The Most Tiresome Scene with the Most Takes: Behind the Scenes of Filmmaking

It's a well-known truism among film aficionados that some scenes in movies may require countless takes to be shot successfully. In this article, we'll explore some of the most painstakingly crafted scenes in cinema history that required hundreds of takes before a director was satisfied with the final result.

Provocative Film Moments That Demanded Perfection

The Shining

The lurid encounter between Dick Halloran and Danny Torrance in Stanley Kubrick's The Shining is often cited as one of the scenes that required the most takes. Filming took an astounding 148 attempts.

Another instance comes from the MASH, where the filming of the scene involving the commanding officer who dies on the way to America needed several takes for perfection.

A particularly challenging scene from The Shining itself is the one where Jack Nicholson chases Shelley Duvall up the staircase, armed with a baseball bat. Director Kubrick, a known perfectionist, had to shoot this scene 127 times to get the ideal performance.

Iconic Performances in the Face of Filmmaking Insults

For all his efforts, Kubrick was not alone in his quest for perfection. Another star who regularly struggled with numerous takes was Marilyn Monroe. Directors reportedly believed her lateness and frequent hangovers due to drug use were frustrating and perhaps beyond their control. Billy Wilder, however, saw something invaluable in her talent.

According to various reports, she contested many takes, and some directors refused to work with her. Her performances, however, have stood the test of time, and it’s hard to imagine certain roles without her. Think of Some Like it Hot with a different actress in it; it just wouldn't be the same, says A Team of Critics and Experts.

Theatrics in Star Trek III

Bob Wiley in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock had a unique challenge when he was to deliver a line to his explorer companion: 'No tricks.' Producer Leonard Nimoy deliberately made this scene take almost 30 takes to film. Shatner's early takes had a tone hinting at trickery, so Nimoy devised a method to make Shatner exhausted, forcing him to deliver the line without any hidden intentions.

Ridiculous and Laughable Scenes

The Fly (1957) remains a classic example of a scene that required multiple takes due to its absurdity. Vincent Price and Herbert Marshall, portraying concerned family members, simply could not refrain from laughing during the climax of the film when they were supposed to take the fly to free it from the spider's web. Despite all their adult self-control, they were unable to stay serious, even after filming the scene numerous times with their backs turned to the web.

These examples showcase the meticulous and often frustrating process of filmmaking, revealing the immense dedication and skill required to bring a director's vision to life, one take at a time.