FILM 1971: MINDHUNTERS

FILM 1971: MINDHUNTERS

TRIVIA: The primary reason the film was able to be done on such a modest budget was due to a generous tax break from the Dutch government.

Val Kilmer's next role was as the infamous porn legend John Holmes in Wonderland(2003). In order to secure Kilmer's participation, he was allowed to grow out his hair during the filming of this movie. 

The studio did not cast any character as a lead. Director Renny Harlin wanted no dummy characters or obvious victims and established a sense that "anyone could die at any moment" in the film.

A large part of the movie was filmed on the location where the Dutch anti riot police (Mobiele Eenheid) is trained. It's a fake village where riots are simulated. There are still some traces of the movie. For instance, there still hangs a large poster on a wall, as can be seen in the movie.

DIRECTOR CAMEO: Renny Harlin: a mannequin holding a phone in a phone booth late in the film.

DIRECTOR TRADEMARK: Renny Harlin: [Finland] When the others leave Vince and Gabe alone in the basement room, Finland's flag is seen on the wall

FILM 1811: BROKEN ARROW

FILM 1811: BROKEN ARROW

TRIVIA: John Travolta was given the choice of playing either Deakins or Hale in the film. He chose the villain Deakins.

The phrase "broken arrow" is not actually used to refer to the theft, loss or seizure of nuclear weapons or components from the U.S.;that's known as an "empty quiver". A "broken arrow" is defined by CJCSI 3150.03B, Joint Reporting Structure Event and Incident Reports, as a US nuclear weapon accident that does not create the risk of a nuclear war.

Samantha Mathis asked friend Sandra Bullock for tips on doing action scenes. Bullock told her to hum the James Bond theme before every take.

As preparation for his role in this movie, Christian Slater gave up smoking.

During the final few blows of the last fist fight, as Hale is punching and kicking, growls and roars of large cats (i.e. lions, tigers, etc.) can be heard.

John Travolta's character Deakins took off his uniform after he revealed himself to be a traitor because it was requested by the military.

The film's soundtrack was reused in Scream 2 (1997).

FILM 1350: MURDER IN THE FIRST

TRIVIA: Blanche, the prostitute that James Stamphill brings to visit Henri Young (Kevin Bacon) in prison, is played by Kyra Sedgwick who was (and still is) Kevin Bacon's real-life wife.

The real life Henry Young was a bank robber who had taken and brutalized a hostage on at least one occasion and committed murder in 1933 - some 3 years before being incarcerated at Alcatraz. He had served time in State prisons in Montana and Washington before entering Federal prison for the first time in 1935 at the U.S. Penitentiary on McNeil Island, Washington (which is now a State prison).

The warden in the film, James Humson, is based on Warden James A. Johnston, who served as warden of Alcatraz from 1934 to 1948. Far from being a befuddled bureaucrat, Warden Johnston was very much in charge during his tenure on Alcatraz. Johnston had previously served as warden of both San Quentin and Folsom Prisons prior to his appointment to Alcatraz, but he did not (as depicted in the film) serve as warden for all three prisons simultaneously. (This would have been impossible, because Alcatraz was a federal prison, and San Quentin and Folsom are both state prisons.)

Kevin Bacon lost 20 pounds to play Henri Young.

According to an interview, film director Oliver Stone claims to have auditioned for the role of D.A. William McNeil, that was ultimately given to William H. Macy.

According to Stephen Tobolowsky, Oliver Stone was originally cast as Mr. Henkin but did not show up on the day of filming. Mark Rocco called Tobolowsky to take over the role just hours before shooting.

One of three movies featuring Kevin Bacon opposite Gary Oldman. The other movies are Criminal Law (1988) and JFK (1991).

Film 1081: Pump Up the Volume

Trivia: Lala Sloatman (Janie) and Ahmet Zappa (Jamie) are real life cousins, but played girlfriend/boyfriend in the movie.

Christian Slater became physically ill several times during filming due to all the cigarette smoking he had to do.

Samantha Mathis and Christian Slater later went to to star in two other film projects together: "Fern Gully: The Last Rainforest" and "Broken Arrow".