Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton star in this epic retelling of the life and loves of the Egyptian queen directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. Desperate to hold onto her throne in the face of Roman expansion, Cleopatra (Taylor) secures an alliance with Julius Caesar (Rex Harrison).

When Caesar is subsequently murdered, a vulnerable Cleopatra quickly turns her affections to popular Roman general Mark Antony (Burton). Although the relationship initially fares well, they cannot prevail against the forces of Caesar's heir Octavian (Roddy McDowall) and their love ultimately ends in tragedy. The cast also includes Kenneth Haigh, Cesare Danova and Martin Landau.