The Making of The Abyss was a Sh*t Show (Remastered)

Рет қаралды 975,887

Күн бұрын

Making an underwater movie is hard. Let’s talk about how difficult it was to make The Abyss, from the logistical nightmare of all involved during filming to dealing with James Cameron’s perfectionism.
💸 | Support us! / itwasashtshow
🔗 | Follow us! linktr.ee/itwasashtshow
👕 | Buy our merch! www.teepublic.com/user/itwasa...
In the entertainment world, there are millions of dollars on the line and troubled productions are bound to happen. And we are going to talk about these disastrous, never ending, and sometimes dangerous productions. From the creators of WTF Happened To This Movie?, It Was A Sh*t Show is a video essay/documentary/podcast series looking at some of your favorite films and tv shows, and why they were such a nightmare to make.
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
00:32 - James Cameron’s Love of the Ocean
01:06 - Terminator and Aliens Lead to The Abyss
01:40 - An Underwater Idea
02:29 - Building a Set Inside a Nuclear Power Plant
03:28 - Inventing Ways to Make the Film
04:58 - An Unready Set, Cast and Crew
06:21 - The Logistical Horror Show
08:00 - From Joy to Panic: The Actors’ Journey
09:29 - Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio’s Humiliation
10:11 - Ed Harris Attempts Breathing Underwater
11:59 - More Disasters During a Cold Fall
13:21 - James Cameron: Architect of Misery
15:50 - ILM Revolutionizes Computer Graphics
17:12 - Cutting Subplots and Finishing VFX
18:43 - The Abyss Releases August 9, 1989
19:44 - Special Edition Restoration
20:53 - Cameron’s Full Commitment
21:21 - Unrelenting Pressure of Hollywood
Sources:
Box Office Mojo: bit.ly/3Wo8yBV
Entertainment Weekly: bit.ly/3isbwqj
James Cameron: Interviews: bit.ly/3ineBYK
LA Times: lat.ms/3hBHy2v
New York Times: nyti.ms/3hEpdly
Rotten Tomatoes: bit.ly/3IV8IfY
Starlog #146, September 1989
Starlog #150, January 1990
Titanic and the Making of James Cameron: bit.ly/3WNlYXE
Featured Footage:
The Abyss (1989)*
Aliens (1986)
Arrested Development (2003-2019)
Avatar (2009)
Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)*
Deepsea Challenge (2014)
DeepStar Six (1989)
Jaws (1975)*
Leviathan (1989)
Piranha II: The Spawning (1981)
South Park (1997- )
The Terminator (1984)
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
Titanic (1997)
True Lies (1994)
*and special features
Entertainment Tonight
GQ: • James Cameron Breaks D...
IGN: • Avatar: The Way of Wat...
James Cameron: Voyage to the Bottom of the Earth (2012)
Light & Magic (2022)
Today: • James Cameron Talks ‘A...
Under Pressure: Making The Abyss (1993)
Music:
Alan Silvestri - The Abyss (Original Soundtrack)
Ryan Hudson - Sh*t Show Theme
#itwasashtshow #theabyss #jamescameron

Пікірлер: 1 900

@metrodeus Жыл бұрын

the takeaway from this is that Ed Harris is a fucking hardcore dude lmao

@ExxylcrothEagle Жыл бұрын

Dude he WaS Jackzen Potluck!!

@danfors1333 Жыл бұрын

He's pretty tough. He showed that in Top Gun when the jet plane flew past him blowing of both his hat and the roof of the building next to him without him moving an inch.

@lordshitpost31 Жыл бұрын

He's one of the best actors ever, no coincidence

@theSweedio Жыл бұрын

@@danfors1333 Nah dude I just rewatched that clip. Ed Harris moves his left foot back a little to steady himself. Still a total badass though, I bet most people would duck

@Sean_Shaun_Shawn Жыл бұрын

And that James Cameron is an egotistical psychopath.

@GeoffCanyon Жыл бұрын

The thing I always say about every James Cameron film is: you can see the money on the screen. Some films are expensive, but look cheap. That is never the case with Cameron.

@willk1756 Жыл бұрын

Nailed it

@augustinefaithdefender Жыл бұрын

The Rings of Power 🤭🙈 Half a billion dollars, yet look like shit!

@IphigeniaAtAulis Жыл бұрын

I also think people don't appreciate the fact that James' desire to push the limits advances the whole of mankind. Think about all the movies that are using technology (especially CGI) that was pioneered in The Abyss. Combine that with the advances in other technologies (like diving technology) and think we all owe thanks to James Cameron.

@amarissimus29 Жыл бұрын

Agreed. There is definitely some black magic there. Actual film and some classic prime lenses plays a part, but there is something else. For whatever reason, you can take a still at any point in some movies and that feel is in it. Composition, cinematography, luck, whatever. It really does take a neurotic slave driver to make collaboration work consistently. I think he's a weak writer, with bad tendencies toward the maudlin, but there's no denying that all of his work is beautiful.

@hawk7825 Жыл бұрын

Indeed!

@gtv6chuck Жыл бұрын

In 1989 I worked at a bookstore in Grand Central Station in NYC. A guy came up to me and asked me if we had the novelized version of the movie. I said we did, and handed him a copy. He then asked for several more copies, so I had to ask why. Turns out he was Leo Burmester, the burly guy in the movie, and he wanted to give some copies to friends and family. We chatted for a bit, and he explained to me the whole part about working in the nuclear power plant and that they also did some filming in the Bahamas. He was a nice guy and he didn't mention anything about it being difficult, just that it took a long time to film.

@jeaniechampagne8831 10 ай бұрын

He was the mouthy guy, I remember him. Some people are forgettable, he wasn't.

@rhuttrho88 10 ай бұрын

Because he was the Burly guy! That's why he didn't complain!

@riproar11 4 ай бұрын

That same year I saw him play the role of Thénardier in the Broadway, Les Misérables.

@sgt4623 3 ай бұрын

RIP Leo

@bronsontolliver9027 11 ай бұрын

That look Ed has when he's talking about the near drowning, his upset with himself over his getting upset, that's the Abyss staring back.

@thepaintingbanjo8894 Жыл бұрын

"F*ck you, I did the Abyss." is like saying I survived Vietnam. You just don't mess with people who gone thru that.

