The Tragic End of Brandon Lee: The Accidental Shooting on Set of 'The Crow'

Brandon Lee, the son of martial arts legend Bruce Lee, died on December 24, 2019, during the filming of 'The Crow'. This event is a reminder of the dangers that actors and filmmakers face on set. Let's delve into the circumstances surrounding his tragic death.

Circumstances of Brandon Lee's Death

On Christmas Eve, Brandon Lee was shot and killed on the set of 'The Crow'. This sad event is a testament to the accidental nature of his death rather than any intentional act. The following events led to his untimely demise.

Mishap on the Set

During the filming of a specific scene for 'The Crow', the propsmaster, not the armsmaster, incorrectly handled a firearm. After a close-up scene required a gun to be loaded, merely cocked, and pointed at the camera, real brass caps were used, but they lacked gunpowder. This setup was intended to make the gun look realistic but to remain safe on set.

After the shooting of the close-up scene, the propsmaster, who had left for the day, accidentally dry-fired the gun, causing a blank cartridge to remain in the barrel of the gun. The next scene involved loading blanks into the gun to create a louder and more dramatic effect for a rape scene.

Fateful Scene and Aftermath

When it came time to film the rape scene in 'The Crow', Lee entered the set carrying a bag of groceries, including an explosive blood pack. The script called for Michael Masden to shoot Lee as he entered the room, triggering the blood pack. Due to the accidental presence of the dummy slug head, a cartridge from the barrel was propelled through the bag and struck Lee in the abdomen, causing his death.

The footage of Lee's death was destroyed without being developed, preserving the mystery and tragedy of this incident for posterity.

Precautionary Measures and Protocol

Mishaps like this are rare but can have severe consequences. On film sets, precautions are taken to ensure the safety of actors and crew. Dummy slug heads are used to simulate loaded chambers in close-up shots, and propsmasters and safety coordinators handle the guns carefully. Typically, the real bullets or dummy heads are removed before more intense scenes are performed.

In the case of Brandon Lee, the production was under a heavy schedule and rush, contributing to the oversight. The dummy head was missed, leading to the tragic outcome. The failure to ensure proper safety protocols and the rushed nature of the production were factors in the tragic event.

His son of martial arts legend Bruce Lee, Brandon's untimely death adds to the intrigue and sadness surrounding 'The Crow's' production. The circumstances of his accidental shooting serve as a tragic reminder of the importance of safety on movie sets.

Conclusion

Brandon Lee's death is a poignant reminder of the risks human beings face when performing dangerous stunts and gun-related scenes in films. Harvey Keitel, who played Eric Draven, described the day, saying it was an awful thing to witness and a very sad day for everyone involved.

The story of Brandon Lee's accidental shooting highlights the importance of strict safety protocols and the tragic consequences of human error on movie sets.