Wolfcrow Video Essay Explains Why Cleopatra, Ben-Hur, and Lawrence of Arabia Still Look Spectacular
In a video essay named "Why Cleopatra Still Looks Like a Trillion Bucks," Wolfcrow examines the visual excellence of historical films produced by Hollywood. The film Cleopatra, which cost Twentieth Century Fox $44 million (roughly $480 million today), was the priciest film of its era. Initially, it did not recover its costs, earning revenue later through re-releases and television rights. Creator Sareesh Sudhakaran points out impressive elements such as the 70-foot sphinx, a life-sized Alexandria harbor, a Roman Forum set three times the size of the actual Forum, and 65 costumes donned by Elizabeth Taylor. He also praises the detailed production of 1959's Ben-Hur and David Lean's meticulous approach in Lawrence of Arabia, highlighting the use of authentic landscapes and natural lighting.
Key facts
- Cleopatra cost Twentieth Century Fox $44 million by the studio's own estimate, equivalent to $480 million in current dollars
- Cleopatra was the most expensive film ever made up to that point
- Cleopatra failed to recoup its investment during its initial theatrical run, turning a profit only through re-releases and television rights sales
- The Cleopatra production included a 70-foot-long giant sphinx, a full-scale Alexandria harbor built on the coast, and a Roman Forum set three times larger than the actual Roman Forum
- Elizabeth Taylor wore roughly 65 outfits in the title role, with 26,000 other costumes made for other characters
- Cleopatra was filmed on 65mm Todd-AO stock
- The chariot race in the 1959 Ben-Hur took five months to film on the largest set ever built at that time, with 1,500 extras in its stands
- David Lean wanted the desert to be a character in the story of Lawrence of Arabia
Entities
Artists
- Elizabeth Taylor
- Sareesh Sudhakaran
- David Lean
- Colin Marshall
Institutions
- Twentieth Century Fox
- Wolfcrow
- YouTube
- Open Culture
Locations
- Seoul
- South Korea