Jurassic Park is a 1993 science-fiction adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg and based on the novel of the same name by Michael Crichton.
The film tells the story of a billionaire philanthropist who creates a theme park populated with cloned dinosaurs, and the group of scientists, lawyers, and children who visit the park and find themselves in a fight for survival when the dinosaurs escape their enclosures.
The film stars Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, and Martin Ferrero, and features groundbreaking special effects that brought the dinosaurs to life using a combination of animatronics and computer-generated imagery (CGI).
Here are some curiosities and behind-the-scenes details about the film:
1. Spielberg initially hired Stan Winston, a legendary special effects artist, to create the dinosaur animatronics. However, due to the tight production schedule, Winston had to collaborate with Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) to create the CG dinosaurs. The result was a seamless blend of animatronics and CGI that brought the dinosaurs to life.
2. The iconic T-Rex scene, where it attacks the cars, was actually supposed to take place during the day. However, due to a rainstorm during filming, Spielberg decided to change the scene to take place at night. This decision not only added to the tension and suspense of the scene but also helped to hide some of the animatronic’s limitations.
3. The sounds of the T-Rex roar were created by combining the sounds of a baby elephant, a tiger, an alligator, and a whale. The result was a roar that was both terrifying and unique.
4. The Dilophosaurus, a small dinosaur that spits venom in the film, is actually larger and more dangerous in real life. The filmmakers took some creative liberties with the Dilophosaurus’s size and behavior to make it more cinematic.
5. The scene where the Velociraptor opens the door was achieved by having a crew member pull the door open from the other side using a rope. The Velociraptor was added in post-production using CGI.
6. The film’s main cast includes Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum, but the original choice for the role of Dr. Alan Grant was Harrison Ford. However, Ford turned down the role, and it went to Neill instead.
7. The film’s budget was $63 million, which was considered high at the time. However, the film went on to gross over $1 billion at the box office, making it one of the highest-grossing films of all time.
8. The director, known for his efficient and improvisational style, left the cast in constant awe. “He’s like a general leading a brilliant operation,” said Goldblum, praising his creative will that was palpable on set. Goldblum added that the director would often spark new ideas by saying, “Okay, we did this. (snaps fingers) I know! Let’s get this and this and now let’s do that!” The cast couldn’t help but get caught up in his energy.
9. The film’s score was composed by John Williams, who had previously worked with Spielberg on films like Jaws and E.T. The score, which features the iconic Jurassic Park theme, won an Academy Award for Best Original Score.
10. Jurassic Park was based on a novel by Michael Crichton, who also co-wrote the film’s screenplay. Crichton’s novel was inspired by his fascination with science and the possibility of using genetic engineering to bring extinct species back to life.
Steven Spielberg has mentioned several reasons why he was drawn to making a film about dinosaurs.
As a child, Spielberg was fascinated with dinosaurs, and he was disappointed that he couldn’t see them in real life. He saw the opportunity to use film to bring them back to life and fulfill that childhood dream and he was intrigued by the idea of using cutting-edge technology to bring the dinosaurs to life on the big screen. He saw the potential to use computer-generated imagery (CGI) to create realistic-looking dinosaurs that would be indistinguishable from real ones.
Spielberg also saw the film as an opportunity to make a family-friendly adventure movie that would appeal to audiences of all ages: he wanted to create a film that was exciting and suspenseful but also fun and entertaining.
The production of Jurassic Park was a complex and challenging process that involved a massive crew, groundbreaking technology, and a tight schedule. Here are some key details about the production:
– Pre-production: Before filming began, director Steven Spielberg and his team spent months developing the script, designing the dinosaurs, and scouting locations. They also hired a team of experts, including paleontologists and animators, to ensure that the film was scientifically accurate.
– Filming: The film was shot over a period of several months, primarily on location in Hawaii and California. The crew faced numerous challenges during filming, including inclement weather, complex camera setups, and working with both animatronic and CGI dinosaurs.
– Animatronics: The filmmakers used a combination of animatronics and CGI to create the dinosaurs. The animatronics were created by Stan Winston Studios and were operated by a team of puppeteers. The dinosaurs were also fitted with motors and hydraulics to make them move realistically.
– CGI: Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) created the CGI dinosaurs using Silicon Graphics computers, which were state-of-the-art at the time. The animators spent months creating digital models of the dinosaurs and developing software that could simulate their movements and skin textures.
– Post-production: After filming wrapped, the film went through several months of post-production, which involved editing, adding visual effects, and recording the score. John Williams composed the film’s score, which was recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra.
– Marketing: The film’s marketing campaign was a huge success and helped to generate buzz before the film’s release. The marketing campaign included merchandise tie-ins, trailers, and even a Jurassic Park ride at Universal Studios.
Reception: Jurassic Park was a critical and commercial success when it was released in 1993. It was praised for its groundbreaking special effects, thrilling action sequences, and memorable characters. The film went on to win three Academy Awards and grossed over $1 billion at the box office.
Of the three films in the original Steven Spielberg-directed Jurassic Park trilogy, the one that had the most success was the first film, “Jurassic Park” (1993).
“Jurassic Park” was a groundbreaking film that used cutting-edge special effects to bring dinosaurs to life on screen in a way that had never been seen before. It was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $900 million worldwide and receiving three Academy Awards. The film is widely regarded as a classic and has had a lasting impact on popular culture and the film industry.
The sequels, “The Lost World: Jurassic Park” (1997) and “Jurassic Park III” (2001), were also successful at the box office, but not to the same extent as the original. Both films received mixed reviews from critics and audiences.
However, of the five Jurassic Park movies that have been released so far, the one that has had the most success is “Jurassic World” (2015), directed by Colin Trevorrow.
“Jurassic World” grossed over $1.6 billion worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing films of all time. It also received generally positive reviews from critics and audiences alike, who praised its action sequences, special effects, and nods to the original film.
The success of “Jurassic World” led to the release of two sequels, “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” (2018) and “Jurassic World: Dominion” (scheduled for release in 2022). However, it’s worth noting that the original “Jurassic Park” (1993), directed by Steven Spielberg, is widely regarded as a classic and has had a significant impact on popular culture and the film industry.
