Cleopatra (1963)

[Spiny Norman]

Like it or not, it was a landmark of epic proportions even if it spelled the end of its genre. But it certainly made a big impression, even if not always a positive one.
We now have a 4 hour version of this extravaganza, but has there been any news about the 6 hour version? Has the search been given up, or is there still hope? Perhaps it was lost in some vault fire since then?

That is, I'm assuming there really was a 6 hour version. Although I couldn't immediately guess what was in the extra two hours, I don't remember any loose ends for example.

A member once wrote here seeing it but that may not be 100% accurate (it may have been just the 4 hour version with a break or two, that may have felt like 6 hours).

[ClayKing]

This film is one of my favorites. The Blu-ray includes a short documentary about the "six hour version." Zanuck took the film away from Mankiewicz who was assembling the work print (his idea was two three-hour films). After a futile attempt to edit the film into something manageable Zanuck realized that only Mankiewicz would be able to supervise the editing and brought him back to complete what would be the final four hour version. The documentary explained that the 70mm elements occupied enormous storage space and the unused scenes, trims, and alternate takes were disposed of. The longer documentary included in the Blu-ray does include some deleted scenes that were found (without sound), such as some deleted scenes during the entry into Rome and from an early part of the film Cleopatra at her army's campsite.

[Spiny Norman]

This film is one of my favorites. The Blu-ray includes a short documentary about the "six hour version." Zanuck took the film away from Mankiewicz who was assembling the work print (his idea was two three-hour films). After a futile attempt to edit the film into something manageable Zanuck realized that only Mankiewicz would be able to supervise the editing and brought him back to complete what would be the final four hour version. The documentary explained that the 70mm elements occupied enormous storage space and the unused scenes, trims, and alternate takes were disposed of. The longer documentary included in the Blu-ray does include some deleted scenes that were found (without sound), such as some deleted scenes during the entry into Rome and from an early part of the film Cleopatra at her army's campsite.

Just when you think the DVD box was as complete as can be, they again add new bonus material for the bluray. Oh well.
But wasn't it originally even shorter than the 4 hour version?

[David Alp]

But wasn't it originally even shorter than the 4 hour version?

Yes you are correct. At one stage, (after the 4 hour roadshow version had been showed), the film was ONCE AGAIN cut for a third time by Zanuck; this time down to 3 hours and 15 minutes. The reason being was that exhibitors were complaining about the amount of showings per day they could cram in. They were not making enough money on the film, even though it was booked up for 4 months solid. So thus, it was cut down to the 3 and a quarter hours version, and this was the version that was shipped to England!!! Elizabeth Taylor attended the premier in London, and she was appalled by the film! She slated it in the actual cinema whilst she was watching it, and at the end came out crying and had to go to the ladies room to compose herself as she was so upset that six hours had been cut down to 3 and a quarter hours; and that they had cut out all of the beautiful shots; plus half the storyline... Terrible really!! Of course everybody in England loved the film because they didn't know what they were missing! They didn't know what had been cut out. For example Hume Cronyn's part as Sosigenes was brutally cut down to just a few scenes, even though he worked months on the picture. He says in the documentary, (that was on BBC3HD in the UK on Saturday night) that he could have filmed his scenes in six days, not six months!

Regarding the state/existence of the six hour version, they said that currently Mankiewicz' cut was missing?? They then showed a huge warehouse that just contained reel after reel after reel of out-takes from "CLEOPATRA"... ?? Whether these were the scenes that were shot in England; or Rome or Hollywood was anybody's guess? But there were seemingly hundreds of reels of film being stored; so the documentary sort of gave the impression that maybe they were working on restoring the film using out-takes? For example they found part of the Grand Procession of Cleopatra that had been cut out -- it was a bunch of women dressed as snakes, and they were dancing very provocatively in these snake suits -- well, anyway, the idea was I guess to put this scene back into the film?? But whether we ever get a six hour version is anybody's guess?

[Spiny Norman]

Perhaps they showed a bunch of 70mm films but not the right ones? Perhaps we'll one day find out. Even mute footage can be useful, after all, they managed to get that snails & oysters scene back into Spartacus too.

[the documentary, (that was on BBC3HD in the UK on Saturday night)

Oh, what was it called? I couldn't immediately find it, unless it was "Great movie mistakes".