Most Dangerous

Q: Which 1981 movie is considered the most dangerous movie ever made?

A: Roar

The Most Dangerous Movie Ever Made: Roar (1981)

When it comes to dangerous filmmaking, few movies compare to the sheer chaos of Roar, a 1981 adventure film that has since earned the title of “the most dangerous movie ever made.” Written, directed by, and starring Noel Marshall—alongside his real-life family, including Tippi Hedren and a young Melanie Griffith—Roar was filmed over 11 years and involved more than 150 untrained lions, tigers, leopards, and other big cats.

The film’s plot is simple: a wildlife preservationist lives harmoniously with dozens of wild cats in Africa, until his family unexpectedly arrives. What makes Roar infamous, however, is not its storyline but its production. The big cats were not trained actors; they were real animals roaming freely on set. As a result, more than 70 cast and crew members were injured during filming, including:

• Melanie Griffith, who needed facial reconstructive surgery after being mauled by a lion.
• Director/star Noel Marshall, who was bitten multiple times and hospitalized.
• Cinematographer Jan de Bont, who was scalped and required over 200 stitches.

Despite the risks and spiralling costs, the film was completed and released in 1981. However, it was a commercial failure and disappeared for decades—until it gained cult status in the 2010s for its surreal behind-the-scenes story.

Roar stands as a fascinating and terrifying testament to filmmaking without safety protocols. While it may be a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience, it’s also a powerful reminder of the line between ambition and recklessness in art.