Hollywood has a history of indulging itself, and many of the most stunning films of all-time are the result of incredible budgets.
With adjustments for inflation, classic historical epics like Ben-Hur and Cleopatra are just as pricey as the blockbusters of today.
A film’s budget and box office performance can change the way that the industry operates and inspire new trends.
In the case of Ben-Hur, Hollywood saw a future in epic storytelling with elaborate sets and set pieces; in the case of Cleopatra, the film’s failure marked an end to this fruitful period of movie stars and signified the dawn of the New Hollywood era.
Read full article