Buzz
After watching movies with animals in danger, we often find relief in the credit message confirming that no animals were harmed during filming. Unfortunately, in some cases, these animals do experience real tragedies on set. This issue is largely connected to the organization responsible for overseeing animal welfare, the non-profit American Humane Association (AHA). The AHA’s funding mainly comes from the film industry, leading to an obvious conflict of interest—it's like your boss paying you to expose their wrongdoings and get them fired.
10. Apocalypse Now
Apocalypse Now is Francis Ford Coppola’s brutal tribute to violence, adapted from Joseph Conrad’s novel, Heart of Darkness. This bleak depiction of the Vietnam War follows a special forces operative sent to the jungle to terminate a rogue agent, Kurtz. After a violent journey, the operative kills Kurtz with a machete. The scene is punctuated by a disturbing moment showing a water buffalo being ritually slaughtered (skip to 2:20 in the video above).
The animal involved was reportedly scheduled to be slaughtered by the local Ifugao tribe, but this does not lessen the shock of the scene. Filmed in the Philippines, the movie was not overseen by the American Humane Association, and unsurprisingly, it was given an “unacceptable” rating by the group.
9. The Grey is a somber psychological thriller from 2011 that stars Liam Neeson, who leads a group of oil drillers fleeing from a pack of deadly wolves in the Alaskan wilderness. The film sparked outrage from groups like PETA due to its grim depiction of wolves—whose populations had only recently begun recovering from being listed as endangered in the U.S. It was later revealed that the production had purchased four wolf carcasses from a trapper, two of which were used as props in the movie, while the other two were cooked and consumed by the cast.
In a strange twist, the consumption of wolf meat was staged to match a scene where the characters roast and eat one of their attackers. When asked to describe the taste, Neeson shared, 'It was very gamey. But I’m Irish, so I’m used to odd stews. I can take it. Just throw a lot of carrots and onions in there and I’ll call it dinner.' Now that’s what we call method acting.
The legacy of The Adventures of Milo and Otis remains a complex one, as it is remembered both for its success as a heartwarming children's movie and for the serious ethical questions surrounding its production. This dichotomy continues to spark debate about the treatment of animals in filmmaking and the responsibilities of film producers.
8. The Adventures of Milo and Otis is a much-loved children's movie from Japan, featuring the adorable adventures of a kitten and a pug puppy. Originally released in 1986, the film quickly became Japan’s top box-office hit that year. However, animal rights activists in Australia, who had heard horrifying accounts from the film's set, called for a boycott, accusing the production of killing numerous cats and even breaking a kitten’s paw to make it appear clumsier on film.
The movie, known for its charming and adventurous narrative, has become controversial due to the disturbing reports from the set, leading to widespread criticism and protests from animal rights groups. These allegations have overshadowed the film’s popularity and raised awareness about ethical concerns in the making of animal-centric films.
Investigations conducted by several organizations, including the American Humane Society, failed to uncover concrete proof of abuse. However, if you decide to revisit this nostalgic classic, you may notice certain scenes—such as a bear attacking a pug or a kitten being tossed into the sea—that would have been impossible to film without some form of mistreatment.
7. The Charge of the Light Brigade is a 1936 movie starring Errol Flynn, which portrays the tragic cavalry charge during the Crimean War between Russia and an alliance of the United Kingdom, France, Sardinia, and the Ottoman Empire (present-day Turkey). The film’s climax focuses on the Battle of Balaclava, where British forces suffered a devastating defeat.
In an attempt to simulate horses collapsing after being shot, the filmmakers rigged the battlefield with trip wires (seen at 5:24 in the video). This resulted in the deaths of at least two dozen horses, some of which had to be put down later due to broken legs. Additionally, a stuntman lost his life during this dangerous sequence. The aftermath of this tragic event led to congressional intervention and the creation of new regulations governing the use of animals in film, including a ban on trip wires.
The brutal consequences of this film set prompted the introduction of stricter laws for the treatment of animals in Hollywood, forever changing how animals were used in motion pictures. The introduction of these regulations sought to prevent further tragedies and ensure the safety of animals in future film productions.
6. Life of Pi, the 2012 film directed by Ang Lee, is known for its stunning visuals and profound themes. It follows the journey of Pi Patel, a young man stranded on a lifeboat in the Pacific Ocean with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. The film raised ethical questions regarding the treatment of animals during production, as certain sequences involved complex CGI and real animals to bring the story to life.
