Female sexuality and power have been a controversial subject since the dawn of time. In many ancient societies, women exist as inferior beings. They were only supposed to have children and remain faithful to their husbands. Cleopatra VI became one of the first prominent women to wield power. She reigned as queen of the entire Egyptian kingdom and bowed to no one. Cleopatra used her beauty to get what she wanted and needed for her country, and in doing so, she won over some of the most politically important men in the Roman republic. Yet for many years, the life of this formidable queen remained little known. The story of Cleopatra VI returned to the forefront with the production of three films: Cleopatra by Cecil B. de Mille in 1934, Cleopatra by Joesph L. Mankiewicz in 1963 and Cleopatra Jones by Jack Starrett in 1973. Each of these productions represent the story of Cleopatra VI. Historical Cleopatra in modern glory and power. They wanted to please both men and women; to the woman's desire and need for power in a world still dominated by men, and to the man's thirst for a beautiful and intellectual woman. All three of these films served their purpose precisely; they maintained a close connection to the historical context of Cleopatra, while still succeeding in attracting their target audience. Claudette Colbert dazzled audiences as a "girl next door" actress of the 1930s, which made her role as Cleopatra all the more appealing. In 1934, women in the United States were still struggling to escape their gender roles. A sexually charged and intimidating star was perhaps too much, too soon for the multitudes of that era; Colbert was perfect for the role. "Colbert offered a model of all that was 'tasteful and attractive' about contemporary female sexuality...... middle of paper...... at a time when women were subjugated to a lower status, but nevertheless became one of the most powerful women of all time. She harnessed this power by cleverly using her sexuality, which brought a whole new idea to American society. Women could perceive this power and take ownership of it. This is what made the concept of Cleopatra successful as a film. It allowed people to connect with the Queen and be inspired by her life and love. Cleopatra of 1934 and 1963 appealed to the general Caucasian audience, while Cleopatra Jones came from African-American culture. Interest in the legend of Cleopatra VI has been renewed thanks to this trio of films, and is now stronger than ever. Today, Liz Taylor, Claudette Colbert and Tamara Dobson still inspire women and produce a fantasy for men; that's why these films are so important. They have lasted through the ages.