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Noah's Ark 1928 flood scene

The first stunt safety regulations in Hollywood didn't arrive until 1929, and the reason was a catastrophe that happened on the set of Noah's Ark just one year prior. Back in 1928, Warner Bros. committed over $1 million to this massive production, specifically for a climactic flood sequence designed to look terrifyingly real. Director Michael Curtiz and producer Darryl F. Zanuck decided to fill overhead tanks with 600,000 gallons of water rather than use any kind of safety dummies. Below those tanks stood approximately 7,500 untrained extras, including a 21-year-old John Wayne, all completely unaware of the danger hanging above them. Cinematographer Hal Mohr had actually quit the production after Curtiz refused to swap the people for mannequins. Before leaving, Mohr warned the team that people would die, but Curtiz simply stated they were going to have to take their chances. The water was released, instantly destroying the temple set and crushing the crowd beneath it. Three extras drowned right on camera while one man required an amputation on site. Dozens more suffered broken bones, forcing 35 ambulances to rush the scene to treat over 100 casualties. When asked about the disaster, Darryl F. Zanuck responded with the phrase That's show business. In the aftermath, the studio reduced the film's runtime from 135 minutes to 100 minutes and removed all footage depicting the deaths from the final cut. Public outrage from the event forced the industry to finally implement rules, proving that human lives cost more than a single great shot.

2mo

Professional Portal ☀️@professional_portal

Follow

Noah's Ark 1928 flood scene

The first stunt safety regulations in Hollywood didn't arrive until 1929, and the reason was a catastrophe that happened on the set of Noah's Ark just one year prior. Back in 1928, Warner Bros. committed over $1 million to this massive production, specifically for a climactic flood sequence designed to look terrifyingly real. Director Michael Curtiz and producer Darryl F. Zanuck decided to fill overhead tanks with 600,000 gallons of water rather than use any kind of safety dummies. Below those tanks stood approximately 7,500 untrained extras, including a 21-year-old John Wayne, all completely unaware of the danger hanging above them. Cinematographer Hal Mohr had actually quit the production after Curtiz refused to swap the people for mannequins. Before leaving, Mohr warned the team that people would die, but Curtiz simply stated they were going to have to take their chances. The water was released, instantly destroying the temple set and crushing the crowd beneath it. Three extras drowned right on camera while one man required an amputation on site. Dozens more suffered broken bones, forcing 35 ambulances to rush the scene to treat over 100 casualties. When asked about the disaster, Darryl F. Zanuck responded with the phrase That's show business. In the aftermath, the studio reduced the film's runtime from 135 minutes to 100 minutes and removed all footage depicting the deaths from the final cut. Public outrage from the event forced the industry to finally implement rules, proving that human lives cost more than a single great shot.

2mo