@J0SHUAKANE Жыл бұрын

dude wouldnt last 5 seconds in a full contact thai martial arts film. all he did was sit around in a tank, then say some shit that someone else wrote.

@shiekahfan01 Жыл бұрын

@@J0SHUAKANE you do know that mental torture does in fact exist and those who suffer from it are scarred for life, right?

@thomasloveless4800 Жыл бұрын

@@J0SHUAKANE Or full on Samurai fight in 13th century while fighting rebels, what a pansy.

@J0SHUAKANE Жыл бұрын

@@shiekahfan01 idk what that has to do with waiting around in a tank.

@shiekahfan01 Жыл бұрын

@@J0SHUAKANE did you miss the fact many people almost died on this set due to oxygen issues?

@axelord4ever Жыл бұрын

"Fuck you, I did _The Abyss."_ If there's one snippet to rule them all, it's this one.

@Immortalrounin Жыл бұрын

That killed me 🤣 Ps 69th like

@Unalochy Жыл бұрын

@@Immortalrounin nice

@GeoffreyWare Жыл бұрын

After f*** you I did the abyss comes the phrase now I'm going to do Avatar so f*** everybody

@J0SHUAKANE Жыл бұрын

he sounds like the cry baby actors he is talking about.

@ajspice Жыл бұрын

@@J0SHUAKANE Except he actually has a legit reason. This movie is considered by many to be one of the hardest motion pictures to ever be filmed in history.

@crd2815 Жыл бұрын

I think it's funny that they're like, "he didn't let his life interfere at all.. he only made his own and all the lives around him miserable and overworked and abused some of them to near death."

@ThePhunnman5 11 ай бұрын

Exactly!!

@Vin_Venture896 10 ай бұрын

There’s something so weird about how people idolise assholes. It’s the Gordon Ramsey effect. People think that being a psychopath is the only way to get good results and therefore glorify terrible working conditions.

@JoseyWales44s 10 ай бұрын

@@Vin_Venture896 I don't think people idolize him because he is an asshole but rather they admire the product of his work. Cameron is one of the directors who has not made a movie that wasn't five stars. The fact that three of the top four grossing movies of all time are his speaks to that.

@jamesbizs 10 ай бұрын

Ok. But he put himself through the same shit, and worse, and longer…. He wasn’t making people do shit

@chatteyj 10 ай бұрын

@@Vin_Venture896 Psychopathic behaviour isn't always bad it's a character trait vital for success for example without Cameron we wouldn't have films like The Abyss, Aliens, terminator etc and the world would be a much poorer place without them. Same goes for Ramsay that man has whipped failing families and restaurant businesses into shape benefiting hundreds of people. I think the world would be a more miserable place without them.

@JTGemini3 Жыл бұрын

Cameron and that entire crew were absolutely insane in doing what they did for this movie. Freaks me out; I just could never voluntarily put myself in a situation where I'm relying on technology and other people to not suffocate. And Ed Harris upset with himself because he couldn't complete the scene because he almost drowned? Damn, dude.

@denimchicken104 10 ай бұрын

Mentally ill shit.

@panchostanza8712 6 ай бұрын

Most people in the entertainment biz are at least 1/2 insane

@manipool 5 ай бұрын

@@panchostanza8712 Torture for the art.

@nickpoynton8918 3 ай бұрын

He seems pretty on edge. If you watch the behind the scenes stuff for The Rock you see him get super angry because he keeps fudging some lines. Intense rage at himself.

@JeremyLogan 2 ай бұрын

You voluntarily put yourself in situations where you're relying on technology and other people to not die almost every day.

@hmbhousemusic Жыл бұрын

James Cameron might be a genius or whatever, but this man is also an absolute menace

@NinjaMatt2201 Жыл бұрын

It's a thin line between genius and insanity.

@donovanchilton5817 Жыл бұрын

Cameron is a psychopath.

@iciajay6891 Жыл бұрын

He is a bully. Not insane. My dad grew up in the same town as him. Cameron bullied him in elementary school. Cameron I think is obsessed with water as one of his brothers died by drowning when they were kids. Anyway, blully with power = menace to everyone around them. That does not make insanity. It is just male hubris and powers usually outcome. I'm not saying he is a nice person, but the worst ppl we meet who act the worst, are in general perfectly sane. Just shit ppl.

@Sarah-pz9ee Жыл бұрын

@@NinjaMatt2201 why can't you be both?

@studinthemaking Жыл бұрын

Just ask his exwife. Linda H.

@ottergreen8190 Жыл бұрын

As an underwater welder & salvor I can only imagine the logistical nightmares for filming the way they did.

@solidicone Жыл бұрын

You're not kidding, I did my own share of water crime scene recovery when I was in law enforcement in the crime scene unit. Those long stents underwater trying to do delicate work. I can't imagine the horror of the logistics they had to go through, the water is unforgiving under the most basic of circumstances.

@davidbinkowski4825 Жыл бұрын

Not that you aren't in just as much danger, but with your level of professionalism, you're probably more likely to survive a lifetime of diving than these guys. Its not that they were cowboy'ing it, but they were not all pros, and had to deal with panicky actors who would never be as trained as a pro diver. I'm surprised noone was hurt worse... Wow.

@FRANK45CASTLE 11 ай бұрын

Ive always heard about your job title and thought it was so badass. I went the soldier route myself but i tell my brother to get into welding. Then maybe, possibly, with hard work he could do underwater welding. I know for a fact you fellas are paid extremely well for the danger your always in. You deserve every cent.

@TheLakabanzaichrg 11 ай бұрын

How does one get into that career?

@soulextracter 10 ай бұрын

@@TheLakabanzaichrg You probably need to be a kick@$$ welder to begin with, then you probably need a deep diving certification, and on top of that I would guess there is a specialist welding certification for underwater welding, since it's probably quite different from welding in dry environments. I suspect you get into that kind of career through the military. But it's just my speculations.

@creepinwhileyousleepin Жыл бұрын

Abyss holds up even 33 years later. A masterpiece.

@interdimensionalsteve8172 Жыл бұрын

My favourite Michael Biehn role, and that says a lot. His slow fall into insanity is so fun to watch.

@if6was929 11 ай бұрын

Johnny Ringo was his best role, IMO.

@amochswohntet4434 10 ай бұрын

🤣 wtf?

