28 Dark Behind-The-Scenes Facts That Change Your Perspective on These Movies

28 Disturbing Secrets From Movie Productions

 

If you think the film industry is just glitz and glamour, think again. Here are 28 chilling truths from behind the scenes that might change how you view some beloved films.

 

1. One of the most tragic incidents in Hollywood occurred during the filming of Twilight Zone: The Movie. On the last day of shooting, actor Vic Morrow and two child actors tragically lost their lives when a helicopter malfunctioned and crashed. The scene was never released in the film, but the incident raised serious questions about safety protocols. It was revealed that the children were not supposed to be on set that late, nor was a child welfare worker present, leading to accusations that filmmakers attempted to bypass labor laws.

2. Safety was a recurring issue during the shoot. Prior to the crash, crew members reported that real shotguns and ammunition were used during filming, raising alarms about the potential for injury.

 

3. In the film Come and See, actors faced extreme danger as they were shot at with live ammunition, with bullets narrowly missing them. In a shocking scene, a cow was shot with a machine gun, and the young lead actor was reportedly subjected to a starvation diet for authenticity.

 

4. The filming process for Life of Pi nearly ended in tragedy for the Bengal tiger on set. After a close call in a water tank, an on-set monitor expressed concerns in a confidential email, stressing the importance of keeping the incident quiet.

 

5. The use of wild animals on set has a sordid history. Roar required 132 big cats and many actors were injured by them, including actress Melanie Griffith, who required plastic surgery. Amazingly, no animals were harmed during the shoot.

 

6. In a disturbing incident during the filming of Every Which Way But Loose, a chimpanzee was tortured by its trainer. The animal was reportedly beaten to ensure compliance and tragically died after a brutal punishment.

 

7. Disney’s Snow Buddies brought in 30 puppies, but half were sick, with some ultimately dying. The American Humane Association refused to certify that “no animals were harmed,” citing unacceptable treatment.

 

8. Disney has faced criticism before; during the making of White Wilderness, lemmings were allegedly pushed off a cliff to fake mass suicide, which subsequently misled audiences.

 

9. Cannibal Holocaust caused a stir with its extreme violence, leading to the director being charged with obscenity and murder rumors. Real animal cruelty was also documented in the film.

 

10. The Conqueror was shot near a nuclear test site, which some believe led to a cancer epidemic among the cast and crew years later. Out of 91 people, over 40% developed cancer, and many, including star John Wayne, suffered fatal consequences.

 

11. Similarly, Stalker was filmed near a chemical plant, and several key individuals involved later succumbed to cancer, leading to speculation about radiation exposure on set.

 

12. The legacy of Jeepers Creepers is overshadowed by its director’s dark past of sexual crimes against children, leading to a troubling viewing experience.

 

13. The script for Léon: The Professional was influenced by director Luc Besson’s real-life relationship with a teenager, adding an unsettling layer to the film’s themes.

 

14. Candyman portrayed real bees in a scene, resulting in actor Tony Todd being stung multiple times as he negotiated compensation for the pain.

 

15. Virginia Madsen used hypnosis on set, which left her disoriented during filming to the point where she couldn’t remember her performance.

 

16. The director of Possession similarly hypnotized his cast, leading to severe mental strain for the actors, as the role’s demands were particularly intense.

 

17. During the production of Predator, a bodyguard was required for actor Sonny Landham due to frequent violent outbursts.

 

18. Real human skeletons were used in films like Poltergeist, with some props being discovered to be actual remains.

 

19. For Apocalypse Now, real cadavers were reportedly used, which were smuggled onto set, leading to an investigation.

 

20. Final Destination used real footage from a plane crash which had taken the lives of many, adding a haunting reality to its fictional depiction.

 

21. The film Game of Death featured footage from Bruce Lee’s funeral, including his corpse, which raised ethical concerns.

 

22. In Men Behind the Sun, shocking footage from a child’s autopsy allegedly made its way into the finished film.

 

23. The filming of Tora! Tora! Tora! nearly resulted in disaster when stunt performers found themselves genuinely fleeing an explosion gone awry.

 

24. The ending of Sliver was almost deadly as the crew crashed a helicopter into a volcano, resulting in a two-day recovery operation.

 

25. On the set of The Wizard of Oz, Judy Garland was subjected to a grueling diet and faced inappropriate behavior from her male co-stars.

 

26. Margaret Hamilton, who played the Wicked Witch, suffered severe burns due to a malfunction during filming.

 

27. Buddy Ebsen, the original Tin Man, suffered from toxic aluminum powder used in his makeup, resulting in a severe health crisis.

 

28. Lastly, the snow used in films like The Wizard of Oz was made of asbestos, exposing actors to potentially fatal health risks.

 

These dark truths remind us that while films entertain us, the realities behind their creation are often far more disturbing than the stories they tell. What’s the most shocking Hollywood story you know? Share your thoughts in the comments.