This is the first Toto movie I've seen. It's a good way to get acquainted with this extremely droll buffoon, one of the most popular characters in Italian film. A parody of the contemporary Hollywood film Caesar And Cleopatra, the movie's almost nonexistent plot revolves around the confusion between Marc Antony and his scamp, slave trader brother Totonno (both roles played by Toto), who masquerades as his more illustrious twin. A mix of low, knockabout comedy and clever repartee (much of it lost on this Americano), the film is basically a vehicle for Toto to make with the yucks, a small man with a beak nose, wit and humor flashing in his eyes and every gesture as he hams his way through this ninety minute romp. Able support is provided by Magali Noël as Cleopatra who shows up scantily clad in a phosphorescent clam shell. The radiant, gorgeous Moira Orfei does a good comic turn as Ottavia, sister of Augustus. Carlo Delle Piane is also amusing as Cleopatra's bratty, cowardly son, Cesarione.

Jokes fly fast and furious as Toto alternately woos and spurns Cleopatra depending upon which character she encounters, Antony or his posing brother, until the poor woman is driven to the brink of desperation. Toto And Cleopatra functions well as a parody of sword and sandal films in general with the same excellent sets and handsome costumes as in the genre, but played strictly for laughs all the way with not a real hero in the bunch. Italian cinema was a lot less averse to sexuality than American films of the time and many gags are openly suggestive, adding to the general zest and brio alla'Italiana. The film ends on a suitably ludicrous note with no one really hurt, unlike the actual miserable, historical truth.

I recommend this film to sword and sandal fans who can take a joke, admirers of Italian cinema in general, and anyone who wants to see a master comedian at work at the absolute top of his game.

TOTO AND CLEOPATRA is a simple spoof of the Hollywood hit CLEOPATRA, starring the ageing Italian comedian Toto in the dual role of Mark Antony and his ne'er-do-well brother. As with all Italian comedies of this era, this is a dialogue-based effort which is all about the witty repartee and character interplay. Toto himself is something of an acquired taste, and as a British viewer who hadn't encountered him before, I found his performance somewhat over-mannered. The rest of the film is largely laborious and dated. Call me lowbrow, but I'd rather stick on CARRY ON CLEO instead.

I'm from Italy, and Totò here is celebrated as one of the greatest comic figure of the italian cinema. All his movies are masterpiece in all the senses, but this Totò & Cleopatra is a absolute blast of laugh and witty jokes, just before Mel Brooks and his witty style of comedy.

Let's face. Here we have one of the first examples of Brooks humor just before the real Brooks humor. This movie infact is full of jokes, pop culture and parody a very important historical era, which was the ancient Rome and the love story between Marco Antonio and Cleopatra.

A must watch if you love the Mel Brooks humor and also the italian humor. You don't be disappointed!