@TigerzLionzPistonzWingz Ай бұрын

Is he ever a 'good' guy? Lol

@rikuruohomaki3230 Жыл бұрын

"Life's Abyss and then you dive. “ - The film crew of James Cameron's Abyss.

@ShadowStoryteller Жыл бұрын

" *SON* of Abyss..." -another film crew saying on the shoot, according to Gale Hurd

@kennywilkinson913 Жыл бұрын

One of the best play on words ever, great song too from probably his best album.

@ethanweeter2732 Жыл бұрын

Morgan Freeman joke.😂

@amoscaul3264 Жыл бұрын

Such a great reference and pun.

@mikehunt4797 11 ай бұрын

Abysmal

@necrofuryan5899 Жыл бұрын

I love how that South Park episode is simultaneously making fun of James Cameron while also low-key flattering him lol.

@kilikus822 Жыл бұрын

If I were him I would absolutely be jamming to the song every day.

@soloban81 Жыл бұрын

James Cameron does what James Cameron does because James Cameron is James Cameron 😂😂😂😂

@currencytrader4389 Жыл бұрын

The scene where ED Harris is trying to revive his girlfriend was amazing. I remember watching that and actually holding my breath. I think the whole theater was as well, because there was just a huge cheer when she started breathing again.

@DavidLLambertmobile 6 ай бұрын

My late mother, who passed in 2005 at 62, saw this film early 1990s. She was impressed with this intense scene. I thought Harris would be in grief for killing her.

@manipool 5 ай бұрын

They did an absolutely amazing job under the most hazardous circumstances. I cried so many times watching that scene and the love that was expressed on screen. Kudos to Ed and Mary Elizabeth, and everyone involved you ruled!

@JeremyLogan 2 ай бұрын

Ex-wife, not girlfriend. But yeah, that scene still hits me in the feels.

@greatdelusion7654 10 ай бұрын

It’s a shame this is probably Cameron’s most overlooked movie considering it was the most gruelling production of all his movies.

@Durwood71 10 ай бұрын

Possibly the most grueling production of any movie ever made.

@stevie-ray2020 10 ай бұрын

Cameron was so ahead of his time as most of the tech he was really wanting to use hadn't been developed yet!

@greatdelusion7654 10 ай бұрын

@@stevie-ray2020 True. Shame about Avatar 2. He kinda let the tech get too far ahead of the narrative.

@inky5168 10 ай бұрын

it is wonderful, especially the directors cut

@VivKittie32 9 ай бұрын

Really? Despite the nightmare shoot, it’s his best movie, I think.

@brodycdxx2554 Жыл бұрын

The fact I can feel the anxiety pulsing through me half way through this vid is insane, why Cameron

@jtgd Жыл бұрын

James Cameron does what James Cameron do because he’s James Cameron

@J0SHUAKANE Жыл бұрын

cuz he's a psychopath, 1 step away from john landis. people could have died & he would have went on unaffected.

@decespugliatorenucleare3780 Жыл бұрын

that's beacuse you're a woman and incapable of keeping your shit together

@circleofsorrow4583 Жыл бұрын

Because he has pathological narcissism.

@mechanomics2649 Жыл бұрын

@@circleofsorrow4583 Finally, someone who sees it instead of riding his dick.

@solidkingcobra Жыл бұрын

11:39 Ed Harris is such an underrated actor. A friggin legend.

@smokingzombiefilms 5 ай бұрын

It was a life moment to meet and work with the man on “Westworld”.

@Martin-uj6zn Жыл бұрын

James Cameron's movies captured my imagination as a kid like no others. From T1 and T2 to Aliens. When I saw the Abyss, it blew my little kid mind.

@jeaniechampagne8831 10 ай бұрын

It blew mine as well!

@tobiascore 10 ай бұрын

I was a fan of T2 and Aliens for years as a teen before even hearing about The Abyss. When I watched it, I instantly felt it was criminally underrated. To this day it's a top 10 movie for me.

@JeremyLogan 2 ай бұрын

It's such a shame he stopped making movies after T2. Dude was a genius.

@martinmcguire172 Жыл бұрын

This was one of the greatest movies of the time. It influenced me to such an extent that I became an engineer and diver in the Royal Navy in 1993. Even my wedding ring is a titanium licenced replica from the movie. As a side note anyone who loves the film should read the book. It is here you will learn that Coffey is a really good guy and it is purely down to the HPNS that makes him behave the way he does. I now work as medic and safety diver for both industry and occassional movie jobs and would have loved to have worked on this set. Tough yes, but boy what an experience it would have been.

@princessozmaofoz5242 Жыл бұрын

That's really cool! Maybe I want my wedding ring to be made of titanium too xD

@chatteyj 10 ай бұрын

Cool story bro. Also theres a book!?

@danielscott4514 10 ай бұрын

@@chatteyj The book is a novelisation by Orson Scott Card (meaning the screenplay was written first, and then the novelist took the screenplay and fleshed out more details for the novel). It's a really good novelisation (and Scott Card is a well respected Sci-Fi author). It's been a couple of decades since I read it, but there are lots of interesting details in there - like the invisible fibre optic cables the divers use to communicate, and the molecule-fine tendrils of water that the NTIs can manipulate to get though waterproof seals and read thoughts and affect peoples mood etc.

@niklasdahlgren7641 Жыл бұрын

Now, i'm a certified diver, nothing special, drysuit, open water, advanced down to 30 meters as a hobbyist, definitely an amateur.. And the INSANE risk Ed Harris went through is...indescribable considering how quickly someone can die if someone fucks up in diving.

@jeffbrownme2 10 ай бұрын

I cannot believe he actually had fluid in his helmet. I was convinced watching the movie it was like a double pane helmet and they filled the fluid in the space between. Couldn't imagine any world where they were like "Nope, we're gonna fill it up with fluid for real."

@jamesbizs 10 ай бұрын

@@jeffbrownme2your face in water, just can not be replicated like that.

@chatteyj 10 ай бұрын

@@jeffbrownme2 That would have been the sensible option lol

@LordMalice6d9 10 ай бұрын

I mostly dived in fresh water lakes in Upstate New York like lake Skaneateles. Unfortunately I have never dived in the open ocean yet.

