Ben-Hur (1925) The chariot race in the silent classic Ben-Hur remains surprisingly thrilling today — but the intensity of the scene came at a significant price. At least 100 horses were killed during the filming of the scene.

How many horses died in the original Ben-Hur?

According to reports, over 100 horses were killed making gladiator epic Ben Hur, with the second-unit director reportedly ordered horses be shot and killed “if they limped,” without seeking veterinary care.

Did Charlton Heston ride the horses in Ben-Hur?

Yes, in close-up shots, that's really Charlton Heston (as Judah Ben-Hur) and Stephen Boyd (as his rival Messala) driving the chariots. They trained for months to learn how to drive the four-horse teams. In long shots, however, the chariots are driven by stuntmen.

What movie had the most animal abuse?

"Heaven's Gate" (1980)

Labeling "Heaven's Gate" as "popular" may be a stretch — it notoriously bombed at the box office — but it stands as perhaps the most notorious example of rampant on-set animal abuse.

How many horses died in Braveheart?

How many horses died in the filming of this movie? None, although the scenes of horses being wounded were so real it is said that Mel Gibson was investigated by an animal welfare organization.

Ben-Hur (3/10) Movie CLIP - The Chariot Race (1959) HD

Were any horses hurt in the filming of Braveheart?

Mel Gibson says he sent behind-the-scenes footage from Braveheart to the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) in order to prove that no horses were harmed during the making of the film.

How did they film Braveheart without hurting horses?

The battle scenes were all shot with pockets of people fighting in different areas, with the horses having their own area. The ground had been dug up and filled with sand for the horse falls. By using a long lens, it pulled the groups of people and animals together for the scenes.

What movie was banned for animal cruelty?

Censorship. Although the snuff film allegations were successfully refuted, the Italian courts decided to ban Cannibal Holocaust due to the genuine animal slayings, citing animal cruelty laws.

When did Hollywood stop killing animals in movies?

In 1972, the AHA coined the familiar phrase “No Animals Were Harmed,” which appears in the credits of movies. Despite the AHA, the film industry has a long history of animal abuse. In a 1939 Western entitled “Jesse James,” director Henry King sent a horse over a 70-foot cliff resulting in brutal and violent death.

Who turned down the role of Ben-Hur?

Several actors were offered the role of Judah Ben-Hur before it was accepted by Charlton Heston. Burt Lancaster stated he turned down the role because he found the script boring and belittling to Christianity. Paul Newman turned it down because he said he didn't have the legs to wear a tunic.

Is Ben-Hur 1959 historically accurate?

Not very. While many details are correct, there is one glaring error: the Roman admiral Quintus Arrius would not have been granted a triumph after defeating the pirates.

Is Ben-Hur a true story?

Ben-Hur is a story of a fictional hero named Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish nobleman who was falsely accused and convicted of an attempted assassination of the Roman governor of Judaea and consequently enslaved by the Romans. He becomes a successful charioteer.

Did any horse get hurt in Ben-Hur?

And while some of the actors or extras suffered minor injuries while filming, it is worth noting that no horse was damaged in the shooting of the impressive scene that even today, over 60 years later, still gives viewers goosebumps. The shooting of the chariot race scene took five weeks.

In what movie were the most horses killed?

For the filming of the climactic charge, one hundred twenty-five horses were trip-wired. Of those, twenty-five were killed outright or had to be put down afterward. The resulting public furor caused the US Congress to pass laws to protect animals used in motion pictures.

Where did they shoot Ben-Hur?

Entrance to Cinecittà in Rome, the largest film studio in Europe, where Ben-Hur was filmed. Italy was MGM's top choice for hosting the production. However, a number of countries—including France, Mexico, Spain, and the United Kingdom—were also considered.

What is the most banned movie ever?

Any film that focuses on religion is bound to cause controversy, and Martin Scorsese's The Last Temptation of Christ can claim to be the most banned movie in the world. The film stars Willem Dafoe as Jesus Christ and follows his life and the many temptations he faces in his journey.

What movie was banned in America?

Were any animals hurt filming got?

Were Any Horses Injured or Killed During the Filming of Game of Thrones? Surprisingly, no horses died or were hurt throughout the entire season of Game of Thrones. The crew responsible for the care of the horses took impeccable care of the animals used in the show. They were safe and in good care at all times.

Did John Wayne ride horses in his movies?

Western movie star John Wayne frequently rode a horse to complete his cowboy image. However, he grew an affinity for one animal in particular. Wayne went out of his way to ensure that he could ride the same horse named Dollar across seven of his movies.

What movie has used the most horses?

Set a world record for the most number of saddled horses ever used in one sequence for a motion picture: 800 horses.

How many horses died in Bite the Bullet?

A 4 Jun 1975 LAHExam news item stated that the American Humane Association put Bite the Bullet on a list of pictures for the organization's members to avoid, suggesting that horses were improperly treated on set. Brooks vehemently denied the allegation, stating that no horse died or was injured during production.

What do the Scots yell in Braveheart?

At one point, he yells, “Alba gu bràth”, and the battle cries of men erupt in pride of their country and anger towards their enemy, the British army.

How do they train horses to fall in movies?

In this field, the running W or “pull” has had its moment of glory: it is a system of restraints placed on the horse's forelegs and connected to the rider's hand by a cable. By pulling on the cable when the horse is thrown, the forelegs fold under the chest and the fall is inevitable.

Why was Murron killed in Braveheart?

William disguised himself and escaped, awaiting for Murron near a lake, but an English soldier hit her off her horse with a pike and brought her to the Magistrate. The magistrate, upset by the "repayment of his leniency", slit her throat with a knife in front of most of the townspeople.