They don't make movies like this anymore. The version starring Elizabeth Taylor cost $44 million (the equivalent of $307.5 million in 2009 dollars) but lost money, grossing just $26 million in the U.S. It is believed to be the only money losing film to be the highest grossing film. Not surprisingly, it very nearly bankrupted it's producer, 20th Century Fox. Despite its financial and often critical failure, it won four Academy Awards.
The 1963 film was directed by Joseph L. Mankiewic with a screenplay adapted by Sidney Buchman, In addition to Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, other stars included Rex Harrison, Roddy McDowell and Martin Landau. The music score was by Alex North.
An earlier Cleopatra dates to the 30s and starred Claudette Colbert. More recently, Angelina Jolie may play Cleopatra in a new multi-part broadcast documentary. The story, of course, chronicles the struggles of the young Queen of Egypt against the imperial ambitions of Rome.
Elizabeth Taylor was awarded a record-setting contract of $1 million swelling to some $7 million due to the production delays. Taylor also became very ill and required an emergency tracheotomy to save her life. The scar can be seen in some shots.
The film was shut down and moved to Rome from England. During the filming, Taylor met Richard Burton. The affair became a public scandal --generating bad publicity for a troubled production.
Mankiewicz screened a cut running six hours. Eventually, three hours of run time were cut, but only by sacrificing certain story details. Mankiewicz failed to secure a release of two versions --a part I and a Part II. Though a 243 minute version has been released, efforts are still ongoing to find all of the missing footage. If they are ever found, the original six hour 'vision' may be seen eventually.
Trailer: Cleopatra
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