Most expensive silent movie made, costing 4-6 million dollars.  MGM was unable to recover the 4 million after the first year.

In 1931 the film was reissued with music composed by William Axt.

A staged fire in the sea battle scene actually got out of hand and caused real damage.

Filming began in Italy but after many difficulties and accidents (a stuntman was killed while filming the chariot race in Italy) moved to Culver City, California.

The famous chariot scene was filmed at what is now the intersection of LaCienega and Venice Boulevards in Los Angeles.

The Charlton Heston 1959 version basically copied the chariot scene from the 1925 original.

According to the 2002 Guinness Book of World Records the chariot scene is the most edited scene ever.  200,000 feet of film were edited back to 750 feet of film, a ratio of 267:1.

Clark Gable and Joan Crawford were among the thousands of extras that participated in the movie. 

The director required 62 assistant directors for the chariot scene and one of them, William Wyler went on to direct the 1959 Ben Hur starring Charlton Heston.

F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald became very friendly with the cast and crew while Mr. Fitzgerald was in Italy revising "The Great Gatsby".