@DavidLLambertmobile 6 ай бұрын

SCUBA 🤿 is NOT easy or simple, I did a few open water dives 🇵🇦 1990s.

@shellsnbees Жыл бұрын

I have been fascinated with this movie ever since I was a kid! The ocean has always terrified me, and I remember seeing the cover of this movie, and I was instantly frightened! It’s amazing to hear the making of it. Thank you so much for this video!

@ispamforfood Жыл бұрын

I agree, I was 9 when this movie came out, though I probably didn't see it until 90 or 91, and I friggin LOVED this movie! I can understand why the production was so bad, but if I was over 18 when that movie came out, I would have seen it 5 or 6 times in theaters, that's how much I loved it. It was a bit long for sure, but I didn't care. I thought that the idea of living in a deep underwater structure was so cool, and even started drawing my own interpretations of what an underwater facility would look like if it were meant for residential living... I think too many people just read reviews of movies before they decide whether or not to see something, got wind of some negative press on tv, newspapers, or word of mouth, and made up their minds before even giving the movie a chance... That is a foolproof way to miss out on some great movies if you ask me... And I'm not about that. In fact, historically speaking, I'm more interested in box office bombs than I am in box office successes. The american public, even back in 1989, generally has/had NO IDEA what a good movie really is. They all basically just gravitate to whatever everyone's talking about and don't even decide for themselves whether or not a movie is worth seeing. Sad... They're missing out on some real gems, this film included.

@BobJohnson-xg9ng 10 ай бұрын

Fascinated and captivated to this day. The additional footage at the ending made this a much better film, but I can't find any copies today.

@commonsenseprevails 10 ай бұрын

I had no idea how difficult a movie this was to make, but WHAT A MOVIE, especially the uncut version. In my top 10-20 movies of all time. I've watched countless times and it never gets old.

@vgaportauthority9932 Жыл бұрын

This is one of my all time favorite Sci Fi movies. Holds up extremely well to this day imo.

@hieunguyenrileygekko Жыл бұрын

everytime James Cameron makes a movie, he also spearheads multiple new filmmaking techniques

@jusadude7162 Жыл бұрын

I never knew about the Lindsey revival scene history. It was so well acted and shot. It’s gonna be hard to watch it from now on without feeling extreme sympathy for Mastrantonio. I don’t doubt this scarred her forever.

@bryna7 Жыл бұрын

Having her shirt ripped open adds to the humiliation.

@AdmV0rl0n Жыл бұрын

@@bryna7 All true. But I doubt there is an actor who can, or who ever will hold a candle to those moments, the part, and coming back to life from dead. The grey skin palour, shifting. Acting at an everest level likely never repeated. Not defending Cameron here, think he was wrong, but the actress played out a part so life like, IMHO opinion its beyond oscar level work.

@Celestein Жыл бұрын

The scene where she slowly drowns and her resuscitation are the scenes which remain burned in my mind out of the whole film (and it is a fantastic movie). She deserves a ton of credit for achieving this under such grueling working conditions, I had no idea she refuses to even discuss it :(

@pdeforest 10 ай бұрын

I was upset and horrified at the time. To watch the love of your life deliberately drown, and try to bring her back. Whoa.

@rykehuss3435 10 ай бұрын

@@bryna7 and to my excitement

@MayimHastings Жыл бұрын

The real question is what is the price for someone's sanity, what is the price for their life? Those actors signed those contracts not fully understanding the ramifications, and they had to trust Cameron who valued his art before their lives. His comment about them only having to pick out a magazine was messed up.

@jap7384 10 ай бұрын

it's a funny old world

@jordansweet8054 Ай бұрын

How dare they not want to drown for one egomanic's artistic obsession! Some of us just go to theraphy when we have issues. We don't punish the world for it.

@MayimHastings Ай бұрын

@@jordansweet8054 Amen to that!

@ffnendhgrgd Жыл бұрын

People say that studios don't make high-budget dramas anymore. It's because they found easier ways to launder money.

@johanjonasson4188 Жыл бұрын

Damn. I wish they continued to launder money that way instead.

@RobRhodesMusic Жыл бұрын

Still one of my favourite movies of all time. Criminally underrated and ignored. So good.

@Habu71 Жыл бұрын

Yeah, same here Rob. I remember watching it on VHS when it came out, and I have loved it ever since. I feel like all things considered, it still holds up very very well, but seems to be so underrated. Like people don't even know about it. That's a shame being how cool it is and knowing what they went through to make it.

@darrenporter1850 Жыл бұрын

I saw it at the cinema in UK. The radio mentioned it, and I loved Alien's, so went to see it. It had no advertising and nobody even knew what it was. Great movie.

@janogabor7697 Жыл бұрын

@@catmatism Wrong

@darrenporter1850 Жыл бұрын

@@catmatism It's a great movie. I agree feels a little messy and unfinished, but I have that argument for another great movie, Bladerunner.

@DialloMoore503 Жыл бұрын

The only Cameron film I do NOT like.

@EnragedTofu 10 ай бұрын

Absolutely, love the director’s cut of this film, I’ve seen it so many, many times. The chosen drowning scene with Harris & Mastrantonio is one of the greatest movie scenes ever in my opinion.

@danieldevito6380 Ай бұрын

I'll never understand why this movie flopped. It's a fantastic movie and I couldn't imagine what it must've been like seeing this in 1989.

@SI0AX 6 күн бұрын

It was due to the 2 bad underwater films that released before The Abyss. It made people not want to give it a chance.

@gk.dopeesq.6853 Жыл бұрын

Just wow! Gotta respect the cast and crew for having to deal with all of that

@mikeopuvty Жыл бұрын

I actually saw the Special Edition in a movie theater. The late Gaumont Grand Écran Italie, which had a 25 meters by 10 meters screen. It was immense. Absolutely mind-blowing.

@johanjonasson4188 Жыл бұрын

Was it in 70mm or IMAX 70 mm? Must have been incredible in any case.

@mikeopuvty Жыл бұрын

@@johanjonasson4188 The theater itself wasn’t IMAX. I suspect it was either a 70mm print with 6 tracks for the sound, or 35mm with dolby digital.

