50TH Anniversary of Academy-Award Winning 'Cleopatra' to Be Part of Cinemark's Classic Series
50THAnniversary of Academy-Award Winning 'Cleopatra' to Be Part of Cinemark's Classic Series
PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYS: CNK) , one of the world's largest motion picture exhibitors, is pleased to announce a special in-theatre performance of the 1963 Twentieth Century Fox masterpiece CLEOPATRA in over 120 Cinemark theatres across the country as part of Cinemark's Classic Series. Performances will take place on Sunday, May 19 at 2 p.m. and Wednesday, May 22 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
"A film like CLEOPATRA is why we created the Classic Series," states James Meredith, VP, Head of Marketing & Communications for Cinemark. "From award-winning costumes and lavish sets, to the epic vision of the director, and the iconic performances of Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and Rex Harrison, this film is a visual feast in so many ways."
Twentieth Century Fox has meticulously restored the 243-minute original theatrical version of CLEOPATRA to commemorate its 50th anniversary. The new digitally restored transfer will receive a world premiere as an official selection of Cannes Classics at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival on May 21 in the Sixtieth Anniversary Theater.
Tickets for Cinemark's Classic Series are now available at www.cinemark.com or at the participating theatre box offices. For a full list of participating Cinemark locations, advance ticket purchases and show time information go to the Cinemark web site.
In 51 BC, Cleopatra became queen of the Egyptian Empire: the wealthiest and most revered kingdom the world has ever known. More than 2,000 years later Twentieth Century Fox Studios set out to tell her epic story in what would become the most ambitious and lavish moviemaking endeavor in Hollywood history. Elizabeth Taylor signed a one million dollar contract to play the title role of Cleopatra, becoming the first female star to command such a sum for one picture. Elaborate sets and costumes, production delays and the relocation of principal filming from London to Rome added to the skyrocketing budget that reportedly almost bankrupted the studio.
Directed by Academy Award® winner Joseph L. Mankiewicz, the historical epic shot on 70mm film cost an unprecedented $42 million to make (equivalent to over $300 million today). The film took home four Academy Awards, becoming one of the highest grossing films of 1963 with more than $24 million in its initial release. Even more infamous and tantalizing than the film's budget, CLEOPATRA is remembered for the highly publicized torrid affair between on again, off again lovers, Taylor and Burton that unfolded in the media during the three-year production. The off screen scandals involving Liz and Dick were the equivalent of Rihanna and Chris Brown and were all over the tabloids of the day. These provocative tales have since become as notorious as the film itself. CLEOPATRA, however remains one of the grandest cinematic spectacles of all time and has overcome the polarizing initial reviews and is now a well-loved critical favorite and is an integral part of Twentieth Century Fox's legacy.
ABOUT CINEMARK HOLDINGS, INC.
Cinemark is a leading domestic and international motion picture exhibitor, operating 467 theatres with 5,259 screens in 39 U.S. states, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and 10 other Latin American countries as of March 31, 2013. For more information go to www.cinemark.com.
Cinemark Holdings, Inc.
James Meredith, 972-665-1060
VP, Head of Marketing & Communications
jmeredith@cinemark.com
KEYWORDS: United States North America Texas
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