Roar

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Allan C Alamo Drafthouse Films marketed the re-release of this film as "It's like Walt Disney went insane and shot a snuff version of Swiss Family Robinson," and that's a pretty apt description. The story, such as it is, has a family visiting their dad in Africa, where he's studying lions by living with them. When they arrive at his compound, he’s not there, and they then find themselves running and screaming from an assortment of big cats for the duration of the film. In real life, actress Tippi Hedren, while filming SATAN'S HARVEST in Mozambique, hit on the idea of making a movie about lions taking over a house. She and her family, including her daughter, a teenage Melanie Griffith, accumulated over 150 lions, tigers, and assorted big cats to make the film. First, housing the cats in their Beverly Hills home (Look up the pictures from LIFE magazine. It's unbelievable!) and then later moved them to a ranch where they shot the film. ROAR features terrible acting, no real story, and inconsistent photography and editing, but I could not keep my eyes off of it! This is a film that would never get made today or really at any time other than by a family of crazy people. The stars of the film, besides Hedrin and Griffith, are comprised of Hedrin's husband and stepsons, who shot the film over 5 years, during which time Tippi had her leg broken by an elephant, Melanie had her face mauled, requiring 50 stitches and facial reconstructive surgery (the mauling even made the final cut of the film!), and director of photography Jan De Bont, who'd later go on to direct SPEED and photograph big budget Hollywood flicks like DIE HARD and BASIC INSTINCT, had 220 stitches on the back of his head after a mauling. There's another scene where a lion is on top of Griffith, and she's shouting the safe word for them to cut, which was her stepfather's name, Noel, but they thought she was yelling "No" and didn't cut, leaving the lion on top of her, biting and pawing at her hair. It’s terrifying! This is a movie that needs to be seen to be believed. It’s bonkers on so many levels! While objectively not a good film, I was absolutely riveted by the real-life dangers I was witnessing on screen. Sheer insanity! ROAR is probably going to be my new favorite film to recommend to people. Do yourself a favor and watch it now! Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 05/05/25 Full Review Tidge H Four stories Into this series, and I find it extremely disappointing. Goes to show that no matter what headliners you have cast in a series, it does not guarantee success. What a bummer. Rated 0.5/5 Stars •  Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 05/02/22 Full Review Audience Member I agree with the summary of RottenTomatoes for this movie. How many lions can you get into a room? Do they have the ability to go through tiny places as a cat? The movie would be more impressive if you don't think life of people was in danger most of the time. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Audience Member Extremely badly edited with a ridiculous storyline but totally worth a watch to see 80s actors flee giant cats, The footage captured is unbelieveable in the way the actors interact with the lions and tigers and other giant cats, if you're into whacky stuff and enjoy seeing giant cats up close on film then I highly reccomend. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/15/23 Full Review delysid d this is a great film Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/12/19 Full Review Audience Member Amazing movie...one of a kind...so glad I got to see it. For those who complained about the acting, dialogue and lack of story...you have no idea what you watched. Go see a fast-paced, CGI, Hollywood action movie...it will hold your attention better. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/23/18 Full Review Read all reviews

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