@seaneunson3661 Жыл бұрын

I think IMAX for Hollywood features didn’t actually happen until about 2002 with the DMR up-conversion of Star Wars Episode 2 and then Ron Howard’s film 1995 film Apollo 13. Up until then it was specially shot 15 perf 70mm features like Space shuttle and nature documentaries. They had to figure out how to take a 35mm frame and blow it up for the incredibly large IMAX screens. Hence the proprietary DMR process. (Digital Media Remastering)

@johanjonasson4188 Жыл бұрын

@@seaneunson3661 Alright. I would love to see IMAX 70 mm one day though. Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer seems to be the next movie in that format. The closest theatre is in London and I live in Sweden.

@casedistorted Жыл бұрын

@@johanjonasson4188 I know I’ve seen a few of those original true IMAX documentaries at like Six Flags or other places back when I was a kid. Then it became a trend and all the theaters claimed they were “IMAX” when I never thought they looked as big or crystal clear

@dynamodigitaldesign8293 Жыл бұрын

The CGI of the water tentacle is incredible. It paved the way to techniques that many of us 3D artist's use nowadays. Such as texture mapping the set into a CG environment so that the 3D models reflect a the elements in the set. Or using displacement mapping to create waves in the water.

@Novastar.SaberCombat Жыл бұрын

I ABSOLUTELY *LOVED* THIS FILM. Always have. Everything in it, including the performances were fantastic, legendary, daring, emotionally vibrant and GENUINE... and I appreciate Cameron's unwavering, stalwart resolve--along with the cast and crew. I don't know how they did it, really. It's like... ARE YOU CRAZY?!?! The amount of WORK, pain, suffering, etc. There's that one line that 'Kat' delivers, too. The whole: "Bud, before I came down here, triple pay sounded like a lot. It AIN'T." :O Wow. An unbelievable film--literally--from stem to nuts. And Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio was absolutely INCREDIBLE as "Linzie". Her character was bloody fantastic, and I don't think I'll EVER forget that drowning scene. Never. No way. Michael Biehn's 'insanity' was top notch, too. The STUTTER on "You either take an about face-ce... or..." :O WOW. What a true masterpiece.

@lmaololroflcopter Жыл бұрын

Gale Anne Hurd: This is the most challenging film ever made Big Jim C seven years later: I’m going to reenact the sinking of the Titanic

@alexander1485 Жыл бұрын

Im the king of the world!

@TheDarkwingj Жыл бұрын

except Hurd didn't produce Titanic after T2

@lmaololroflcopter Жыл бұрын

@@TheDarkwingj yeah I know but that isn’t the joke.

@VforVengeance159 Жыл бұрын

I loved The Abyss, probably one of the most memorable movies for me due to some reasons, when I first watched it as a kid, I loved how awesome it is with all the sets and new VFX it came out with back then. And second the phobia it gave me for the deep ocean or any body of water where I can't see the dark bottom. The scene where the main character continously free falled alone in the deep dark abyss is still imprinted in me up to this days. And I work in ships. 😂

@haroldnecmann7040 Жыл бұрын

No thanks to pampered ass cameron

@kennywilkinson913 Жыл бұрын

There's a moment in this film when Ed Harris says "I am calm." Someone clearly tells him something on the phone and his next word is "WHAT!?!" but the delivery always got me, I first saw this movie when I was 10 and I could relate to him then lol

@mateosimon4237 Жыл бұрын

It's funny how the shooting of Apocalypse Now is often regarded as the most unbearable nightmare, but The Abyss was even worse perhaps. They literally had absolutely everything against them. The movie (specially the uncut version) is very close to being a masterpiece. I remember being 15 years old and watching the Underwater City/Ship scene and being in complete awe at what I was seeing. In fact I can remember the exact emotion of absolute wonder when I saw that scene, and listened to that Score. These are the films that stick with us after so many years, and knowing what an absolute misery the shooting was, it almost make Cameron and his crew look like wizards. So thank You for this great vídeo documentary, and thank very much JC and crew for such a great, unforgettable film.

@KathrynsWorldWildfireTracking Жыл бұрын

_Aguirre, the Wrath of God_ is the movie Apocalypse Now was based on. Another tropical film location in a green hell, where cast and crew come to blows and accuse each other of attempted murder. Makes _The Island of Dr. Moreau_ look like a honeymoon...

@mateosimon4237 Жыл бұрын

@@KathrynsWorldWildfireTracking Yes, you are right, the Herzog film, and there was another one by W Herzog, "Fitzcarraldo" (I think that was the name). There are some "myths"surrounding those films. Or more precisely not the films, but their production/shooting. There was this feat of moving a ship up a mountain and other stories as well

@supersaiyankirby Жыл бұрын

I don't understand why they wouldn't just use a fake layer of glass on the diving helmet to fill with the fake breathing liquid instead of almost drowning and burning the actor.

@ericssmith2014 Жыл бұрын

“But that wouldn’t look exactly the same as what I’m imagining!” -James Cameron, probably

@krashd Жыл бұрын

Because then the actor would just look like they were behind the world's thinnest fishtank.

@outermarker5801 Жыл бұрын

One might say the filming process was abyssmal

@moviewolverine89 Жыл бұрын

"This is either madness...or brilliance." "It's remarkable how often those two traits coincide."

@codirennke1109 Ай бұрын

One of my all time favorites. Had no idea it was such hell on everyone. I hate that its not available anywhere to stream. And as for ed harris... what a man. Hubba hubba

@sovereign9708 Жыл бұрын

His name is James JAMES CAMERON, explorer of the seas. With the dying thirst to be the first, who’s he? James Cameron

@skalien51 Жыл бұрын

Instantly loved the movie after watching it when it first released in theaters. My dad had the special edition, laser disk way back in the day. I just had my son watch it a few weeks ago after watching Avatar WOTW. I hope J Cameron re-releases this on BluRay &/or streaming in 4K. The quality of your video is outstanding. Way better than the DVD my son & I watched.

@Craxin01 Жыл бұрын

Probably the same copy I have, meant for a 4:3 CRT TV. Letterboxed, but not optimized for a 16:9 screen like later DVDs. It wasn't put out again on DVD after that became a thing.

@unscentednapalm8547 Жыл бұрын

Theres a great HD extended version you can torrent (allegedly!) I grew up watching this film, let me tell you watching in HD on a 65" a TV is awesome. You noticed details you never seen before.

