Drafthouse Films is resurrecting the not-so-classic film Roar, one of the great work of hilarious hubris in cinematic history, by bringing it back to theaters. See all the dates here.
During the 11 years it took to make this movie, Tippi Hedren, Noel Marshall, family, cast, and crew sustained more than 70 injuries. The reason for those injuries is pretty obvious. There were dozens and dozens of lions in Hedren's makeshift southern California preserve that's featured in the film, which an (extremely) loosely plotted thriller more famous for the casualties than the characters.
How bad were the injuries? Hedren's daughter Melanie Griffith (yes, that Melanie Griffith) sustained an injury that required more than 100 stitches and reconstructive surgery. Cinematographer Jan de Bont was partially scalped by one of the lions, requiring more than 200 stitches. Hedren later told the Daily Mail, "We were stupid beyond belief to have that lion in our house," which may in fact be the understatement of the century.
Roar was finally released in 1981, going out like a lamb with just $2 million in box office receipts. This chronicle of family embarassment and horror is roaring back into theaters. At least there's this: No one died during the filming, which is more than some movies could say.
