Random Movie Facts

The Terminator (1984)

One afternoon during a break in filming, Arnold Schwarzenegger went into a restaurant in downtown L.A. to get some lunch and realized all too late that he was still in Terminator makeup - with a missing eye, exposed jawbone and burned flesh.

Zodiac (2007)

According to David Fincher, Robert Downey Jr. was so exhausted while making Zodiac because the film was shot digitally (leaving them with fewer resets and fewer breaks) that he decided to leave jars of his urine around the set as a form of protest.

Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)

For his screen test for Star Trek Into Darkness, Benedict Cumberbatch recorded it at his best friend’s kitchen using an iPhone.

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

The homeless people who worked as extras received a full day's pay at minimum wage ($8.62/hr) and free catered meals. For some it was the first money they'd made in a while.

Alien (1979)

Ridley Scott found a practical solution to lighting the aliens' egg chamber by borrowing blue laser lighting from The Who, who were rehearsing their stage show in the soundstage next door.

Inception (2010)

The running time of 2 hours 28 min is a reference to the original length of Édith Piaf's song "Non, je ne regrette rien", which lasts (on its first recorded edition) 2 minutes 28 seconds.

Home Alone (1990)

Buzz's girlfriend is actually a boy in a wig. Director John Hughes thought the joke would've been too cruel if it was a girl.

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)

Qui-Gon Jinn’s communication device is just a Sensor Excel Razor for women.

Cannibal Holocaust (1980)

The director of Cannibal Holocaust had to prove in court that the actors were still alive and didn't get killed during the movie.

The Great Escape (1963)

The cast includes one genuine WWII PoW in Donald Pleasence, who had been shot down during a raid on Agenville and imprisoned for a year in a Stalag Luft, where he produced and acted in plays.

Poltergeist (1982)

The production crew used real human skeletons in the pool because they were cheaper to purchase than plastic ones. JoBeth Williams was hesitant about shooting the swimming pool scene because of the large amount of electrical equipment positioned over and around the pool. In order to comfort her, Steven Spielberg crawled in the pool with her to shoot the screen. Spielberg told her, "Now if a light falls in, we will both fry." The strategy worked and Williams got in the pool.

Jaws (1975)

During a set visit, George Lucas put his head in Bruce The Shark's mouth and Steven Spielberg closed the jaws. The prank backfired when the prop malfunctioned and Lucas got stuck.

Spider-man (2002)

The car driven by Uncle Ben is Sam Raimi's lucky Oldsmobile Delta 88, which appears in all of the director's films.

Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)

In an interview in 1989, John Candy fondly recalls the “Two Pillows” scene. In it he said that the shot took numerous takes due to them laughing constantly when they positioned themselves in the bed. He also said that Patsy Cline’s “Back In Baby’s Arms” was played during filming and every time it started they and the film crew would collapse into laughter and it would take them up to an hour to compose themselves.

The Godfather (1972)

Although popular myth suggests that Marlon Brando padded his cheeks with cotton wool to play Vito Corleone, he did so only for the audition. Before the actual filming began, he had a mouthpiece specially created by a dentist.

Predator (1987)

The actor who flew ‘da choppa’ away in the last scene of Predator – Kevin Peter Hall – also played the role of The Predator.

Thelma And Louise (1991)

Ridley Scott had vetoed the idea of Louise kissing Thelma at the end, but Sarandon did it anyway without telling him. It was the last shot on the last day, and Scott had no choice but to use it.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

Charlie Sheen stayed awake for 48 hours to achieve a suitably wasted look for his cameo as a drugged-up felon. There's no evidence to suggest he was drinking tiger blood.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

In the chip removal scene, Sarah's reflection is actually Linda Hamilton's twin sister Leslie. She also appears as the T-1000 imitating Sarah.

Groundhog Day (1993)

Bill Murray was bitten by the groundhog twice during shooting. Murray had to have anti rabies injections because the bites were so severe.

The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

The FX bods at Industrial Light & Magic had fun at George Lucas' expense by including random objects into the asteroid field, including a potato and a shoe.

Schindler's List (1993)

In 2002, Steven Spielberg finally finished college after a 35-year hiatus. He turned in Schindler's List for his student film requirement.

Psycho (1960)

First American film ever to show a toilet flushing on screen.

