ASTÉRIX ET CLÉOPÂTRE (1968) ** In which the secret of the Sphinx (how she lost her nose) is revealed. It turns out that the Gauls were the ones, along with a very early proponent of architectural eclecticism, who built a great palace at Alexandria, much to the delight of the gorgeously-nosed Cleopatra. Surely this is the sacred geometry missing link so long sought by those Templar nostalgians! The magic potion doesn't resemble beer as much as it does in later segments but is effective nonetheless. They get in a well-timed jibe at the joys of joining the army (don't do it, you might get your ass kicked for reasons having nothing to do with you) as well as the expected joyous musical segments. When you're eating well you're well. Obelix, as always, steals the show. Not a particularly in-depth look at the astonishing wealth of Egyptian civilization, but the little Egyptians are drawn really cute.