Cleopatra 1963 Subtitles Guide

For fans who download fan-made subtitle files from sites like OpenSubtitles or Subscene, a new layer of unintentional humor emerges. These files are often created by scanning old 35mm prints using Optical Character Recognition (OCR). The results are legendary among cinephiles:

In 1963, the Hays Code was still active. While the film pushed boundaries, some subtitle tracks for conservative markets (like the UK and Latin America) softened the erotic tension. When Cleopatra says, “I shall not go in chains… but I shall go,” early subtitles in Spain changed it to “I will not be a prisoner… I will travel.” cleopatra 1963 subtitles

To fully appreciate this epic film, here are some tips: For fans who download fan-made subtitle files from

Cleopatra is a visual feast. It was the most expensive movie ever made at the time of its release, nearly bankrupting 20th Century Fox. As you watch with your subtitles, take a moment to appreciate the fact that Elizabeth Taylor made history with the first $1 million contract for an actress—a sum that pales in comparison to today's salaries but was revolutionary then. While the film pushed boundaries, some subtitle tracks