Director I Admire, 'Aint That Different From The Rest Of Us

I’m listening to Ridley Scott’s director’s commentary on “Alien” this was a movie made in 1979. It was a hit. Though, while listening to the commentary, he went through some insane crap to get it made. I get it. It was his second movie after “The Duellist.” The stories of this shoot are legendary within the sci-fi industry. Constant bickering about this, that and the other. It was a struggle to make this movie. And it was basically a man versus a studio type atmosphere. Not in the least helped by the fact that it is also a science-fiction movie. Spaceships, and…well, aliens.

Fast forward 4 years later. I watched the making of “Blade Runner.” Despite a solid script by Hampton Fancher, they’d brought in another writer to futz around with small things director Ridley Scott wanted to change. The production looked like the living hell which also shows in the movie itself. I mean, it was grueling with casts hating on each other. The elements. Producers screaming at Ridley being too slow. And Ridley punishing them by going slower. They finished that movie by the skin of the their teeth. Literally they were going to strike the set, while production was racing to get the last shot done. No easy scene either. It was Rutger Hauer’s dying/powering down replicant scene with the dove and all that. The fact that you see the dawn peak, that was the sun coming up over Warner studios in Burbank.

On “Gladiator” I’ve sources that had told me that Ridley was always tinkering with ideas. He could never settle for what needed to be shot a certain day. Waffling ideas. And sometimes, randomly focused on THE most insignificant detail about nothing. His script suggestions would be considered to some, practically sabotage. And some even believe it’s a miracle it was finished. It won Best Picture…which to this day, I’m confused. That movie wasn’t that good.

I guess my point is, even a great director like Ridley is always at odds with himself. I think he’s gained a lot more confidence in his decisions when he goes down a familiar road. Otherwise, I believe all those earlier sacrifices of mental health afforded him the leeway to openly say dumb stuff. Or make a movie the way he wants to make it. I am comforted by knowing that there is fear within the best. Even by his track record and his talent, tossing yourself into the unknown is frightening. Sidney Lumet’s book “Making Movies” says it all. No matter how may pictures you have under your belt, you always believe you are a breath away from a disaster. Sometimes the hammer does fall. Imagine what Martin Brest is doing. Having had two back to back colossal blunders doesn’t do well for confidence. “Gigli” destroyed him from the inside, “Meet Joe Black” finished him off (or vice versa). This from the man who made two of my favorite movies “Beverly Hills Cop” & “Midnight Run.”

I think we’re all one conversation away from someone thinking we’re washed up too. That’s a tough way to live. How much is that glory worth.