12 films that had on-set deaths
If you think on-set deaths only occurred before the 'healthy and safety' era, you'd be wrong. There are even deaths on-set from as recent as the beginning of this year. Sadly, when dangerous stunts are involved, accidents can happen.
Here are 12 films with on-set deaths that you probably never knew about.
Ben Hur (1925)
A stuntman was infamously killed during the filming of the chariot race when his wheel broke while turning a corner, throwing him from the chariot. He later died of internal injuries. While this is the only confirmed death on set, there is still debate as to whether the studio covered up the death of extras during the naval battle scene. Many of the extras lied about being able to swim, and after a controlled fire became uncontrolled, some background fell into the water. When actor Francis X. Bushman told the director people were drowning, he reportedly replied " I can't help it, those ships cost me $40,000 apiece."
Noah's Ark (1928)
During the filming of the "great flood" scene, three extras drowned, one man lost his leg, and numerous people suffered broken bones when 600,000 gallons of water flooded the area. This incident lead directly to the creation of safety regulations in film. The original 2 hour 15 minute film is considered lost, though a 108 minute version is in existence.
The Viking (1931)
While trying to film an iceberg for the film (originally titled White Thunder), an explosion rocked the ship that the crew was using. It is unknown what caused the explosion. In all, 28 people were killed in the explosion, the largest loss of human life in film production history. The ship that exploded was the SS Viking, and the production company proceeded to change the name of the film and rush post-production in order to capitalise on the event.
They Died With Their Boots On (1941)
Three people died during the production of this 1941 civil war epic. One extra fell off the back of his horse and broke his neck. A stuntman died of a heart attack on set. Finally, actor Jack Budlong insisted on using a real sabre during a cavalry charge scene. When an explosion knocked Budlong off his steed, he was impaled on his own sword.
The Horse Soldiers (1959)
During a climatic battle scene, stuntman Fred Kennedy fell off his horse and broke his neck, dying from his injury. Director John Ford was so distraught, he refused to film the planned finale of the film. As such, the film ends almost abruptly. According to those on the project, Ford simply lost interest in completing the project due to his grief.
Flower on Stone (1962)
Soviet actress Inna Burduchenko died from third degree burns she suffered from while on set of the Soviet drama. The scene involved the young actress being in a burning barn. The barn collapsed on top of Burduchenko, and she died fifteen days later. She was three months pregnant at the time of the accident.
Shark! (1969)
Stuntman Jose Marcos was mauled to death by a shark that was thought to be sedated. Originally titled Caine, the production company changed the name of the film and rushed it into theaters in order to capitalise on the infamy of the attack. The attack was completely caught on film, and part of it was released in the final version of the film.
Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)
Stunt actor Cliff Wenger Jr. was killed by an explosion while filming in Acapulco, Mexico.
The Crow (1994)
Arguably the most infamous on set death in history, Bruce Lee's son Brandon Lee was killed filming his most iconic role. During the filming of a scene in which Lee's character gets shot at by actor Michael Massee, a defective blank cartridge was fired, discharging left over residue from the barrel into Lee's abdomen with the force of a real bullet. The production had sent their gun safety expert home early, leaving it in the hands of the prop department, who did not know the proper rules for checking the firearms before and after being handled on set. Lee was rushed to the hospital, but after six hours of surgery, they were unable to save the young actor. He was 28 years old. The film was later completed using script rewrites, stunt doubles, and digital post-production.
xXx (2002)
Vin Diesel's stunt double Harry O'Connor was killed during a parasailing action sequence during filming in Prague. O'Connor struck a pillar on the Palacky Bridge, dying instantly. The accident occurred during the second take. The first take, and O'Connor's final performance, can be seen in the finished film.
Jumper (2008)
David Ritchie, a 56-year old set dresser, was struck and killed by frozen debris that was part of the set they were dismantling in cold conditions.
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016)
After an on-set motorcycle accident, severely injured stuntwoman Olivia Jackson fell into a two week coma and had to have her left arm amputated. A few days later, crew member Ricardo Cornelius was crushed to death by a US Army issue Hummer that was being used as a prop.
Source: https://imgur.com/a/6cg4j
