CLEOPATRA (1963)

Original 20th Century Fox Roadshow 3 Sheet Poster (41x81) for the Joseph L. Mankiewicz historical epic, CLEOPATRA (1963) starring Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and Rex Harrison. Originally this film was supposed to be two three hour movies—the first dealing with Caesar and Cleopatra and the second with Antony and Cleopatra. But Fox, reeling from the exorbitant cost overruns associated with this budgetary debacle, decided to release one four hour movie instead. The result of this unfortunate decision is a spectacular film - spectacular in a way that digital effects cannot hope to match - with a less than satisfying narrative. Elizabeth Taylor's original contract stipulated that she was to be paid $1 million. But after a lengthy $50 million lawsuit brought by the studio against Burton and Taylor and then a countersuit by Taylor, the studio finally settled with the actress for $7 million. This original three sheet poster is in near mint condition. It has been expertly linen backed and the Dutch censor stamp left visible. Art by Howard Terpning --the original art by Terpning was auctioned in 2011 for over $100,000.00.