Buzz
Crafting a film demands tremendous effort, particularly when there’s immense excitement and anticipation building up to its premiere. Extended hours and challenging environments often result in off-camera moments that starkly contrast with the on-screen action, making them unforgettable. This list highlights some of these behind-the-scenes glimpses that remain remarkable even years later.
10. Cameron in the Water
Titanic created waves in 1997, breaking records to become the highest-grossing film of its time. The movie is packed with unforgettable and often-quoted moments, such as Rose contemplating jumping off the ship, Jack declaring himself king of the world, the intimate car scene, the band playing as chaos ensues, and the poignant moment of a mother comforting her children with a bedtime story, aware of their impending fate.
Yet, the most cherished moment for many fans occurs at the climax, where Rose and Jack are stranded in the freezing water, and Jack is unable to climb onto the floating door. He succumbs to hypothermia in the icy Atlantic and disappears beneath the waves. A legendary behind-the-scenes image captures Cameron in the water alongside Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio during the filming of this emotional sequence, showcasing his dedication to achieving cinematic perfection.
9. Tobe Hooper in Action
Poltergeist (1982), directed by Tobe Hooper and penned by Steven Spielberg, became a box office sensation, earning over $120 million. The film also gained notoriety for its alleged curse, following the untimely deaths of several cast members.
Poltergeist is filled with memorable scenes, such as the eerie 'spirits in the TV' and the chilling skeletons in the swimming pool. The photo below shows Tobe Hooper directing another iconic moment: Robbie being dragged through his bedroom window by a 'malevolent, possessed tree.'
8. The Cheerful Twins
The Shining, released in 1980, brought to life what might be the most unsettling twins in cinematic history. Though their appearances in the film are brief, they left a lasting impression, haunting viewers for years. It’s refreshing to see that the twins, portrayed by Lisa and Louise Burns, were just ordinary, happy children off-screen. This photo captures them smiling and enjoying themselves, even while dressed in their eerie, matching outfits.
7. Crafting a Masterpiece
Jaws, which hit theaters in 1975, became a global phenomenon, earning over $470 million from a modest $9 million budget. It remains a beloved thriller that audiences still enjoy today. Unsurprisingly, numerous behind-the-scenes photos were captured during production, but the most iconic ones feature Bruce, the giant mechanical shark. The image below showcases Bruce in full splendor during an outdoor shoot. As for Joe, it’s unclear what he’s up to—perhaps flossing?
6. The Art of Bullet-Time
Long before John Wick, there was Neo. The Matrix is a groundbreaking sci-fi action film that divides audiences into those who adore it and those who passionately critique it. The movie is renowned for its revolutionary bullet-time sequences, the iconic red or blue pill choice, and the enigmatic Oracle. The photo below captures Keanu Reeves as Neo, fully suited and prepared to create cinematic magic in front of a green screen.
5. Joining the Action
Many scenes in Saving Private Ryan were lauded for their raw and realistic portrayal of the harrowing experiences soldiers endured during World War II. Among the most poignant moments is the heart-wrenching scene where a mother receives the devastating news that three of her four sons have perished in battle. In this photo, Steven Spielberg is seen discussing the intricacies of the scene with Tom Hanks during filming.
4. Believing a Man Can Fly
In 1951, Lippert Pictures introduced the first Superman feature film, Superman and the Mole Men. Yet, when discussing Superman, it’s impossible not to associate the role with Christopher Reeve, who truly made it legendary. Superman: The Movie debuted in 1978, accompanied by the tagline “You’ll believe a man can fly,” which heightened the excitement and anticipation. The film, made on a $55 million budget, grossed over $300 million and received critical acclaim, along with three Academy Award nominations.
This image captures Christopher Reeve on set during production, accompanied by Colin Chilvers, the Director of Special Effects.
3. The Empire Strikes Back
The iconic crawling opening credits of the Star Wars saga are nearly as legendary as the films themselves. These crawls provide essential backstory and context, presenting a wall of text against a star-filled background. This simple yet effective technique has been parodied by popular TV shows like The Big Bang Theory and Glee, the latter referencing the Star Wars Holiday Special.
This behind-the-scenes photo, surprisingly low-tech, reveals the process behind filming the opening crawl for The Empire Strikes Back. The Star Wars crawls drew inspiration from similar sequences in Flash Gordon and the 1940s Buck Rogers serials.
2. Welcome to Jurassic Park
The iconic line ‘Welcome to Jurassic Park’ still evokes a thrill of excitement. Jurassic Park was a monumental success in 1993, earning over $1 billion globally. The massive T-Rex became the star, both on and off the screen. In this photo, a crew member prepares the colossal animatronic dinosaur for filming. The animatronic T-Rex was used for the intense car scene, while CGI was employed for full-body shots in other sequences.
1. Have the Lambs Stopped Screaming?
While Sir Anthony Hopkins is now widely recognized for his portrayal of Odin, in 1991, he immortalized one of cinema’s most chilling characters: Dr. Hannibal Lecter. The Silence of the Lambs, made on a modest $19 million budget, soared to over $270 million globally, securing its place as the fifth highest-grossing film of the year. It also clinched five Academy Awards.
Numerous behind-the-scenes photos were captured during filming, but the most unsettling one features Hopkins attempting to eat a french fry while wearing his menacing toothy mask.
