In 1970 the actor starred in an adaptation of Julio Cesar in the film, directed by Stuart Burge and with a star cast: John Gielgud, Christopher Lee and Robert Vaughn. The success led him to embark along with Peter Snell in the exciting adventure of putting in images, Antony and Cleopatra, one of the tragedies of Shakespeare’s loveliest but least known to the general public. The project was absolutely personal and Heston offered his friends Orson Welles and Laurence Olivier, but none was available, so the protagonist of the ten commandments that had already prepared the script since he knew in detail the work – decided to deal with also of the Mise en scene. The story is about rupture of Antony with Rome to join Cleopatra, reaching why loneliness, defeat and death itself.
In his memoirs, Charlton Heston describes the hard filming of Mark Antony and Cleoptra on Spanish soil (the film was co-produced by Izaro Films and his son Fraser, future director, helped him as an Assistant in the direction) and amid praise to technicians and Spanish partners, glimpsed her deep love for the Shakespeare Theatre and total dedication that had to deliver the project. The filming was extended between April and August 1971 in Almeria and Madrid. The film premiered in London on March 2, 1972 and in Spain on May 11. The conditions were difficult and for display in United States only be could count with the modest independent distributor American international. The conventional criticism was primed in a movie made with much love and dedication that had deserved a bit more of attention and less disdain..