As someone who has spent countless hours watching films and documentaries, I can confidently say that I have never seen a movie as dangerous as “Roar.” The amount of courage and determination it took for the cast and crew to complete this film is nothing short of astounding.
The movie business often has a deceptive appearance of safety, but it can be much more hazardous than one might think from an outside perspective. There are numerous tales about risky film sets, ranging from the actual accident on the set of “Twilight Zone: The Movie,” to Tom Cruise’s death-defying stunts in the “Mission: Impossible” series. However, it’s important to note that the most dangerous movie ever made just recently marked its 43rd anniversary in October 2024: the 1981 horror comedy film “Roar,” which was written, directed, and starred Noel Marshall along with his real-life family, including his wife Tippi Hedren and stepdaughter Melanie Griffith.
In the movie “Roar,” Marshall portrays a character named Hank, who is a wildlife conservationist living in Tanzania, studying big cats’ behavior. However, a peaceful visit from his family – wife Madelaine (Hedren) and children Melanie, John, and Jerry (playing roles identical to their real-life names) – takes an unexpected turn when a group of lions becomes aggressive, causing chaos as the family struggles to fend off attacks from some of nature’s deadliest top predators.
The movie was launched in 1981, after an unfortunate 11-year production process that ended disastrously at the box office. Despite its hefty $17 million budget, it managed to recoup only $10 million. As John Marshall points out, this flop was not surprising given the movie featured a comedy plot with more than 100 untrained big cats. However, surprisingly, this once-notorious film has had a positive impact on wildlife conservation in reality. Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or not, it’s safe to say that being part of this film crew is something you’d be grateful to have avoided.
Marc Maron reminded the Internet about the behind-the-scenes mayhem of Roar
Many folks might not be familiar with the movie “Roar,” but fortunately, comedian Marc Maron recently shared on his Instagram about this cult classic. According to Maron, “It is the wildest, most disorderly thing I’ve ever witnessed… The film is dreadful, yet it features people attempting to act natural while living with 40 lions inside their home.
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In the production of this movie, several lions were privately owned by Noel Marshall and Tippi Hedren, which was against the law back then. This led to the couple moving these big cats to a ranch in Acton, California. Due to financial difficulties in managing both a large crew and numerous animals, the Marshall family had to assume multiple roles on set. John, Noel’s eldest son, handled tasks like boom mic operation, animal management, and even veterinary care alongside his acting duties. The majority of the remaining crew were non-union workers.
Starting in 1976, the movie started being filmed, allotting six months for photography. However, filming with live, potentially dangerous animals proved to be a challenge not initially accounted for. Simple scenes required weeks to finish, and often, only one successful take resulted from a day’s shooting. Despite the film’s aim of highlighting animal endangerment, it was actually the presence of these big cats that posed a risk to the cast and crew during the making of “Roar.
Melanie Griffith suffered a serious injury on set
Regardless of whether any mishaps occurred during the filming of “Roar,” it likely would’ve retained its reputation as one of the most perilous films ever produced due to its inherent risks. One instance, for example, involved a scene where Tippi Hedren’s character was awakened by a jaguar licking her face; this daring stunt hadn’t been tried before, and it was accomplished by applying honey to the actress’ skin. This risky move was particularly hazardous since the animal handlers were too distant to intervene if the jaguar had bitten her. Remarkably, this scene turned out to be a fortunate turn of events given the numerous accidents and injuries that transpired on set.
During the filming process, Noel Marshall acquired blood poisoning from a bite on his hand, while Hedren was admitted to the hospital due to injuries sustained during a scene involving an elephant that resulted in fractured bones and gangrene. Unfortunately, each member of the Marshall family encountered attacks by animals and endured severe injuries, with Melanie Griffith being particularly affected. Since her parents kept big cats as pets, Griffith often shared a bed with these dangerous creatures while growing up. However, the set of “Roar” presented her with an almost fatal encounter that surpassed any previous close calls.
In the making of a single movie scene, young Lina Griffith was deeply wounded on her face by a lion, necessitating plastic surgery to avoid disfigurement. The incident also left several team members, among them Director of Photography Jan de Bont, severely injured. This led to a significant number of staff changes. Regrettably, some of these aggressive encounters were included in the film’s final version, showcasing Griffith’s distressing mauling as well as vivid depictions of blood and gore.
Tippi Hedren started a foundation for wildlife preservation
The level of risk on the set of the movie “Roar” might lead a rational person to wonder why production didn’t halt. As John, Noel’s son, shared with Entertainment Weekly, the family was resolute in their joint endurance, stating, “It’s about handling lions and tigers. If you exhibit fear, it’s over for you. You must be stronger than them – stronger than anything life has to offer.” Fortunately, no one lost their life during the filming of “Roar,” but the marriage between Noel Marshall and Tippi Hedren appears to have suffered a significant strain post-production.
Each member of the Marshall family reacted uniquely to the aftermath of the movie “Roar.” Melanie Griffith has remained relatively quiet about the film in public discussions, whereas John Marshall has been actively engaged with theatrical re-releases throughout the years. Notably, the most significant impact of “Roar” was that Tippi Hedren, following her divorce from Marshall, deepened her commitment to big cat conservation efforts.
1983 saw Tippi Hedren founding The Roar Foundation with the aim of establishing Shambala Preserve, a sanctuary for animals, at the same California location where she and Marshall had previously kept their big cats. Today, Shambala Preserve continues to operate, with 94-year-old Hedren still actively involved as the president of The Roar Foundation. It’s inspiring to think that despite significant advancements in the film industry’s handling of live animals, a movie like “Roar” can still make a positive difference by aiding in the rescue and conservation of endangered big cat species.
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2024-12-17 20:30