Subtitles:

English (SDH), none

Extras:

"Cleopatra" reveals Mr. De Mille in an emphatically lavish, but nevertheless a relatively restrained mood. He may not neglect to dwell upon Cleopatra's amorous behavior and has evidently preferred that she does not overdress. But, even so, the scenes wherein she is beheld are less blatant than those he has depicted of other sorceresses in previous films.

Claudette Colbert, the Poppaea of "The Sign of the Cross," is entrusted with the part of Cleopatra. She wears a dark wig and looks even more attractive than usual. She speaks her lines with the necessary confidence, whether they are concerned with love, hate or politics. When it is a matter of disposing of Pothinos with a javelin, she conducts herself with the coolness of a queen of the olden days. And when the chance is offered for a little comedy she acquits herself cleverly.

Excerpt from the NY Times located HERE

Colbert impersonated two notable biblical beauties early in her career in the Cecil B. DeMille films The Sign of the Cross (1932) and Cleopatra(1934). The latter film is notable not only for the sophisticated flavor Colbert brings to the role of the doomed monarch, but also for its lavish sets and art direction.

The fabulous costumes that adorned Colbert won raves for designer Travis Banton, although he was not the original costume designer for the film. The scoop is that Banton was called in at the last minute to redesign the entire wardrobe - in one day - because Colbert threatened to walk off the set due to the "unacceptable" gowns made for her by DeMille's staff at Paramount. According to publicity released by the studio, Banton produced "one of the most extravagant wardrobes seen on the screen on a day-to-day basis."

Audio :

I suspect that for most people these will be new as The Cecil B. DeMille Collection from 2006 (reviewed HERE) that many bought didn't have any extras but a Cleopatra 75th Anniversary Edition DVD came out in 2009 and it has the same supplements as this Blu-ray edition. We get a professional commentary by Filmmaker F.X. Feeney - as well as three video featurettes; Claudette Colbert: Queen of the Silver Screen, Cecil B. DeMille: Hollywood's Epic Director, Forbidden Film: The Production Code Era totalling about 1/2 hour. There is also a theatrical trailer and the Masters of Cinema package adds a 40-page liner notes booklet including 1934 interview material with DeMille, notes on the film by Craig Keller, and rare archival imagery.

BOTTOM LINE:
Cleopatra is imperfect but has the 'epic' feel of a DeMille masterwork. Colbert is simply exquisite as the 'bad girl' lead. I certainly enjoyed this more film-like viewing than the SD presentation from 6 years previous. The Blu-ray. I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting the film and the extensive extras buoyed my appreciation for subsequent viewings. Yes, we can easily recommend this as  apart of your digital library. 

Also available as a Limited Edition Steelbook HERE: