10 Shocking Cases of Animal Harm in Film Production

We often see the American Humane Association (AHA) seal proclaiming “No animals were harmed in the making of this movie” and assume all is well. However, the history of filmmaking reveals a disturbing pattern of animal mistreatment, sometimes intentional, for the sake of entertainment. Let’s dive into some shocking examples.

10 Rats—First Blood (1982)

First Blood, starring Sylvester Stallone, turned John Rambo into an ’80s action icon. While most of the on-screen deaths were movie magic, the rats weren’t so lucky. In a scene where Rambo is trapped in a mine, he kills several rats by crushing them against the walls.

The AHA reported that Stallone harmed and killed real rats during filming, even between takes. The AHA representative was unable to intervene but reported the abuse to the Canadian Council on Animal Care, who suggested waiting until the film’s release to point out the abuse.

9 Cockroach—Vampire’s Kiss (1988)

Nicolas Cage’s performance in Vampire’s Kiss is nothing short of memorable. Cage, known for his method acting, took things to an extreme when he ate live cockroaches on camera.

Originally, the script called for Cage’s character to eat a raw egg yolk. Cage suggested something more shocking: a live cockroach. Despite initial objections, the director approved it, and Cage consumed live roaches—twice—to see how far he would go.

8 Pig & Goose—Weekend (1967)

Jean-Luc Godard’s film, Weekend, uses horror and absurdity to portray a society rejecting consumerism. The film includes scenes where cannibals kill and cook a pig and goose on camera.

These scenes are disturbing because the animals are visibly struggling and in distress. Godard claimed he included these scenes because his audience would be more shocked by the death of an animal than a human.

7 Horses—Jesse James (1939)

Henry King’s Jesse James is notorious for its historical inaccuracies and mistreatment of horses. The film inadvertently led to the introduction of the AHA to Hollywood.

During a scene, two horses were forced off a 70-foot cliff, resulting in their deaths. Public outcry led the Motion Picture Association of America to allow the AHA to oversee the use of animals in film productions, setting guidelines for their treatment.

6 Bees—Candyman (1992)

Candyman, a horror sensation, is known for its terrifying use of bees. To achieve authenticity, director Bernard Rose used 200,000 real honeybees in a scene where bees spill from Candyman’s mouth.

Tony Todd, who played Candyman, was stung 27 times during filming. Each bee died after stinging him because honeybee stings are fatal when used on mammals.

5 Rabbit—Nekromantik (1987)

Nekromantik is infamous for its graphic portrayal of necrophilia. To add realism, director Jörg Buttgereit killed and skinned a rabbit on camera.

Buttgereit stated that he wanted to make viewers aware of what they were watching and to question their reasons for watching it, using the rabbit’s death to provoke a strong reaction.

4 Goat & Donkey—Land without Bread (1933)

Luis Bunuel’s documentary, Land without Bread, aimed to depict the poverty in Spain’s Las Hurdes region. However, many scenes were staged, including the deaths of a goat and a donkey.

Bunuel filmed a goat falling off a cliff and a donkey being stung to death by bees. These scenes were contrived to exaggerate the harshness of life in the region, leading to criticism for the unnecessary cruelty.

3 Octopus—Oldboy (2003)

Park Chan-wook’s Oldboy is a landmark in Korean cinema. The film features a scene where the protagonist eats live octopus.

Choi Min-sik, the actor, consumed several live octopuses for the scene. He tore their heads off with his teeth and discarded their remains. While raw octopus is a delicacy in South Korea, eating it live is not common and raised ethical concerns.

2 Muskrat, Monkeys, Giant Sea Turtle & Others—Cannibal Holocaust (1980)

Cannibal Holocaust is a controversial film banned in many countries for its graphic violence. The film includes rampant animal cruelty and slaughter.

Numerous animals were killed during filming, including a giant sea turtle—an endangered species. Director Ruggero Deodato defended the scenes, claiming they were included to appeal to the “Oriental market,” but the extent of the cruelty was undeniable.

1 Cow—Cow (2021)

Andrea Arnold’s Cow presents an unfiltered look at life on an English farm. The film follows the life of a dairy cow named Luma, capturing her experiences from insemination to slaughter.

The film concludes with Luma being shot in the head, a common practice in the slaughtering of cows. The film aims to show the reality of the dairy industry without overt political statements, allowing viewers to draw their own conclusions.

These instances reveal the disturbing reality that animals have often suffered for the sake of entertainment. While regulations have improved and awareness has increased, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and advocate for ethical treatment in filmmaking.

What are your thoughts on these cases? Leave a comment below!