@jasonhnash05 Жыл бұрын

It is being released on blu ray in March

@guitarfan01 Жыл бұрын

@@jasonhnash05 I'll believe it when I see it on my shelf. Cameron also said it would be out in 2017.

@chatteyj 10 ай бұрын

@@guitarfan01 Its still not out, I had no idea people were waiting so long for a blu-ray version, I would buy the blu-ray version tomorrow if it were out.

@Pranciskus984 Жыл бұрын

i watched this movie 10+ and still makes my skin goosebumps, that's my favorite movie of all times, never knew what film crew had to go thru to make it so awesome, respect

@KdHinken 10 ай бұрын

The divorce obviously did effect the shoot, because he threw himself into the film completely and overdid everything, went balls to the wall and probably much more dangerous than he ever should have done, we probably dont know quite how dangerous things were at points, it sounds like the fact that no one died was actually quite lucky

@Finn_Talks Жыл бұрын

I just learned something; the takeaway from this is that James Cameron is a fucking perfectionist pain-in-the-ass person to work with, which makes him one of the most great filmmakers out there. Thanks for making this video, ShitShow. I do appreciate it.

@madrx2 10 ай бұрын

Ed Harris has always been my fav actor! Absolute king

@bobjimenez4464 10 ай бұрын

The Abyss is and always will be one of my favorite movies. The thought of breathing oxygen rich fluid is terrifying and Ed Harris performed this act with agonizing perfection. I look back and wish that I could have been involved in the creation of this movie masterpiece. : )

@Szminsky Жыл бұрын

The production process surely was Hell, but the end product was amazing. The crew should feel proud.

@creamithmanning2632 Жыл бұрын

Had someone actually died during this movie’s production, I’m pretty sure James Cameron’s career would have ended right then and there

@cobrakaicyberdon Жыл бұрын

Yes, John landis career took a dive after the twilight zone movie incident. But I think he still made films in Hollywood after. But yh this abyss shoot, looked really dangerous. And I've heard that Mr Cameron can really be quite the tyrant, to work for. But some of his films are really special. Especially terminator 1 and 2. ✌️✌️🙏

@chatteyj 10 ай бұрын

@@cobrakaicyberdon They were in a tank twelve foot deep of water it was hardly the open ocean and although dangerous it was a completely controlled environment at the end of the day and safety was never more than a few feet away

@ballisticbadbrad 10 ай бұрын

I saw this movie in the Summer of 89, age 16, at the drive-in with a car load of friends of similar ages, out enjoying the school break. Weekend at Bernie's was the first of a double header, and that had us all laughing like mad! Then The Abyss was up next at close to midnight. I was enthralled by the storyline, fantastic acting, and mysterious underwater environments. But the best part and what I am getting to is this. Nearly at the exact moment of the multi couloured N.T.I.'s appearing on the BIG screen, the aurora borealis lit up the skies in the same northern direction of the screen placement! I was awe struck, my jaw left hanging...it was just so awesome! Right then and there I knew I was experiencing something so very fascinating, never to be duplicated!

@grimtt 10 ай бұрын

Now the AB IS something I’d love to see👍 cool story tho

@graemewilson7975 Жыл бұрын

Really good insight with some new input. I'm not convinced ANY movie worth that stress to cast and crew. Cameron certainly earns his captain Ahab reputation

@giftedfox4748 Жыл бұрын

The Abyss when I watched it as a kid I was really in love with it. The whole darkness of the alien world that is underwater is just something else. There were a lot of issues on this film. In fact, I think that the films that film over/in water are always the hardest things for the actors. Water World for example where the actors almost died and nearly quit.

@last_raven Жыл бұрын

I was taught marine science by a student of one of technical advisors for this film. The horrors of this production came up constantly during the course, especially when talking about underwater safety

@akaErma Жыл бұрын

My dad actually had a laser disc player and I saw the Special Edition as a child. It started a fascination with visual effects that continued to influence me into adulthood. I'm still not sure James Cameron's vision is worth putting people through that.

@spacekitt.n 10 ай бұрын

this gave me a newfound respect for ed harris. what a damn professional man. a dedicated performer in every sense

@peacefusion 10 ай бұрын

Imagine you were at work, getting slapped constantly, and your boss just doesnt care. Man, these actors are people too.

@AshleyHarleyman Жыл бұрын

The Abyss was then and is now one of the finest underwater movies ever filmed. Stellar performances from every actor in the film, with brilliance from Ed Harris and Michael Biehn (as the steadily dissolving Coffey). Truly epic.

@Dunmerdog Жыл бұрын

Love that in everything Cameron makes, some actor has to be one of the first few humans to ever achieve a certain feat, usually to impressive results

@THX--nn5bu 10 ай бұрын

Coming from a military veteran I thank the cast and crew for their service.

@DavidLLambertmobile 6 ай бұрын

I'm a veteran too 🎗 4yr 1990s & have worked on a few TV, media film 🎥 shoots. Some people, actors are NOT cut out for location or outdoor, 🌎 production.

@ElvoretF1 10 ай бұрын

Thats why i think "The Abyss" is the best movie ever made, and Harris's personalisation of that character is just great, wow that reanimation scene, brutal

@crxtodd16 Жыл бұрын

Holy crap.... This would have been terrifying to be working on this set.

@wesleywarsmith1113 Жыл бұрын

This was one of my family's movies. Every family has a couple movies that the whole of them can enjoy and together and this was one of them. We would watch it constantly.

@8020drummer 10 ай бұрын

4:28 this from the same guy criticizing the titan inventor 30 some years later

@squamish4244 Жыл бұрын

Cameron has apparently mellowed with age. He's gone from screaming at actors to realizing they actually know what they're doing, like...acting. He admitted he's been too hard on actors in the past in an interview in 2012. I wonder what the experience of filming Avatar: The Way of Water was like. This time, many of the actors, like Kate Winslet and Zoe Saldana, could afford to walk away, which was apparently in the past key to how he treated you. Anywho, random comment.

@organfan668 10 ай бұрын

Hell I would’ve walked away from this even if I couldn’t have afforded it lol

@cubdukat 6 ай бұрын

I suspect it must have been fairy decent to get back Kate Winslet. She was pretty adamant about not having anything to do with James Cameron after "Titanic." Then again, that seems to be the case with at least half the cast of any movie he does; they either swear blind fealty to him or they hate him for life. He probably mellowed out because Disney made it known that they were not going to tolerate the same behavior he exhibited at Fox before they bought it. I'm very sure they were looking at the "Avatar" saga as one of the many Fox projects they could safely shitcan, despite the success of the first one.