The Shining (1980)

The number of the spooky room in Stephen King's novel - 217 - was changed in the film to 237 at the request of the Timberline Lodge in Oregon, which provided the exteriors for the Overlook Hotel and was worried nobody would want to stay in its actual Room 217.

Rocky (1976)

The scene where Rocky Balboa points out a mistake in the poster at the match venue was unscripted; Sylvester Stallone was forced to add the line because the art department made a genuine mistake.

Batman Returns (1992)

The Catwoman costume was actually vacuum sealed on to Michelle Pfeiffer and she actually had only a short amount of time to perform before she would have to have it opened or she could become light headed and pass out. It was so tight that she often had trouble hearing her own voice. Tim Burton had to tell her to lower her voice register because she would often shout her dialogue instead of just saying it.

Blade Runner (1982)

The title has nothing to do with the Philip K. Dick story the film is based on. Instead, comes from Alan E. Nourse's 1974 novel about the supply of black market medical supplies in a dystopian future.

Jurassic Park (1993)

Hurricane Iniki ravaged the Hawaiian island of Kaua'i, where the movie was shot, but Richard Attenborough managed to sleep through it. When questioned how by Steven Spielberg, Dickie replied: "Dear boy, I survived the blitz!"

E.T. The Extra Terrestrial (1982)

Terrified by the new threat of piracy, Universal had the video cassettes made from green plastic. It obviously worked, as the release broke home entertainment records.

The Big Lebowski (1998)

Allen Klein, the author of the song used in the closing credits of The Big Lebowski, wanted $150,000 for its use. He was persuaded to watch the film first and got as far as the scene where The Dude says, “I hate The fuckin’ Eagles, man!” At which point, Klein stood up and told them they could have the song for free. Because fuck The Eagles.

Black Swan (2010)

Natalie Portman dislocated her rib during production and discovered that the film's budget was so low they couldn't afford a medic. The actress gave up her trailer so one could be hired.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)

A whopping 532 individual vehicles were destroyed during the making of the third Transformers movie. That's somewhat excessive even for 'splosion obsessed Michael Bay.

Monsters, Inc. (2001)

Mary Gibbs, who played Boo, was so young that it proved difficult to get her to stand in the recording studio and act her lines. Instead, they simply followed her around with a microphone and cut Boo's lines together from the things she said while she played.

The Passion of the Christ (2004)

Jim Caviezel was actually struck by lightning during the Sermon On The Mount Scene.

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Freeze-framing during the Well of Souls scene you can notice a golden pillar with a tiny engraving of R2D2 and C3PO from Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977).

Trainspotting (1996)

Although it looks thoroughly off-putting, the shit smeared all over the place in the 'Worst Toilet in Scotland' scene was actually made from chocolate and smelled quite pleasant.

Alien (1979)

The enhance the scale of the Space Jockey in Alien, Ridley Scott filmed his children in miniature space suits.

The Dark Knight (2008)

Michael Caine was so frightened the first time he saw Heath Ledger as The Joker that he forgot his lines. The scene continued on as Nolan didn’t see a point in re-doing the scene and the lines were cut as a result.

Citizen Kane (1941)

During the scene where Kane chases Jim Gettys down a staircase, Orson Welles tripped, chipped his anklebone and spent two weeks acting with metal braces or directing from a wheelchair.

Star Wars (1977)

Darth Vader is on screen for a mere 12 minutes in the original Star Wars.

James Bond Movies Starring Sean Connery

Sean Connery used various hairpieces throughout his tenure as James Bond as he began losing his hair when he was in his late teens.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)

When Indy, Shortround and Willy get to the airfield just after being chased by Lau, the officer that leads them out of the car and takes them to the plane is none other then Dan Aykroyd. You cant make out his face but pay careful attention to the voice.

Halloween (1978)

The mask that Michael Myers wears is actually a Captain Kirk mask painted white.

Silence Of The Lambs (1992)

“A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.” He then hisses and sucks at Starling in a truly revolting and disturbing manner, forever putting an entire generation off that particular variety of wine. Hollywood rumour says that this hissing was just a joke thrown in by Hopkins. He never intended it to be so frightening, not to mention appearing in the final cut and becoming so utterly conspicuous.