Antony and Cleopatra is a 1972 film adaptation of the play of the same name by William Shakespeare, directed by and starring Charlton Heston, and made by the Rank Organisation.

Heston and Hildegarde Neil portray the titular roles of Mark Antony and Cleopatra, with a supporting cast featuring Eric Porter, John Castle, Fernando Rey, Carmen Sevilla, Freddie Jones, Peter Arne, Douglas Wilmer, Julian Glover and Roger Delgado.

The picture was produced by Peter Snell from a screenplay by Federico De Urrutia and the director.

Before battle, the triumvirs meet with Pompey and offer him control of Sicily and Sardinia on the condition he drives out the pirates and pay tribute.

Back in Egypt, Cleopatra learns Antony's marriage to Octavia and strikes her messenger for delivering the news.

In the wake, Octavius finds Antony is displeased with his allocation of Sextus Pompey's territories and dictates that Lepidus be disposed as triumvirate.

Enobarbus urges Antony to fight on land, believing that Octavius's naval forces hold the greater advantage.

Octavius then sends Thidias, a messenger, to ask Cleopatra to give up Antony and switch sides.

[3] Charlton Heston had played Mark Antony in two previous Shakespearean films, both adaptations of Julius Caesar, the first in 1950, the second in 1970 (also produced by Peter Snell).

The film received poor reviews[4] and, as a consequence, a very limited release in the United States.