@Gobbersmack 4 ай бұрын

His damn wife made him vegan and he lost his edge :(

@squamish4244 4 ай бұрын

@@cubdukat Never thought about that angle, but yeah. Disney is bigger than James Cameron and probably had their doubts about whether he could pull off another monster hit. "Behave yourself James, or we'll pull the plug."

@squamish4244 4 ай бұрын

@@Gobbersmack Wife #5 is the charm!

@rextable2000 Жыл бұрын

I watched the original theatrical release of this film again recently. It is sooooooooo goood!!!!! The extended edition is a lot less so. That scene - on the floor of the moon pool where Ed's character is trying to revive Mary's - is the greatest of it's kind ever committed to celluloid in my humble opinion. Every other death scene in any film since - where a character is thought to be lost but comes back - is meek and shallow imitation of this one. Yes - Mary suffered; yes - it was difficult for everyone involved but it paid off dramatically speaking. All in all, an underrated masterpiece.

@Jabber-ig3iw Жыл бұрын

The extended version is the only version worth watching IMO.

@triuneicthus3524 Жыл бұрын

@user-qt1wq5rr8f I agree. The extended version is better by far and in my opinion makes it a whole different movie.

@thegreenstalker19yearsago50 Жыл бұрын

This channel should've been a million subs already if constantly uploaded.

@vagabondmatt5152 Жыл бұрын

“We went with engineer B” = “so I found a new safety guy” 😂

@johsenior1535 10 ай бұрын

The abyss is one of the best movies ever! The fact that it was filmed in such a realistic way is one of the major reasons for its success! I happily watch this movie again and again. For all the hardships they endured, the cast and crew that worked on it can be proud of their achievement in more ways than one!

@chazblank2717 Жыл бұрын

Kevin Costner should ask if he can make a sequel to Waterworld at James Cameron’s mega-complex where he’s filming the Avatar saga.

@jeffthompson9622 Жыл бұрын

I didn't agree with the hate that Water World and The Postman received.

@krashd Жыл бұрын

@@jeffthompson9622 Kevin just likes being in 3hr long movies, he would be Jim Cameron's ideal actor.

@jeffthompson9622 Жыл бұрын

I also liked his more recent science fiction movie, "Criminal."

@chazblank2717 Жыл бұрын

@@krashd is Costner still famous enough to get a Vin Diesel Chronicles of Riddick type deal?

@schmeldwicksmith5379 Жыл бұрын

Loved this movie when it came out, loved the extended cut even more. But judging from this video, I might also enjoy the sequel, "The Abyss: Class Action Lawsuit". Holy shit they went through hell.

@skysurferuk 3 ай бұрын

I saw that on release. As an amateur diver, I related. It was nail bitingly awesome, when Ed Harris dropped off the ledge to disarm the nuke. I felt every foot of that drop.

@IsaiahGuerrieri Жыл бұрын

Wow, so Cameron wasn’t a fan of CGI because he wasn’t in control of it but now he’s making everything pure CGI This film humbled him.

@stuartfury3390 10 ай бұрын

Or CGI is just better now than it was then.

@IsaiahGuerrieri 10 ай бұрын

@@stuartfury3390 might be in the minority on that but I’ll agree to disagree…..hopefully the other 73 people who liked this comment can agree to disagree as well.

@MayimHastings 10 ай бұрын

@@IsaiahGuerrieri I sure hope it did humble him! And there are two things most movie fans can agree on: The birth of CGI and modern audio mixing have ruined movies. Their argument for changing the audio is that it's only meant to sound good in the theater. Except no one goes to the theater anymore, and even in a theater it gets so quiet you can barely hear, and the BOOOM! An actor closes a door and my ears are ringing. Sorry, got a little wound up there lol! ✌🏼

@ChibiDesigns 10 ай бұрын

This movie was released in 1989, assuming they filmed in the years leading up to that, CGI was way more primitive then than it is now. It required a team of people 1+ year to be able to hand draw and animate a few minutes worth of CGI back then, you'd basically send the request to an animation studio and they'd come back to you next year with the finished product. With computer advancement now it's a lot different, you can see a lot of the CGI and motion capture in real time so have a greater sense of what it'll look like.

@JoseyWales44s 10 ай бұрын

Spielberg was hesitant about using CGI dinosaurs too, until he saw the test footage.

@vegaobscurax23 Жыл бұрын

“Most Americans couldn’t even pronounce Abyss”

@NWednesdayQuansah Жыл бұрын

That made me LOL! Like, really!?

@jmalmsten Жыл бұрын

Reminds me of when marketing wanted to change the title of Die Hard because they feared that the movie goers would think it was a german film.

@danfors1333 Жыл бұрын

@@jmalmsten and the Germans changed it to Stirb Langsam

@Habu71 Жыл бұрын

Some things never change. LOL

@jeffthompson9622 Жыл бұрын

@@jmalmsten I didn't know that there was controversy over Die Hard's title. It reminded me of Sears batteries, but not confusingly.

@ashroskell Жыл бұрын

I was blown away by The Abyss when it was new (to video that is, not at the cinema) but it was really not well advertised at the time. I only first heard about it when I saw it on the shelves of Blockbuster. It has literally got something for everyone, except dance routines! The score is one of the best I’ve ever heard, the acting is flawless, the script is clipped and riveting: it’s got spectacular explosions and crashes, a love story, aliens, spies, nukes, suspense, mysteries and an epic story, told through an ensemble cast of whom everyone will find their type to root for. I still love that movie and I adore the ultimate optimism that punctuates the hectic story which takes the viewer on a rollercoaster of potentially world ending events.

@jamarco31 Жыл бұрын

And now I need a Boogie Nights episode all about how Burt Reynolds was fighting everyone

@brawlornothin1008 11 ай бұрын

Any director that forces their actors to undergo physical and/or psychological abuse for their “art” should honestly be in jail. No art project is worth putting people’s lives on the line. As a professional diver i can’t believe how dangerous this nonsense is. Thank you for the awesome video!

