Perhaps one of the most misunderstood, yet enigmatic historical female figure of all time, was none other than Cleopatra.

It’s amazing, really, how her name and legacy still remains in the modern world.

She’s a Queen. A leader. A conquerer. At the same time, she’s a sex symbol. No other woman in history has perhaps done what she’s done. Using her powers as a woman, she knew how to maintain her network and have people wanting more. Even the most powerful men in her time bowed down to her feet, weak and submissive. Her powers didn’t lie in fighting in battle and wiedling a sword. It lied in her ability to weave other’s emotions and minds to suit her own agenda. Female leadership truly at its finest. One can only admire in awe the talent and intellect she held.

Though Elizabeth Taylor’s Cleopatra is well known for not being historically accurate in terms of her looks, her portrayal was undeniably charismatic. With her striking violet eyes emphasized by precise kohl liner and frosty blue eyeshadow, her snarky tongue and oozing sex appeal, I have a feeling the real Cleopatra would’ve more than flattered to have Elizbaeth Taylor play her in a movie.

Moreover, the epic is still an amazing feat, even in today’s standards. With a running time of 4 hours, the movie actually progresses quite smootly. The first 2 hours are focused on Cleopatra’s relationship with Julius Caesar, while the last 2 pertain to Mark Antony. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton also notoriously fell in love while filming this movie, breaking off both of their marriages to be with each other.

There is so much to love about this movie. The actors. The costumes. The production. The fact that making this movie nearly bankrupted an entire studio. What a time this was, really.

Honestly? I can see “Cleopatra Core” coming into vogue in the near future. It’s simply the nature of the times we live in – for young people to call everything “core” and have everything be an “aesthetic.” Until then, the motel will safely tuck this movie into a corner of her heart. If Hollywood could ever amass the guts to produce something like this again, I’d happily applaud them. Though, there hasn’t been any other like Elizabeth Taylor. And more importantly, there hasn’t been any other like Cleopatra.