The Controversy of Roar: Real Lions in Film
A dive into the dangerous and controversial use of real lions in the 1981 film Roar, and the reactions of stuntmen to the risky scenes.
The History of Roar
Stuntmen React to Bad & Great Hollywood Stunts 42
Released in 1981, Roar is a film that pushed the boundaries of filmmaking by using real lions as part of its cast. The movie follows a family living on a nature preserve in Africa with lions, and it was a project close to the heart of its creator, Noel Marshall. Starring alongside Marshall were his real-life wife, Tippi Hedren, her daughter Melanie Griffith, and his sons John and Jerry Marshall. The film took a total of 11 years to complete production, and it infamously used real lions, resulting in numerous injuries and earning the title of one of the most dangerous movies ever made.
A lion in Roar
In the latest episode of Corridor Crew's 'Stuntmen React' series, stuntman Gui DaSilva-Greene appeared alongside Wren Weichman and Niko Pueringer to share their reactions to Roar. The crew delved into the history behind the movie and reacted to some 'insane' scenes involving real lions, which resulted in serious injuries for the cast and crew, including the cinematographer, Jan de Bont, who was 'scalped' by a lion. The discussion also raised questions about the exploitation of animals and the ethical considerations of using real lions in film.
Reactions to Roar's Real Lions
Niko Pueringer, one of the members of Corridor Crew, expressed conflicting sentiments about Roar, calling it a 'unique gem of a movie' while also highlighting its irresponsibility and potential exploitation of animals. The crew discussed the hazardous nature of the scenes involving real lions and questioned whether it should even be considered as stunt work. Stuntman Gui DaSilva-Greene emphasized the extreme danger of working with real lions and declared that it was beyond his expertise.
The use of real lions in Roar was conceived by Noel Marshall and Tippi Hedren after witnessing a farmhouse overrun by a pride of lions in Mozambique due to increased poaching. Despite warnings from animal tamers, the couple decided to use real lions in the film. They started rescuing and training their own lions, but the production still saw many untrained lions being used, resulting in a staggering number of injuries. The crew and cast, including Noel Marshall and cinematographer Jan de Bont, suffered severe injuries, and it's estimated that at least half of the 140-person crew was injured during production.
The Danger and Controversy of Filming with Real Lions
Roar stands as a classic case study in the perilous nature of using real lions in film production. Despite the initial inspiration for the film and the efforts to train and introduce the lions, the use of real lions led to a multitude of injuries, some of which were life-threatening. The number of injuries reported during the first two years of filming alone was staggering, and it's been estimated that over 100 people were injured during the production of the movie.
The controversy surrounding Roar brings to light the ethical considerations and dangers of using real animals in film. The crew's reactions to the scenes involving real lions underscore the gravity of the situation, raising questions about the responsibility of filmmakers and the treatment of animals in the pursuit of creative expression. Roar serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the importance of avoiding the use of real lions in filmmaking due to the inherent risks and potential harm involved.
