Cleopatra
1963 Best Picture Nominee

100 Words
Readers, this is the longest Best Picture-nominated film to date and I managed to squeeze it in on two anxiety-provoking flights to and from California. While I pondered the process of getting anxiety medication for airplanes (I did), Cleopatra married the ill-fated Julius Caesar and then swooned over Antony.

The chemistry between Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton was palpable even over flight turbulence, justifying the numerous times they were cast as an onscreen pair (and their real-life pairing). The addition of color enhanced the scenery, though the addition of colorful actors for accuracy would be welcome in the next retelling.