But what is the story behind this gruesome scene? How did they film it? And did they use a real dog or not? In this article, we will explore these questions and more, as we delve into the making of Fear and its infamous dog scene.
The Making of Fear
Fear was directed by James Foley and written by Christopher Crowe. It was produced by Brian Grazer, who described it as "Fatal Attraction for teens". The film revolves around a wealthy family whose seemingly perfect life is threatened when their teenage daughter begins dating an attractive and mysterious young man, who turns out to be a violent and obsessive psychopath. The film was inspired by Crowe's own experience of dating a girl whose father disapproved of him, as well as by the 1986 film The Hitcher, which featured a similar plot of a young couple being terrorized by a hitchhiker.
The film was shot in Vancouver, Canada, and Seattle, Washington, in late 1995. The cast included Mark Wahlberg, who had just made his film debut in The Basketball Diaries, Reese Witherspoon, who had already starred in several films such as Man in the Moon and Freeway, William Petersen, who played Nicole's father Steven, Alyssa Milano, who played Nicole's best friend Margo, and Amy Brenneman, who played Steven's new wife Laura. The film also featured several actors who would later become famous, such as Gary Riley, Todd Caldecott, Tracy Fraim, and Jason Kristofer.
The film was released on April 12, 1996, by Universal Pictures. It received mostly negative reviews from critics, who criticized its clichÃd plot, unrealistic characters, and excessive violence. However, it became a sleeper hit at the box office, grossing $20.8 million in the U.S. against a budget of $6.5 million. It also gained a cult following among fans of the genre, especially teenagers who were drawn to the chemistry and charisma of Wahlberg and Witherspoon. The film was nominated for several awards, including the MTV Movie Award for Best Villain for Wahlberg.
The Dog Scene
The dog scene occurs near the end of the film, when David and his gang break into Steven's house to take Nicole back by force. They kill Steven's security guard Larry (Todd Caldecott) and cut off the power to the house. They also kill Nicole's beloved German Shepherd Kaiser (played by a dog named Rolf), who tries to protect her from them. They then decapitate Kaiser and throw his head through the doggy door into the living room, where Nicole and her family are hiding. The scene is meant to show how far David is willing to go to get Nicole back, as well as to shock and terrify the audience.
The scene was filmed using a combination of practical effects and computer-generated imagery (CGI). The filmmakers used a fake dog head that was sculpted by special effects artist Mike Fields. The head was made of latex and foam rubber, and had realistic fur and blood. It was attached to a pole that was used to throw it through the doggy door. The filmmakers also used CGI to enhance the realism of the head and to make it look like it was severed from a real dog.
The scene caused a lot of controversy among animal lovers and activists, who accused the filmmakers of using a real dog or harming one in the process of filming. Some people even claimed that they saw a real dog head in the movie or that they heard that the filmmakers bought an already dead dog from a shelter or a butcher shop. However, these claims were false and unfounded. The filmmakers denied any animal cruelty or abuse, and stated that they used only a prop and CGI for the scene. They also said that they loved animals and that they treated Rolf, the dog who played Kaiser, with care and respect.
Conclusion
The dog scene from Fear is one of the most memorable and horrifying scenes in the history of cinema. It is also one of the reasons why Fear is considered a cult classic and a sleeper hit, as well as a launching pad for the careers of Mark Wahlberg and Reese Witherspoon. The scene was filmed using a fake dog head and CGI, and no animals were harmed or killed in the making of the film. The scene was meant to show the extent of David's obsession and violence, as well as to shock and scare the audience.
What do you think of the dog scene from Fear? Do you find it scary or disturbing? Do you think it was necessary or effective for the film? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
a104e7fe7e