Life of Pi is a breathtaking adventure drama that tells the story of an Indian boy named Pi, stranded on a lifeboat in the Pacific Ocean. His survival is made even more complicated by the presence of a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker, once part of his family’s zoo. While most of the tiger scenes were created using CGI, some were filmed with a real tiger named King. During one particular sequence, where King was filmed swimming in a water tank, an accident nearly resulted in the tiger's death, with his handler barely managing to save him. Thankfully, this incident had a positive resolution, though it sparked significant controversy.
The water tank scene, filmed in Taiwan, had oversight from an American Humane Association representative, Gina Johnson. Despite the close call with King, Johnson reported that the set of Pi was safe. However, a leaked email she sent to a colleague revealed more details: 'This one take with him just went really bad and he got lost trying to swim to the side. Damn near drowned. I think this goes without saying but DON’T MENTION THIS TO ANYONE, ESPECIALLY THE OFFICE! Have downplayed the f—k out of it.' Worse, Johnson was found to have a romantic relationship with a production executive, which led to her resignation from the AHA after the scandal broke in November 2013.
5. Snow Buddies is another overly sweet family film, featuring a group of golden retriever puppies stranded in Alaska who become sled dogs. Like many movies on this list, the production required many puppies to fill various roles. Unfortunately, Disney acquired these puppies too young, bringing them onto the set at around six weeks old, instead of the mandatory eight weeks. This premature separation from their mothers created issues that would have long-lasting consequences.
The young puppies, who were not properly vaccinated, spread dangerous diseases on set, including parvovirus, giardia, and coccidia parasites. As a result, many of the dogs fell ill, with over a dozen requiring medical attention. Tragically, five of the puppies ultimately died as a result of these complications.
The production of Snow Buddies, while aimed at creating a heartwarming film, is overshadowed by the grim reality of animal mistreatment behind the scenes. The consequences of rushing the puppies into work too soon and neglecting their health left a tragic mark on the film's legacy, raising concerns about the treatment of animals in the film industry.
4. Manderlay
Manderlay is a dark and unsettling narrative that portrays the continuation of slavery in America into the 20th century. Set on a plantation, animals are naturally featured in the story. One controversial scene was intended to show a donkey being slaughtered. When efforts to use a fake donkey failed, director Lars Von Trier obtained a donkey already marked for slaughter and administered a lethal injection, allowing its carcass to be used in the film.
This led to actor John C. Reilly, known for his comedic roles alongside Will Ferrell, to quit the project. Von Trier ultimately removed the scene from the final cut, worried that the backlash would ruin his film. However, he later stated that the donkey would have faced an even worse fate had he not purchased it.
3. Heaven’s Gate
In 1978, director Michael Cimino released The Deer Hunter, winning Oscars for Best Director and Best Picture. His career, however, took a dramatic downfall with his next project, Heaven’s Gate, a film about the clash between landowners and immigrants in the Old West. The film became a critical and financial disaster, often cited as one of the worst films ever made. In addition, Heaven’s Gate generated significant controversy for its treatment of animals during production.
The AHA was actually banned from the set of this film, and for good reason: the cruelty toward animals was truly shocking. On-set rumors suggested that cows were butchered to provide 'fake' blood for the actors. During one battle scene, four horses were reportedly killed, including one that was blown up with dynamite. Real cockfights were staged, and cattle were disemboweled to use their entrails as props. One of the horse owners filed a lawsuit after their animal was abused on set, which was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount. Following this scandal, the Screen Actors Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers passed a referendum mandating the presence of the AHA on set for all future films.
2. Ben-Hur
The 1925 film Ben-Hur follows the journey of an enslaved Jewish prince seeking revenge during Roman times. Despite featuring Jesus Christ, Ben-Hur became notorious for setting a grim standard for animal cruelty in cinema. Over 100 horses reportedly sacrificed their lives to complete the intense chariot race scene, which lasted for weeks under the scorching California heat. Injured animals were allegedly shown little mercy. Francis X. Bushman, who portrayed Messala (Ben-Hur’s rival in the race), stated, 'If it limped, they shot it.' Despite being the most expensive silent film ever made at $3.9 million, Ben-Hur flopped at the box office.
1. Speed Racer
Speed Racer is a live-action adaptation of the Japanese animated series, directed by the Wachowskis (famous for the Matrix trilogy). This is one of the few films that the AHA refused to support, calling it 'unacceptable.' This decision was based on an incident where one of the chimpanzees portraying 'Chim-Chim' bit an actor without provocation and was allegedly beaten in retaliation.
During a later stage of the production, a chimpanzee was struck by a trainer out of frustration while rehearsing. This took place in front of an AHA monitor, and it was recognized as a clear breach of AHA guidelines, which prohibit physically punishing animals and promote positive reinforcement techniques instead. The monitor immediately halted the session and reported the incident to the producers. Fortunately, the chimp did not suffer any injuries.
