In the captivating world of cinema, where the allure of lights, camera, and action often steals the spotlight, a darker reality persists behind the scenes. Instances where the relentless pursuit of cinematic brilliance collides with the imperative of health and safety have left an indelible mark on the film industry.
From the enchanting realms of Harry Potter to the tragedy of Brandon Lee, film sets stand as witnesses to calamities born out of negligence toward safety precautions. Following recent calls for improvements in health and safety for film and TV sets, let’s look at the top 3 catastrophies that have taken place on some of the biggest TV shows and films in history.
Harry Potter: The Boy Who Lived
While the magical saga of Harry Potter enchanted millions of muggles worldwide, the creation of these cinematic masterpieces harboured its share of shadows.
The film series brought magic to our screens, with the characters getting into all kinds of fantastical and dangerous situations, including flying on broomsticks, being chased by dementors, and fighting with human eating snakes. Beloved by all ages, the movies gave people the opportunity to temporarily escape reality, and immerse ourselves in the Wizarding World. But of course, the magic will only ever be cinema magic, and therefore will always rely on CGI effects and stunt doubles.
In 2009, during the filming of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” a stunt double suffered severe injuries in a flying scene rehearsal. The scene in question was when Voldemort’s snake Nagini strikes at Harry, forcing him backwards. The scene became a tragic reality after he plummeted to the ground after being accidentally released from his harness. Holmes spine was injured, and ultimately paralyzed him for life. The incident underscored the critical importance of meticulous safety protocols, particularly in high-risk scenarios involving stunts and special effects.
Holmes is now 34, but he continues to smile. Left paralysed from the chest down, he has since started a podcast on stunt performing with Daniel Radcliffe, and his entire story is now being told on HBO’s ‘The Boy Who Lived’.
The Crow’s Curse: Brandon Lee’s Tragic Tale
The curse of negligence cast its shadow in 1993 during the production of “The Crow”, resulting in the tragic demise of Brandon Lee, son of martial arts legend Bruce Lee. Aside from the horrifying ending for the lead actor, it seemed that many members of the film crew were injured whilst working on set. From severe weather to electrocutions, burns and even PTSD, the film was truly cursed from the beginning. Brandon Lee’s ending was all due to a prop gun. The prop gun was believed to be unloaded yet it discharged a live round during a scene, fatally wounding Lee.
Bob Rosen, the executive producer of the movie told the Times in an interview that a ‘piece of soft wadding normally comes out of the gun. But this time a metallic projectile came out’. This devastating incident emphasized the necessity of rigorous firearm safety checks and unwavering adherence to safety standards, even when dealing with seemingly innocuous props. The scene also caused PTSD for the actor Michael Massee, as he will forever be unfairly known as the man who killed Brandon Lee.
Freddie’s Leap: Andrew Flintoff’s Brush with Danger
In 2014, cricket legend turned entertainer Andrew Flintoff experienced firsthand the hazards lurking on film sets. During the shooting of a game show, a stunt involving a 25-foot free fall into water went awry due to inadequate execution of safety measures. Flintoff suffered a minor shoulder injury, serving as a stark reminder that seemingly straightforward stunts can turn perilous without meticulous attention to safety details.
A seemingly worse fate would befall him on the set of Top Gear just last year, causing serious facial injuries that he is still recovering from. While the nature and precise cause of these injuries is yet to be disclosed, the BBC has already paid a significant amount of compensation, and the show has been shelved for the foreseeable future.
Learning from Tragedy
These tragic incidents, though unfortunate, have spurred a re-evaluation of safety measures within the film industry. The quest for cinematic excellence should never compromise the well-being of those involved in the production. The lessons learned emphasize the paramount importance of:
Thorough Risk Assessments: Identifying potential hazards and implementing measures to mitigate risks before filming begins.
Rigorous Safety Training: Ensuring that all cast and crew members are adequately trained on safety protocols and emergency procedures.
Regular Equipment Checks: Performing routine inspections on all props, equipment, and safety gear to prevent malfunctions and accidents.
Clear Communication: Establishing open lines of communication between all members of the film crew to ensure everyone is aware of safety procedures and protocols.