Epic Cleopatra Film: Scandals & Staggering Costs

Released in 1963, the biographical drama Cleopatra chronicles the tumultuous reign and legendary affairs of Egypt's queen. The film, starring Elizabeth Taylor in the titular role, begins with her encounter with Julius Caesar in 48 BC and follows her rise to power amidst political intrigue.

Behind the scenes, the production was famously dramatic and costly. Initial estimates of $2 million escalated to an astonishing $44 million, roughly $470 million in today's currency, making it one of cinema's most extravagant films. Filming in London was halted due to Elizabeth Taylor's severe illness, leading to a relocation of the entire production to Rome.

The immense budget and prolonged schedule nearly bankrupted 20th Century Fox, forcing project freezes and budget cuts. The production also saw cast changes and required reshoots. The affair between Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, who played Mark Antony, was a global scandal, attracting intense media scrutiny and even condemnation from the Vatican.

Cleopatra secured nine Academy Award nominations and won four, including Best Art Direction and Best Cinematography. Elizabeth Taylor's groundbreaking $1 million contract eventually yielded her approximately $7 million. The film's colossal expense marked the end of Hollywood's era of lavish historical epics, as studios became hesitant to finance productions of such magnitude.