@bradthurkle7217 10 ай бұрын

Yes have to agree there and the takes for the reviving/ slapping scene that’s was just a ridiculous torture. She said we’re not animals.

@nixon5452 10 ай бұрын

Nah man this movie rocks

@thattroy Жыл бұрын

I just watched this again last month (I have a funny feeling you mentioned it in passing on your podcast) and goddamn, and you absolutely nailed your description - it takes such a sharp turn in the final act that I never know how I feel about it (despite this being the umpteenth time I've watched it). As always, though, another ripper sh*tshow video!

@ItWasAShtShow Жыл бұрын

Did you watch the Special Edition version? It's weird when you see it, then go back to the original, the ending is complete nonsense. Extended: "We saved you, but humans need to get their sh*t together. Deal?" Original: "We saved you, because-" [end of movie]

@thattroy Жыл бұрын

@@ItWasAShtShow I watched the Special Edition, which includes the shonky CGI waves and people on the beach cheering when the waves recede (which felt a little Michael Bay - I kept waiting to see an American flag waving).

@WobblesandBean Жыл бұрын

I'm honestly surprised no one tried to sue him for the horrible treatment he put those actors through.

@aritakalo8011 Жыл бұрын

Yeah. Much of that was pure negligence. Over chlorinated water, because you tried to rush the tank prep? Don't rush the tank prep or wait until the tank preppers get the water composition back in order. It's a damn movie, not a real submarine rescue. I so hate these directors and producers who think their aim of doing "amazing" or "realistic art" justifies near any means. You already are making an illusion, just do more illusion work so it is easier for the cast and crew.

@o-wolf Жыл бұрын

He put himself through that horrible treatment too &they could've left at any time

@hieunguyenrileygekko Жыл бұрын

well looks like he didnt violate any rule, even the video says he knew the limit and didnt cross the line

@Xer405 Жыл бұрын

I think it was because he also put himself through hell to try to create a great movie. He wasn't a dictator who simply stood on dry land and shouted orders. He was in the tank directing and had lots of miserable moments too.

@Boostmeister69 Жыл бұрын

Didn't the video address this at one point? That he respected the crew but didn't give two shits about the actors because the actors were mostly sitting around in the water and waiting while he and the crew were working tirelessly to prepare for them to shoot? Sounds like he and the crew went through much worse than the actors did.

@mr.teezee Жыл бұрын

My grandfather discovered organisms at extreme ocean depths earning him the title of the “father of marine microbiology” in textbooks/education. I’ve always been so fascinated with the deep ocean like Cameron - must be in my DNA lol. I think it’s cool. 😊

@SynthRockViking Жыл бұрын

I'm glad he did the Abyss, it's one of my favorite movies 😅

@glyph2011 Жыл бұрын

Still waiting for the Blu-Ray Of this. LOVE this movie.

@jamessullivan4391 Жыл бұрын

Then you best settle in, Bubba.

@glyph2011 Жыл бұрын

@@jamessullivan4391 😂 will do 👍

@catriamflockentanz Жыл бұрын

"The Abuse" huh? That's an amazing thumbnail.

@005connect9 10 ай бұрын

This movie blew me away as a kid, it was a movie that just felt so big and so small at the same time. Giant spaces, wide shots matched with the claustrophobic nature of their suits the darkness surrounding and some of the spaces they encounter.

@Moto_Medics Жыл бұрын

This is one of the most memorable movies of my childhood, it’s amazing to hear the backstory I just found your channel through this vid, subbed so hard my dude.

@ItWasAShtShow Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@WaaGriever Жыл бұрын

These videos are so good! Amazing work. Please keep making them ❤❤❤

@thecollector427 Жыл бұрын

Man, I wish this level of effort was still a thing in movies.

@mrmandudeplays Жыл бұрын

Been watching these vids recently as they popped up in my feed. It kinda shows just how much people have to fight through hell to make their dreams come true. Sometimes they don't work out but when they do the satisfaction is all the more satisfying. Watching people go through these trials in a way makes me feel inspired to pursue my own dreams because even though they warn about the journey being hard, they also show me that it's possible to make it out on top.

@jesseserranoll39 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for producing this. The Abyss has always been my favorite sci-fi movie. I think I understand why better now. The fact that the tension and environment seem so much more real and dark is obvious now. I always felt it was a really well cast movie and the characters were very believable in their roles. In several Cameron films he seems to have a good grasp of the real life characteristics of blue-collar workers in different industries. having grown up a lot around a lot of rig workers on the gulf coast, you can totally see their personalities and camaraderie in this cast, similar to the first Alien movie

@martinezdion Жыл бұрын

James Cameron is the Steve Jobs of film making.

@thehiddenheretic Жыл бұрын

He paid others to create the illusion of his genius?

@martinezdion Жыл бұрын

@@thehiddenheretic Duh. Just like Kanye.

@tainoman7905 Жыл бұрын

This man has three billion dollar movies and made one of the best sequels in cinema, he's a menace of the craft, a hustler of success

@damoclese8302 6 ай бұрын

Piranha II ? 🤣

@blinkspacestudio8892 10 ай бұрын

This is one of my fav movies its so terrifying and tense but utterly beautiful and fascinating too. Thanks to everyone involved in almost drowning to bring us this amazing entertainment you are all total bad asses

@deemariedubois4916 10 ай бұрын

I liked The Abyss. When the cut scenes were returned, I really liked it. It had some of the most intense scenes during which you suffered along with the characters. I’m an ocean freak…this was my kind of movie.

@kscorp5176 Жыл бұрын

I've loved this movie since the VHS became available at my local video store. The box office earnings may have been disappointing, but I am very grateful that this movie exists and have watched the extended cut on dvd more times than I can count. It's one of the movies that leaves a lifelong impression on you.

@darrenporter1850 Жыл бұрын

I heard a group of guys had a CG demo, they had the technology. Cameron said 'no' to them, but took the demo tape, gave it to ILM and told them to copy, do what was on the demo.

@krashd Жыл бұрын

I heard the British Royal family are lizards.

@rykmoo2201 Жыл бұрын

Great movie... a childhood favorite. I have even more respect for it now. I had no idea how badass the shooting conditions were. Thanks!

@romin7255 10 ай бұрын

One of my favorite movie of all times. From my favorite director all together. In retrospective, it's kind of a miracle nobody died during production...