WEBVTT
1
00:00:03.960 --> 00:00:09.240
A film about love and loss and redemption, brings about
2
00:00:09.279 --> 00:00:16.519
its own story of untimely death and youthful exuberance Silence forever.
3
00:00:17.679 --> 00:00:20.760
This is the story of Brandon Lee and his untimely
4
00:00:20.920 --> 00:00:28.320
death on the Crow. We're telling that story tonight.
5
00:00:28.640 --> 00:00:32.920
What you were about to beat is spur to you.
6
00:00:34.479 --> 00:00:42.159
Based on witness accounts, testimatis, and public record. This is
7
00:00:44.000 --> 00:00:46.759
terrifying and truth.
8
00:00:53.880 --> 00:00:58.759
On May tenth, nineteen ninety four, The Crow was released
9
00:00:58.799 --> 00:01:02.840
in theaters. I was around nine years old at the time,
10
00:01:03.479 --> 00:01:07.840
but my sister was a teenager. A teenage girl, of course,
11
00:01:08.120 --> 00:01:11.239
has to go see The Crow. I was dragged along
12
00:01:12.000 --> 00:01:15.959
and had a wonderful time watching Brandon Lee's masterful performance.
13
00:01:16.519 --> 00:01:18.640
I had grown up a massive fan of his father,
14
00:01:18.719 --> 00:01:22.480
Bruce Leie. But what made The Crow even more fascinating
15
00:01:22.560 --> 00:01:25.120
was the fact that as it was released, we all
16
00:01:25.200 --> 00:01:28.840
knew about his untimely and tragic death. Now, as an
17
00:01:28.879 --> 00:01:32.359
adult making my living in the feature film business, this
18
00:01:32.439 --> 00:01:36.159
story rings more true than ever that films can be
19
00:01:36.879 --> 00:01:41.239
deadly at times. So let's dive into the story of
20
00:01:41.280 --> 00:01:57.079
Brandon Lee's death. After these quick words. In the storied
21
00:01:57.159 --> 00:02:00.920
annals of cinematic history, few of the events have ignited
22
00:02:01.000 --> 00:02:05.640
as much sorrow and controversy as the untimely death of
23
00:02:05.760 --> 00:02:09.400
Brandon Lee on set of the nineteen ninety three film
24
00:02:09.479 --> 00:02:13.680
The Crow. Lee, the son of martial arts legend Bruce Lee,
25
00:02:14.240 --> 00:02:17.680
tragically met his end in a manner that hauntingly mirrored
26
00:02:18.039 --> 00:02:24.879
the mysterious circumstances surrounding his father's early demise. This profound
27
00:02:24.919 --> 00:02:29.280
incident not only marked a moment of devastating loss, but
28
00:02:29.360 --> 00:02:33.560
also cast a long shadow over Hollywood, stirring debates and
29
00:02:33.639 --> 00:02:40.080
discussions about safety protocols on film sets. Brandon Lee's journey
30
00:02:40.240 --> 00:02:44.599
was one of immense potential and bright promise. Having stepped
31
00:02:44.599 --> 00:02:48.240
out from the giant shadow of his iconic father, he
32
00:02:48.400 --> 00:02:51.400
was on the path to carving his own way in
33
00:02:51.479 --> 00:02:55.240
the world of acting. The Crow, a film that dealt
34
00:02:55.280 --> 00:02:59.800
with themes of love, vengeance, and resurrection, was set to
35
00:02:59.840 --> 00:03:03.000
be d his breakout role that would establish him as
36
00:03:03.039 --> 00:03:07.159
a leading star in his own right. However, on March
37
00:03:07.199 --> 00:03:12.599
thirty first, nineteen ninety three, a dark turn took place.
38
00:03:13.680 --> 00:03:17.520
A sequence of grave errors culminated in a real life
39
00:03:17.599 --> 00:03:23.439
tragedy that paralleled the films somber narrative. As we delve
40
00:03:23.599 --> 00:03:28.240
deeper into the cascade of misfortunes and oversights that led
41
00:03:28.280 --> 00:03:33.080
to this heartbreaking incident. We'll explore the detailed accounts of
42
00:03:33.120 --> 00:03:37.919
that fateful day, the safety measures that were tragically lacking,
43
00:03:38.639 --> 00:03:43.439
and the aftermath that prompted a reevaluation of safety standards
44
00:03:43.439 --> 00:03:48.479
in filmmaking, and will attempt to provide a comprehensive understanding
45
00:03:49.039 --> 00:03:51.039
of the events that led to the loss of a
46
00:03:51.080 --> 00:03:57.520
promising young actor whose life was cut tragically short. Born
47
00:03:57.639 --> 00:04:02.000
into the extraordinary legacy of Bruce Brandon, Lee was on
48
00:04:02.080 --> 00:04:04.680
the brink of stepping out of his father's long and
49
00:04:04.919 --> 00:04:09.479
enigmatic shadow to claim his own spot in the limelight.
