?"
"I object to Agrippa at all times."
All said with such charm and brilliance that I don't understand why people still insist on calling that arrogant old ham Olivier the greatest ever British actor.
Cleopatra is known less for its greatness as an epic motion picture than its controversial behind-the-scenes shenanigans, but the second half of the film, once Caesar is dead, is a fabulous film. Glorious in its scale, it also has beauty in the love story between Cleopatra and Antony that I at least, believe in the love that led both to die rather than live without the other. (and some not-so-subtle signals that they're tearing each other apart before that- Antony's descent into drunken sot, for example).
And there is only one reason for this: Richard Burton.
I LOVE Richard Burton so very much in this picture. When he asks Octavian why he brought Agrippa (a naval man) to the battle and says:
"The battle was fought on land between men not great lumps on water bumping on water. Why did you bring Agrippa- were you expecting rain?"
"Have you an objection to Agrippa remaining?"
"I object to Agrippa at all times."
All said with such charm and brilliance that I don't understand why people still insist on calling that arrogant old ham Olivier the greatest ever British actor.
Cleopatra is known less for its greatness as an epic motion picture than its controversial behind-the-scenes shenanigans, but the second half of the film, once Caesar is dead, is a fabulous film. Glorious in its scale, it also has beauty in the love story between Cleopatra and Antony that I at least, believe in the love that led both to die rather than live without the other. (and some not-so-subtle signals that they're tearing each other apart before that- Antony's descent into drunken sot, for example).
And there is only one reason for this: Richard Burton.
