Budget: $335 million (adjusted for inflation from $44m)Gross Earnings: $533 million When it was first conceived by 20th Century Fox the 1963 epic was given a budget of $2 million; a reasonable amount for when Cleopatra was shot nearly half a century ago. However, this figure would ultimately turn out to be so wrong that whoever came up with it must surely have been fired. Despite being a highly entertaining film, Joseph L. Mankiewiczs Cleopatra is far better known for being the movie whose production was so ridiculously far over budget that you wonder why they didnt just build a time-machine and film the real Queen of the Nile. Instead 20th Century Fox would stick the course and complete the film at a cost of an astounding $44 million a massive sum which would almost bankrupt the company. Being forced to reconstruct the already expensive sets, scandal surrounding the stars and a mid-production switch in director meant that the whole operation was long and financially draining. Adjusted for inflation Cleopatra is not only the most expensive film ever made but is also the only highest grossing film of the year to run a loss. It finally broke even a decade later when a deal was agreed to show it on television. The core performances of Taylor and Burton and the lavish sets mean that the film is extremely watchable with all the behind-the-scenes turmoil failing to negatively impact the final movie.
Hailing from South East London, Sam Heard is an aspiring writer and recent graduate from the University of Warwick. Sam's favourite things include energy drinks, late nights spent watching the UFC with his girlfriend and annihilating his friends at FIFA.