50
00:04:10.360 --> 00:04:13.800
His portrayal of Eric Draven and the Crow, a character
51
00:04:14.039 --> 00:04:18.720
entwined in a gritty narrative of love, revenge, and otherworldly redemption,
52
00:04:19.480 --> 00:04:22.959
was not just a role, but a potential launch pad
53
00:04:23.160 --> 00:04:28.399
into the stratosphere of mainstream cinematic success. Drenched in gothic
54
00:04:28.439 --> 00:04:32.879
overtones and pulsing with a dark, poetic rhythm, the film
55
00:04:33.040 --> 00:04:38.199
seemed tailor made for Lee, whose intense, soulful performance promised
56
00:04:38.199 --> 00:04:43.439
to capture the hearts of audiences and critics alike. However,
57
00:04:43.839 --> 00:04:49.160
fate had written a different chilling script. In an eerie
58
00:04:49.279 --> 00:04:53.319
echo of the film's own themes, Brandon's burgeoning career was
59
00:04:53.319 --> 00:04:58.079
abruptly and tragically cut short on that fateful night. A
60
00:04:58.120 --> 00:05:01.759
bizarre blend of misfortune and over on set led to
61
00:05:01.800 --> 00:05:04.600
a real life tragedy that seemed ripped from the pages
62
00:05:04.639 --> 00:05:09.720
of a particularly grim screenplay. As Brandon Lee prepared for
63
00:05:09.800 --> 00:05:15.079
a scene that involved fake gunfire, the prop firearm, loaded
64
00:05:15.120 --> 00:05:20.639
with what was believed to be relatively harmless blanks, discharged
65
00:05:20.680 --> 00:05:27.279
a fatal projectile. The incident was a truly ghastly accident,
66
00:05:27.720 --> 00:05:31.480
a macabre twist that blurred the lines between Eric Draven's
67
00:05:31.480 --> 00:05:37.040
fictional world and Brandon Lee's all to real one. This
68
00:05:37.199 --> 00:05:41.079
grim event, wrapped in the spectral shroud of a cursed legacy,
69
00:05:41.439 --> 00:05:46.000
invites a spine tingling exploration of the eerie parallels between
70
00:05:46.000 --> 00:05:49.560
Brandon Lee and the character he so brilliantly brought to
71
00:05:49.639 --> 00:05:54.600
life and death. As we delve into the shadowed narrative
72
00:05:54.639 --> 00:05:58.000
of his legacy, we uncover not just a tale of
73
00:05:58.040 --> 00:06:03.399
potential and loss, but also a haunting reminder of the
74
00:06:03.480 --> 00:06:09.120
thin veil between art and life, where sometimes the two
75
00:06:09.160 --> 00:06:15.319
can tragically collide in the most unexpected of ways. On
76
00:06:15.399 --> 00:06:19.920
the evening of March thirty first, nineteen ninety three, in
77
00:06:20.040 --> 00:06:24.000
North Carolina, the set of The Crow was buzzing with
78
00:06:24.079 --> 00:06:29.040
the usual blend of anticipation and routine chaos that accompanies
79
00:06:29.079 --> 00:06:33.360
any film production. The task at hand was a pivotal scene,
80
00:06:33.839 --> 00:06:37.839
one that required Brandon Lee's character Eric Draven to fall
81
00:06:37.959 --> 00:06:41.800
victim to a gangster's bullet, a dramatic moment that was
82
00:06:41.839 --> 00:06:46.480
supposed to be safely choreographed using a prop gun loaded
83
00:06:46.519 --> 00:06:51.920
with blanks. These blanks, designed to provide the loud report
84
00:06:52.000 --> 00:06:55.920
and bright muzzle flash of real gunfire, were meant to
85
00:06:55.959 --> 00:07:01.680
be relatively harmless. They contained no bullet, ensuring the bang
86
00:07:02.079 --> 00:07:07.600
would thrill audiences without the lethal consequences. As the cameras
87
00:07:07.680 --> 00:07:11.439
rolled and the actors took their marks, the atmosphere was electric,
88
00:07:11.920 --> 00:07:17.000
charged with the energy of creating cinematic magic. The scene
89
00:07:17.079 --> 00:07:21.720
unfolded with all the intensity befitting a climactic moment. The
90
00:07:21.800 --> 00:07:27.600
antagonist raised the prop gun, aimed at Eric Draven, and
91
00:07:27.720 --> 00:07:32.319
pulled the trigger. A loud pop echoed through the set,
92
00:07:32.920 --> 00:07:38.439
followed by the usual smoke, but this time the outcome
93
00:07:38.600 --> 00:07:43.639
was disastrously different. What was supposed to be a routine sequence,
94
00:07:44.079 --> 00:07:47.720
took a grim turn when, unbeknownst to the cast and crew,
95
00:07:48.600 --> 00:07:51.920
a tragic error had been made in the handling of
96
00:07:51.959 --> 00:07:56.839
the prop gun. In a cruel twist of fate, something
97
00:07:56.879 --> 00:08:00.920
had gone horribly wrong with the blanks, turning what should
98
00:08:00.959 --> 00:08:06.199
have been a harmless effect into a deadly shot. The
99
00:08:06.240 --> 00:08:09.839
echo of the blank was followed by a silence that
100
00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:15.639
was heavy with confusion and growing horror as Lee collapsed.
