In the Valley of Elah Budget
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Synopsis
"In the Valley of Elah" (2007) is a gripping drama that delves into the complexities of war and its aftermath. The story follows Hank Deerfield, a retired Army sergeant portrayed by Tommy Lee Jones, who embarks on a desperate search for his son, Mike, a soldier recently returned from Iraq. When Mike goes missing shortly after his homecoming, Hank's investigation leads him into a web of military bureaucracy and the harsh realities faced by veterans.
As he navigates through the challenges of uncovering the truth, Hank teams up with a determined local police officer, played by Charlize Theron. Together, they confront the emotional scars of war, the impact of violence on soldiers, and the struggle for justice. The film poignantly explores themes of loss, fatherhood, and the haunting consequences of conflict, ultimately revealing the profound toll that war takes on both individuals and families.
What is the budget of In the Valley of Elah?
"In the Valley of Elah," a history released in 2007, was directed by Paul Haggis and stars Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron. The production budget was $23,000,000, placing it in the mid-budget range for history productions of its era.
Key Budget Allocation Categories
While specific budget breakdowns are not publicly available, typical cost drivers for a history production like this include:
- Above-the-Line Talent: Drama films live or die on the strength of their performances.
- Location Filming & Period Production Design: Authentic locations , whether contemporary or historical , require scouting, permits, travel, lodging, and often significant dressing to match the story's time period.
- Post-Production, Color Grading & Score: The editorial process for dramas is typically longer than genre films, with careful attention to pacing and tone.
What were the major cost factors in In the Valley of Elah?
Several factors contributed to the overall production costs of "In the Valley of Elah."
- Above-the-Line Talent: Above-the-Line Talent is one of the primary cost drivers in history productions of this scale.
- Location Filming: Location Filming & Period Production Design is one of the primary cost drivers in history productions of this scale.
- Post-Production: Post-Production, Color Grading & Score is one of the primary cost drivers in history productions of this scale.
How Does In the Valley of Elah's Budget Compare to Similar Films?
At $23,000,000, In the Valley of Elah sits in the mid-budget range. Here is how it compares to productions with a similar budget:
- The Secret World of Arrietty (2010): Budget $23,000,000, Worldwide Gross $149,660,003
- Bad Santa (2003): Budget $23,000,000, Worldwide Gross $76,500,000
- Chasing Liberty (2004): Budget $23,000,000, Worldwide Gross $12,195,626
- Chéri (2009): Budget $23,000,000, Worldwide Gross $9,400,000
- Eddie the Eagle (2016): Budget $23,000,000, Worldwide Gross $46,152,411
The median budget for wide-release history films in the 2000s ranges from $30 to 80M for mid-budget to $150M+ for tentpoles.
In the Valley of Elah Box Office Performance
"In the Valley of Elah" earned $6,777,741 domestically and $29,541,790 worldwide at the box office. Against a production budget of $23,000,000, the film showed modest profitability in theatrical release.
A film typically needs to earn approximately twice its production budget to cover marketing and distribution costs. For "In the Valley of Elah," that break-even threshold was roughly $46,000,000. With worldwide earnings of $29,541,790, the film fell short of that threshold but recouped its production costs in theatrical release.
- Production Budget: $23,000,000
- Worldwide Gross: $29,541,790
- Net Return: $6,541,790
- ROI: approximately 28.4%
At 28.4%, "In the Valley of Elah" returned its production investment but margin was tight after marketing and distribution costs.
Awards and Recognition
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 3 wins & 21 nominations total
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did it cost to make In the Valley of Elah (2007)?
The production budget was $23,000,000, covering principal photography, cast and crew salaries, locations, sets, post-production, and music. Marketing and distribution (P&A) costs are estimated at an additional $11,500,000 - $18,400,000, bringing the total studio investment to approximately $34,500,000 - $41,400,000.
How much did In the Valley of Elah (2007) earn at the box office?
In the Valley of Elah grossed $6,777,741 domestic, $22,764,049 international, totaling $29,541,790 worldwide.
Was In the Valley of Elah (2007) profitable?
The film did not break even theatrically, earning $29,541,790 against an estimated $57,500,000 needed. Ancillary revenue may have improved the picture.
What were the biggest costs in producing In the Valley of Elah?
The primary cost drivers were above-the-line talent (Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron, Susan Sarandon); talent compensation, authentic period production design, and meticulous post-production.
How does In the Valley of Elah's budget compare to similar history films?
At $23,000,000, In the Valley of Elah is classified as a low-budget production. The median budget for wide-release history films in the 2000s ranges from $30 - 80M for mid-budget to $150M+ for tentpoles. Comparable budgets: The Secret World of Arrietty (2010, $23,000,000); Bad Santa (2003, $23,000,000); Chasing Liberty (2004, $23,000,000).
Did In the Valley of Elah (2007) go over budget?
There are no widely reported accounts of significant budget overruns for this production. However, studios rarely disclose precise budget overrun figures publicly. The reported production budget reflects the final estimated cost.
What was the return on investment (ROI) for In the Valley of Elah?
The theatrical ROI was 28.4%, calculated as ($29,541,790 − $23,000,000) ÷ $23,000,000 × 100. This measures gross revenue against production budget only - it does not account for P&A or exhibitor shares.
What awards did In the Valley of Elah (2007) win?
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 3 wins & 21 nominations total.
Who directed In the Valley of Elah and who were the key crew members?
Directed by Paul Haggis, written by Paul Haggis, Mark Boal, shot by Roger Deakins, with music by Mark Isham, edited by Jo Francis.
Where was In the Valley of Elah filmed?
In the Valley of Elah was filmed in United States of America. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
Filmmakers
In the Valley of Elah
Official Trailer
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