Alexander is a 2004 epic historical drama film based on the life of the ancient Macedonian general and king Alexander the Great. It was co-written and directed by Oliver Stone and starred Colin Farrell. The film's original screenplay was derived in part from the book Alexander the Great, published in 1973 by the University of Oxford historian Robin Lane Fox. After release, it performed well in Europe, but the American critical reaction was mixed to negative. It grossed $167 million worldwide against a $155 million budget, thus making it a commercial failure.