20th Century Fox
When cinema fans delve into the annals of Hollywood history, few films embody its grand, tumultuous spirit more than “Cleopatra” from 1963. With a runtime exceeding four hours, this epic not only captivated audiences but also teetered dangerously close to financial ruin for its studio, remaining an intriguing mix of triumph and turmoil.
At a superficial glance, “Cleopatra” might be imagined as a powerhouse of box office success, akin to the likes of “Avatar.” Such assumptions seem justified when considering its stellar cast, featuring Elizabeth Taylor as the majestic Egyptian queen. As she defied Roman rule in a passionate entanglement with Mark Antony, portrayed by Richard Burton, alongside Rex Harrison as Caesar, the film was a magnet for moviegoers.
Upon its June 12, 1963 premiere, “Cleopatra” initially did not storm to the top of the box office charts. It wasn’t until the July 4th weekend that it claimed the top spot, grossing $725,000. This accolade marked the beginning of a persistently strong performance lasting until the end of September, with sporadic resurgences in both October and November. However, its momentum paused abruptly following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Throughout its theatrical journey, “Cleopatra” amassed $57 million domestically, complemented by an additional $14 million abroad, making it the highest-grossing film of its year. It garnered nine Academy Award nominations and claimed four wins. Nonetheless, the film’s legacy was overshadowed by its notorious production costs, branding it a financial misadventure.
Cleopatra nearly ended 20th Century Fox
20th Century Fox
In 1963, $71 million in box office receipts would typically signify a blockbuster hit. Initially, “Cleopatra” embarked on its cinematic voyage with a $5 million budget, but it encountered numerous setbacks. Among its most notorious expenses were its extravagant set designs, which earned it the reputation of having some of the priciest film sets ever constructed.
For starters, filming began in London with the exorbitant sets being built from the ground up. But poor weather degraded many of the sets and palm trees. It also didn’t help that Elizabeth Taylor, who required a $1 million salary all on her own, came down with double pneumonia while in London, causing further delays.
In addition to expensive sets and actors, there were changes behind the scenes, as the original director, Reuben Mamoulian, was fired and replaced with Joseph L. Mankiewicz, who rewrote the script at night and would shoot the new scenes during the day. This caused its own overages. Since no one knew what was happening on a day-to-day basis, thousands of extras stood around waiting for orders, all while getting paid. When all was said and done, “Cleopatra” racked up a budget of $44 million, which would be the equivalent of $480 million in 2026.
Despite a formidable box office run, it wasn’t enough to recoup the losses. 20th Century Fox was forced to sell 260 acres of its Los Angeles-based backlot, which would eventually become the office and shopping complex known as Century City. For moviegoers, “Cleopatra” signaled a cultural shift: The days of big-budget historical epics were over, in favor of smaller, auteur-driven cinema, like “The Graduate.” But despite the chaos of the film’s production that became its legacy, “Cleopatra” is very much a box office bomb still worth watching.