Malcolm McDowell in A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Stanley Kubrick’s films often spark significant debate, and A Clockwork Orange is no exception. The film not only challenges viewers but also deeply affects the actors involved.
In the film, there is a scene where the main actor, Malcolm McDowell, is subjected to an experimental treatment that involves having his eyes forcibly opened. Following this intense scene, McDowell reportedly suffered a considerable amount of stress and experienced psychological trauma.
Tippi Hedren in The Birds (1963)
During the filming of the horror classic The Birds, director Alfred Hitchcock created a chilling atmosphere for the leading actress, Tippi Hedren. For instance, while filming a scene where she is attacked by a flock of birds, Hitchcock used real birds instead of mechanical ones.
This led Tippi Hedren to perform without any hesitation. However, the actual birds did attack her, causing her to suffer multiple injuries, including scratches and bleeding in several places on her body. The trauma from this experience left a lasting impact on her mental health.
Linda Blair in The Exorcist (1973)
Regarded as one of the most iconic child actors in horror films, Linda Blair faced significant psychological challenges after the release of The Exorcist. Rather than achieving fame, she found herself haunted by the terrifying themes of the movie.
Blair recalled that she began filming at the age of 13 and often felt lost and confused about the scenes she was performing. After the film’s release in 1973, the media portrayed her as a real-life embodiment of evil, which deeply affected her sense of self-worth and led to a series of psychological struggles.
The Cast of The Blair Witch Project (1999)
The filming of The Blair Witch Project (1999) created a sense of dread that lingered long after the movie was over. However, the process also left a significant psychological impact on the cast members, particularly the lead actors.
To immerse the actors in their roles, the director kept them isolated in the woods without any communication with the outside world during filming, which contributed to a heightened sense of fear and reality during their performances.
Janet Leigh in Psycho (1960)
Another masterpiece by the legendary director Alfred Hitchcock, Psycho features Janet Leigh as Marion Crane. After filming the infamous shower scene, Leigh was left traumatized and could not bear to take a shower alone for years.
This scene left her feeling haunted, and nearly after filming, Janet Leigh never dared to shower alone again.