101
00:08:17.040 --> 00:08:23.160
He wasn't acting, he was in genuine distress. This tragic
102
00:08:23.279 --> 00:08:27.399
moment on a seemingly ordinary night transformed the set from
103
00:08:27.399 --> 00:08:31.399
a place of creative storytelling to a scene of real
104
00:08:31.439 --> 00:08:36.440
life urgency and dread. The incident would soon ripple out,
105
00:08:37.279 --> 00:08:41.840
causing a new light to shine over Hollywood and reigniting
106
00:08:41.879 --> 00:08:46.399
debates about safety standards in filmmaking. It was a night
107
00:08:46.480 --> 00:08:50.679
that was supposed to be about crafting movie magic and suspense,
108
00:08:51.240 --> 00:08:55.759
but instead it ended with a real and heartbreaking tragedy
109
00:08:56.440 --> 00:09:02.480
that blurred the lines between fiction and reality. The tragic
110
00:09:02.559 --> 00:09:05.879
outcome can be traced back to a series of mishaps
111
00:09:05.919 --> 00:09:10.360
that began well before that night. Weeks prior, the same
112
00:09:10.480 --> 00:09:15.000
prop gun was used with dummy cartridges for a close
113
00:09:15.080 --> 00:09:19.919
up shot. These cartridges were designed to look authentic on camera,
114
00:09:20.679 --> 00:09:25.399
containing no gunpowder, but retaining a primer at the base
115
00:09:26.279 --> 00:09:32.360
capable of a partial discharge. Crucially, one of these dummy
116
00:09:32.399 --> 00:09:36.480
cartridges had not been properly cleared from the gun. Its
117
00:09:36.559 --> 00:09:41.519
primer was intact, and a bullet tip was unknowingly lodged
118
00:09:42.000 --> 00:09:46.759
in the barrel. On the night that Lee was fatally wounded,
119
00:09:47.080 --> 00:09:50.159
the prop gun was loaded with blanks, which are typically
120
00:09:50.279 --> 00:09:54.679
used for their loud sound and muzzle flash. However, the
121
00:09:54.720 --> 00:10:00.559
presence of the lodged bullet transformed the harmless blank into
122
00:10:00.600 --> 00:10:05.559
a deadly projectile. When the actor Michael Massey pulled the trigger,
123
00:10:06.240 --> 00:10:09.480
the force of the blank's discharge propelled the bullet tip
124
00:10:10.120 --> 00:10:16.879
with lethal force, striking Lee in the abdomen. As Brandon
125
00:10:16.960 --> 00:10:19.639
Lee fell to the ground, the initial reaction from the
126
00:10:19.759 --> 00:10:25.240
crew was a mixture of confusion and mild applause. Many
127
00:10:25.360 --> 00:10:29.120
thought they had just witnessed a masterful performance, the mark
128
00:10:29.159 --> 00:10:33.360
of an actor fully committed to his role, but the
129
00:10:33.440 --> 00:10:37.360
set quickly descended into chaos as it became apparent that
130
00:10:37.480 --> 00:10:43.519
something was terribly wrong. The director called cut, but Lee
131
00:10:44.600 --> 00:10:49.600
remained motionless. The reality of the situation dawning on everyone
132
00:10:49.679 --> 00:10:55.200
present with a chilling clarity. Panic ensued as the crew
133
00:10:55.279 --> 00:11:00.000
scrambled to understand what had happened. Emergency services were called
134
00:11:00.240 --> 00:11:04.639
and Lee was urgently rushed to the hospital. There, teams
135
00:11:04.679 --> 00:11:09.000
of surgeons worked feverishly through the night, battling to repair
136
00:11:09.120 --> 00:11:14.960
the extensive damage caused by the projectile. The hours stretched on,
137
00:11:15.279 --> 00:11:18.840
filled with a tense, palpable hope among those waiting at
138
00:11:18.840 --> 00:11:24.000
the hospital and on set. Despite their heroic efforts and
139
00:11:24.080 --> 00:11:28.120
the prayers of countless fans and loved ones, Brandon Lee
140
00:11:28.720 --> 00:11:33.679
succumbed to his injuries. His death sent shockwaves through the
141
00:11:33.679 --> 00:11:39.879
film community, leaving colleagues devastated and fans worldwide mourning the
142
00:11:39.919 --> 00:11:44.879
loss of a bright star who had shown far too briefly.
