Lawrence of Arabia behind the scenes.

Since having won 7 oscars in 1963 Lawrence of Arabia has become one of the most influential films ever made. Its cinematography set a benchmark for visual storytelling, influencing directors like Spielberg, Ridley Scott, and Kubrick. 1/22 Lawrence of Arabia is primarily adapted from T.E. Lawrence's 1926 book, "Seven Pillars of Wisdom". This autobiographical account details his experiences during the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire in World War I

The Last Samurai Behind the scenes

The Last Samurai (2003) grossed $456 million worldwide, making it the sixth-highest-grossing film of that year. The movie had a budget of $140 million.🧵 Tom Cruise spent almost two years in preparation for this movie, including swordplay instruction and Japanese-language lessons.

Director Edward Zwick (Legends of the Fall, Blood Diamond, Pawn sacrifice) Spent 2 years researching Japan in the 1800s.

It's A Wonderful Life Behind the scenes.

Director Frank Capra often said that this was his favorite of all his films. “I want to put into your heads that the world is not all evil. Yes, we do have nightmares, but we also have dreams. 🧵 We do have villainy, but we also have great compassion among ourselves. That’s all I’m here for, really, to try to tell you that there’s good in the world. And that it’s wonderful.”

During the Battle of Montgisard King Baldwin IV ordered the relic of the True Cross to be raised in front of his troops.

The King, whose body was already ravaged by aggressive leprosy, was helped from his horse and dropped to his knees before the cross. ⚔️🧵... He prayed to God for victory and rose to his feet to cheers from his men, who were moved by what they had just witnessed.

He was only 16 Years old.

TROY (2004) Behind The Scenes.

Director Wolfgang Petersen (Das Boot,The Neverending Story,The Perfect Storm) had been offered the chance to direct Gladiator, but turned it down. His regret at this decision was partly why he agreed to direct this film.🧵 Christopher Nolan was offered the opportunity to direct the film.

Wolfgang Petersen left the proposed Batman Vs. Superman project to direct. Brad Pitt left The Fountain (2006), and was replaced by Hugh Jackman.

Lord Of The Rings The Fellowship Of The Ring.

Behind the scenes.

This movie, The Two Towers (2002),The Return of the King (2003) were filmed simultaneously. The back-to-back-to-back shoot lasted 274 days across sixteen months🧵 Sir Christopher Lee (Saruman) read "The Lord of the Rings" once a year until his death in 2015, and had done so since the year it was published. He was also the only member of the cast and crew ever to have met J.R.R. Tolkien.

Ben-Hur (1959) Behind the scenes..

By the time filming had finished, MGM's London laboratories had processed over 1,250,000 feet of 65mm Eastman Color film, at the cost of one dollar per foot.🧵 Paul Newman was offered the role of Judah Ben-Hur but turned it down because he'd already done one Biblical-era film, The Silver Chalice (1954), and hated the experience. He also said it taught him that "he didn't have the legs to wear a tunic."

The Passion Of The Christ behind the scenes.

The Passion had more pre-ticket sales than any other film in history until Star Wars, Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015) presales beat it.🧵 This is the highest grossing foreign language film or subtitled film in U.S. box office history. It is also the highest grossing religious film in the worldwide box office of all time.

Gladiator behind the scenes

For the main protagonist Maximus, Ridley Scott wanted a fresh face for the role, and @russellcrowe was cast.🧵 The opening battle scene was filmed in Bourne Woods, Surrey, England. The Royal Forestry Commission had originally slated the area for deforestation, so Ridley Scott eagerly offered them his facilities to burn the woods to the ground. The Commission happily accepted.

Apocalypto behind the scenes

The man on the promotional poster for the film is not Jaguar Paw but one of his pursuers, Middle Eye, the vicious member of Zero Wolf's group who dubs Jaguar Paw "Almost". Spoilers!🧵 The movie opens with this quote. Most civilizations destroy themselves from within. The West is experiencing its own suicide as we speak.

The movie is loosely based on the Mayan civilization who sacrificed their own. Sound Familiar?

Kingdom of Heaven behind the scenes.

Sir Ridley Scott disowned the theatrical cut. He claims that the Director's Cut is the definitive version.🧵 Edward Norton was briefly considered for the role of Guy, but upon reading the script he lobbied for the role of King Baldwin, because the King appears behind a mask, he requested not to be credited. However, his name was put back in the DVD releases of the film.

Master and Commander behind the scenes.

This film was intended to be the first entry in a franchise. However, due to low box-office numbers, no sequels were ever made, despite critical acclaim and multiple Oscar nominations.🧵 The movie combines two novels - "Master and Commander" and "The Far Side of the World". Both deal with chasing down a privateer and the movie combines the long chase of the latter with the furious climactic battle of the former.

Braveheart behind the scenes

Mel Gibson initially turned down the role of William Wallace, as he felt he was too old for the part. However, Paramount Pictures would only finance the film if Gibson played the lead role, so he agreed.🧵 When asked by a local why the Battle of Stirling Bridge was filmed on an open plain, Gibson answered that "the bridge got in the way." "Aye," the local answered. "That's what the English found."