Let me paint you a picture: Elizabeth Taylor, one of the most iconic actresses of all time, sits regally atop a gilded platform surrounded by the grandeur of an enormous sphinx. This was no ordinary scene—it was the moment she stepped into ancient Rome as Cleopatra, drawn by slaves in a procession designed to be the visual highlight of the film. But behind that stoic exterior, Elizabeth was trembling with fear. “She had received death threats and was genuinely terrified that someone might try to harm her or that the extras would jeer at her,” explains Kate Andersen, author of Elizabeth Taylor: The Grit and Glamor of an Icon.
Here’s the kicker: Instead of the planned cheering crowds shouting “Cleopatra!” the 6,000 Italian extras, many of whom were infuriated by the press and Vatican condemnation of her scandalous affair with co-star Richard Burton, greeted her with cries of “Liz! Liz!” and “baci! baci!” as they blew air kisses. It was overwhelming for Elizabeth, so much so that she broke down in tears. Andersen recalls, “It was an emotionally draining period for her, a time when she felt the weight of the world pressing down on her shoulders.”
The Making of a Monumental Film
Fast forward sixty years, and we’re still talking about Cleopatra. When the film was first released, it was nothing short of a spectacle. With a budget that skyrocketed to a staggering $44 million—equivalent to over $300 million today—it became the most expensive movie ever made. The production faced numerous challenges, burning through two directors and several lead actors. The script was in a constant state of flux, and one of its elaborate sets, a replica of the Roman forum, cost $1.5 million to construct. It was twice the size of the original! No wonder it nearly bankrupted 20th Century Fox.
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Despite the financial strain, Cleopatra made history by making Elizabeth the first actress to command a $1 million paycheck for a single project. But this monumental success came at a personal cost. While filming in London, Elizabeth battled severe respiratory issues, leading to an emergency tracheotomy in 1961 that saved her life. This near-death experience prompted her to reassess her marriage to Eddie Fisher. “We knew our time was running out. The clock was ticking,” she admitted.
A New Chapter in Rome
After months of recuperation, production resumed in Rome under a new director, with Richard Burton stepping into the role of Mark Antony. Elizabeth had initially dismissed Richard as a pompous bore, but that perception changed when he arrived on set with a hangover. Andersen reveals, “He wasn’t a snob; he was the son of a coal miner and a self-made man. To Elizabeth, that made him incredibly attractive and appealing.”
When news of their affair broke, chaos erupted. Paparazzi disguised as extras infiltrated the set to spy on the couple. Richard wavered about leaving his wife, while Elizabeth missed call times due to arguments with Eddie. Eddie recounted, “The day I left Rome, it cost them another $100,000. Elizabeth was beside herself. Work ground to a halt.” Things escalated further when Elizabeth overdosed on prescription sedatives, calling both her husband and lover to her hospital bedside. She insisted, “It wasn’t a suicide attempt. I’m not that kind of person. I just needed rest.”
The Premiere and Beyond
On June 12, 1963, Bert Parks of The Tonight Show covered the New York premiere of Cleopatra, but Elizabeth and Richard were conspicuously absent. Elizabeth later confessed, “We’d had enough of Cleopatra. The entire experience was chaotic—it was probably the most tumultuous time of my life.” Yet, despite the turmoil, the film cemented Elizabeth Taylor’s status as a legend, proving that even in the face of adversity, she remained a force to be reckoned with.