143
00:11:46.279 --> 00:11:49.840
The tragic loss of Brandon Lee did more than plunge
144
00:11:49.879 --> 00:11:54.919
the film industry into mourning. It revived painful memories of
145
00:11:54.960 --> 00:12:00.679
another premature departure, that of his father, Bruce Lee, who
146
00:12:00.679 --> 00:12:05.120
had passed under equally mysterious circumstances at the height of
147
00:12:05.159 --> 00:12:09.960
his career. This eerie similarity between the fates of father
148
00:12:10.080 --> 00:12:14.639
and son brought forth whispers of a Lee Family Curse,
149
00:12:15.600 --> 00:12:19.159
a narrative that captured the imagination of fans and the
150
00:12:19.240 --> 00:12:24.399
media alike. Speculation swirled around this notion of a curse,
151
00:12:24.919 --> 00:12:28.960
weaving a tale as captivating and tragic as any film
152
00:12:29.039 --> 00:12:33.679
the Lees had made. An uncanny combination of youthful promise,
153
00:12:34.120 --> 00:12:40.039
sudden tragedy, and the grim specter of unfulfilled potential marked
154
00:12:40.039 --> 00:12:45.440
the deaths of both Bruce and Brandon Lee. This narrative
155
00:12:45.480 --> 00:12:48.879
of a curse served as a poignant backdrop to their legacies,
156
00:12:49.320 --> 00:12:53.000
framing the story of a family seemingly destined for greatness
157
00:12:53.559 --> 00:13:00.320
but marred by tragedy. The discussions extended beyond mere superstition,
158
00:13:01.039 --> 00:13:04.600
prompting a serious reflection on the safety protocols within the
159
00:13:04.759 --> 00:13:10.240
entertainment industry. For many, the curse was less about supernatural
160
00:13:10.360 --> 00:13:15.039
forces and more a tragic emblem of the genuine dangers
161
00:13:15.120 --> 00:13:21.000
actors face in their pursuit of perfecting their craft. It
162
00:13:21.159 --> 00:13:24.080
served as a sad reminder of the need for stringent
163
00:13:24.159 --> 00:13:28.960
safety measures to prevent such heartbreaking losses in the future,
164
00:13:29.759 --> 00:13:33.000
ensuring that the art of cinema does not come at
165
00:13:33.000 --> 00:13:39.320
the cost of the artists themselves. Years after Brandon Lee's
166
00:13:39.399 --> 00:13:44.120
untimely death. The film industry was once again shaken by
167
00:13:44.159 --> 00:13:48.320
a similar tragedy. On the set of the film Rust.
