Production Budget Analysis

What was the production budget for The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover?

Directed by Peter Greenaway, with Michael Gambon, Richard Bohringer, Helen Mirren leading the cast, The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover was produced by Allarts with a confirmed budget of $2,300,000, placing it in the micro-budget category for crime films.

At $2,300,000, The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover was produced on a lean budget. Lower-budget films benefit from reduced break-even thresholds, with profitability achievable at approximately $5,750,000.

Budget Comparison — Similar Productions

• It Follows (2015): Budget $2,300,000 | Gross $23,374,076 → ROI: 916% • Possession (1981): Budget $2,400,000 | Gross $1,200,000 → ROI: -50% • Silenced (2011): Budget $2,200,000 | Gross $31,500,000 → ROI: 1332% • 12th Fail (2023): Budget $2,400,000 | Gross $8,300,000 → ROI: 246% • A Clockwork Orange (1971): Budget $2,200,000 | Gross $27,033,812 → ROI: 1129%

Key Budget Allocation Categories

▸ Talent & Director Compensation Thrillers depend on compelling lead performances to sustain tension, making cast compensation a primary budget concern. Directors with proven thriller credentials command premium fees.

▸ Cinematography & Location Photography Thriller aesthetics demand specific visual languages — surveillance-style photography, claustrophobic framing, or expansive location work across multiple cities or countries.

▸ Editorial & Sound Post-Production Precision editing — controlling information flow, building suspense through pacing, and orchestrating reveals — requires extended post-production schedules.

Key Production Personnel

CAST: Michael Gambon, Richard Bohringer, Helen Mirren, Alan Howard, Tim Roth Key roles: Michael Gambon as Albert Spica; Richard Bohringer as Richard Boarst; Helen Mirren as Georgina Spica; Alan Howard as Michael

DIRECTOR: Peter Greenaway CINEMATOGRAPHY: Sacha Vierny MUSIC: Michael Nyman EDITING: John Wilson PRODUCTION: Allarts, Elsevier-Vendex Film Beheer, Allarts Cook, Erato Films, Film4 Productions, Erbograph Co. FILMED IN: France, United Kingdom

Box Office Performance

The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover earned $7,724,701 domestically, for a worldwide total of $7,724,701. The film skewed heavily domestic (100%), suggesting strong North American appeal.

Break-Even Analysis

Using the industry-standard 2.5x multiplier (P&A + exhibitor shares of 40–50% + distribution fees), The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover needed approximately $5,750,000 to break even. The film surpassed this threshold by $1,974,701.

Return on Investment (ROI)

Revenue: $7,724,701 Budget: $2,300,000 Net: $5,424,701 ROI: 235.9%

Profitability Assessment

VERDICT: Profitable

The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover delivered a solid return, earning $7,724,701 worldwide on a $2,300,000 budget (236% ROI). Combined with ancillary revenue, the film was a financial positive for Allarts.