Roar: The Most Dangerous Movie Ever Made?

This episode of Stuff You Should Know dives into the infamous 1981 film 'Roar,' often dubbed the 'most dangerous movie ever made.' Hosts Josh and Chuck explore the bizarre, real-life story behind the film, which was directed by Noel Marshall, a former producer of The Exorcist, and starred his wife, Tippi Hedren, best known for her role in Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds. The film was conceived after the couple's trip to Africa, where they witnessed lions living in a house and became passionate about animal welfare. They built a private compound in Acton, California, where they raised dozens of big cats—including lions, tigers, leopards, and even an elephant—intending to film a family adventure movie where humans and wild animals coexisted peacefully. However, the production became a nightmare: no script, no professional crew, no animal training, and a dangerous set where 70 cast and crew members were injured, including Tippi Hedren and her daughter Melanie Griffith, who both suffered severe wounds. The film took five years to complete, cost $17 million, and was never released in the U.S. due to its poor quality. Despite its infamy, the project led to the creation of the Cats of Shambhala preserve and the Roar Foundation, which continue to advocate for animal welfare. The episode also touches on the film’s cult status, its re-release by Alamo Drafthouse in 2015, and the irony of its 'no animals were harmed' tagline, given the human injuries. The hosts balance dark humor with respect for the real-life trauma involved, ultimately framing 'Roar' as a cautionary tale of ambition, ego, and the cost of obsession.