168
00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:52.559
Actor Alec Baldwin was involved in a fatal accident when
169
00:13:52.600 --> 00:13:58.000
a prop gun he was using discharged unexpectedly, resulting in
170
00:13:58.039 --> 00:14:03.039
the death of cinematographer Helena Hutchins. This incident echoed the
171
00:14:03.080 --> 00:14:07.399
past and served as a harrowing reminder that despite advancements
172
00:14:07.399 --> 00:14:12.080
and increased awareness around set safety, the potential for danger
173
00:14:12.200 --> 00:14:17.480
remains a critical concern. The parallels between these two incidents
174
00:14:17.559 --> 00:14:22.960
highlight a persistent vulnerability in film production, underscoring the imperative
175
00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:28.320
for continuous improvement in safety protocols. They also demonstrate that
176
00:14:28.440 --> 00:14:33.159
lessons from past tragedies must be actively remembered and implemented
177
00:14:33.639 --> 00:14:38.879
in order to prevent future occurrences. These events have catalyzed
178
00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:44.080
discussions across the industry, from small independent productions to major
179
00:14:44.159 --> 00:14:49.759
studio films, emphasizing the need for rigorously checked and maintained equipment,
180
00:14:50.399 --> 00:14:54.440
thorough training for all personnel handling dangerous props, and a
181
00:14:54.480 --> 00:15:01.519
culture that prioritizes safety over spectacle. Decades have passed since
182
00:15:01.559 --> 00:15:05.120
The Crow was released, yet the film endures as a
183
00:15:05.159 --> 00:15:11.120
powerful cultural artifact, cherished by fans worldwide. Its dark, brooding
184
00:15:11.159 --> 00:15:15.519
atmosphere and rich Gothic esthetic have cemented its status as
185
00:15:15.519 --> 00:15:20.480
a cult classic, appealing to audiences drawn to love, vengeance,
186
00:15:20.559 --> 00:15:24.919
and redemption. More than just a film, The Crow is
187
00:15:24.960 --> 00:15:30.440
a living tribute to Brandon Lee, showcasing his intense, charismatic
188
00:15:30.519 --> 00:15:36.960
performance that promised a stellar career ahead. Brandon Lee's portrayal
189
00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:40.360
of Eric Draven remains a poignant testament to his talent
190
00:15:40.759 --> 00:15:46.159
and artistic potential. His dynamic presence and emotional depth resonates
191
00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:49.600
through his performance, turning what could have been a standard
192
00:15:49.679 --> 00:15:55.000
revenge thriller into a moving exploration of grief and justice.
193
00:15:55.480 --> 00:16:00.559
The film's ongoing popularity ensures that new generations discover and
194
00:16:00.679 --> 00:16:05.840
appreciate Lee's work, while longtime fans revisit the film to
195
00:16:05.960 --> 00:16:11.559
honor his memory. Moreover, The Crow has inspired countless adaptations
196
00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:16.320
and influenced a wide array of artistic expressions, from music
197
00:16:16.440 --> 00:16:20.399
to fashion to visual arts. Each iteration a nod to
198
00:16:20.480 --> 00:16:25.200
the film's unique impact as a symbol of artistic integrity
199
00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:30.559
and personal tragedy. The film and Brandon Lee's legacy continue
200
00:16:30.600 --> 00:16:35.919
to inspire discussions about the intersections of life, art, and
201
00:16:35.960 --> 00:16:41.840
the immutable presence of fate. As the credits roll on
202
00:16:41.919 --> 00:16:45.279
Brandon Lee's final film, the legacy of his life and
203
00:16:45.320 --> 00:16:48.559
the circumstances of his death continue to evoke a mix
204
00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:53.600
of sorrow, intrigue, and reflection. His story is a stark
205
00:16:53.679 --> 00:16:58.639
memento of the thin line between art and reality, a
206
00:16:58.759 --> 00:17:03.240
narrative forever marked by tragedy, yet underscored by a profound
207
00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:09.119
cultural impact. Through revisiting this tragic tale, we honor his
208
00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:12.920
memory and the indelible mark he left both on and
209
00:17:13.079 --> 00:17:17.599
off the screen, ensuring that while his life was cut short,
210
00:17:17.799 --> 00:17:22.720
his legacy will forever resonate in the annals of film history.
211
00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:28.480
Terrifying and True is narrated by Enrique Kuta. Its executive
212
00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:32.559
produced by Rob Fields, Mark Shields and Bobletopia dot com.
213
00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:37.039
It's produced by Dan Wilder with original music by Ray Mattis.
214
00:17:37.359 --> 00:17:39.160
If you have a story you'd like us to cover,
215
00:17:39.279 --> 00:17:42.599
send us an email at Weekly Spooky at gmail dot com.
216
00:17:42.599 --> 00:17:44.279
And if you want to support us directly for as
217
00:17:44.279 --> 00:17:47.240
little as one dollar a month, simply go to Weeklyspooky
218
00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:50.880
dot com and click on Patreon. Your support helps us
219
00:17:50.960 --> 00:17:54.559
keep the podcast going. And growing, and speaking of I
220
00:17:54.599 --> 00:17:56.240
want to say an extra special thank you to our
221
00:17:56.279 --> 00:17:59.319
Patreon podcast boosters, folks who pay us a little bit
222
00:17:59.319 --> 00:18:01.079
more to hear their name at the end of the show.
223
00:18:01.279 --> 00:18:05.119
And they are Johnny Nicks, Jenny Green, Amber Hansford, Brent McCullough,
224
00:18:05.240 --> 00:18:08.119
Karen we Met, Jack Kerr and Craig Cohen. Thank you
225
00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:10.599
all so much, and thank you all for listening. We'll
226
00:18:10.640 --> 00:18:14.240
see you right here next time on Terrifying and True,
227
00:18:14.480 --> 00:18:16.960
on Weekly Spooky