Awesome '80s movie details fans uncovered
The 1980s was a decade that offered up some of the best movies ever made. In addition to films like Ghostbusters and Raiders of the Lost Ark, studios released iconic romantic comedies, action, adventure, drama, romance, war movies, and much more. Throughout the decade, studios continuously released incredible entertainment, and those movies were jam-packed with tons of small but clever details.
Plenty of movie watchers have watched and rewatched the best the '80s had to offer and found details most moviegoers missed on a first viewing. The more eagle-eyed of these fans have taken to the MovieDetails subreddit to share their findings.
This list features some of the most interesting of those small details about movies released in the 1980s. If you see something you didn't already know, be sure to give it an upvote to see which one rises to the top!
The Color Of The Statue Of Liberty In 'An American Tail' Is Accurate
Redditor u/Tokyono explained that the color of the Statue of Liberty in An American Tail might not have looked familiar, but it was correct:
In An American Tail (1986), the color of the statue of liberty is historically accurate. As the film is set in 1885, the year the statue was completed, it still has its bright copper coloring. It was only after 1900 that the statue turned green due to oxidization.
The Camera's Position In 'Die Hard' Has Special Meaning
Camera angles are incredibly important in cinematography, and as Redditor u/Trahbag noted, a particular shot in Die Hard held special meaning:
In Die Hard (1988) when John is talking to Hans in disguise as “Bill Clay,” this is the only scene that takes place at a Dutch angle in the whole movie. Dutch angles convey suspicion and unease but actually comes from “Deutsch” angle which means German.
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The Doctors In 'E.T.' Were Real Doctors, Not Actors
Redditor u/Tokyono noted that the doctors in E.T. were legit:
In E.T. (1982) the doctors trying to save E.T. were played by real-life doctors from the USC medical center in Los Angeles. Stephen Spielberg felt that actors wouldn’t be able to make the medical dialogue sound natural, so recruited real doctors to deliver the dialogue.
R. Lee Ermey Was A Natural In 'Full Metal Jacket'
Redditor u/ShaneMP01 explained how R. Lee Ermey managed to go from technical director to international film star, thanks to his ability to insult:
R. Lee Ermey, who plays Sergeant Hartman in Full Metal Jacket (1987), came up with 150 pages worth of insults for his role. Originally a technical advisor for the film, he took over after the original actor tired himself out after yelling for 30 minutes.
Schwarzenegger Had To Do His Own Stunts In 'Conan'
According to Redditor u/Ttran778, Arnold Schwarzenegger had to do his own stunts for a relatively obvious reason:
Arnold did his own stunts in Conan the Barbarian (1982) because no one could be found that was big enough to resemble him.
Few Knew The Truth Of Vader's Words To Luke
The release of The Empire Strikes Back in 1980 revealed one of the biggest twists in the history of film. Redditor u/pieisgiood876 revealed the truth behind... the truth:
In order to prevent the twist of Vader being Luke's father being spoiled in The Empire Strikes Back (1980), the line written in the script and spoken during filming was "Obi-Wan killed your father," with it later dubbed over. Of the main cast, only Mark Hamill was informed before release.
Most People Didn't Pick Up On The Sound Effect Joke In 'Airplane!'
Redditor u/jerimiahf noted that the longest-running gag in Airplane! had to do with sound effects:
The longest-running gag in the comedy spoof Airplane! (1980) was that it was set a jet engine plane and they used a propeller engine sound for every scene it was in.
George's Choice Of Beverage Changed, Thanks To Marty In 'Back To The Future'
Redditor u/EffortlessCool noted that George's preferences changed, thanks to his son's intervention 30 years in the past:
In Back to the Future (1985) before Marty travels back and changes the past, helping his father gain self-confidence, George drinks Miller Lite. When Marty returns to 1985 the more confident, richer George now drinks Miller High Life the "Champagne of Beers."
A Stunt In 'The Road Warrior' Was Incredibly Dangerous
The stunts in Mad Max movies are always dangerous, but according to Redditor u/stealthynotion, one was so difficult, it could have resulted in a serious injury:
In Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981), the stunt involving a tanker rolling over was so dangerous that the stunt driver was not allowed to eat food for 12 hours before shooting. This was in case something went wrong and he needed to be rushed into surgery.
'Top Gun' Misused The Term "Bogey" Throughout The Film
Redditor u/Volt__3000 noted something interesting about the dialogue options in Top Gun, which was heavily assisted by the United States Navy during production:
In Top Gun (1988), the term “bogey” is misused throughout the movie. A bogey is an unidentified aircraft. Once identified it is referred to as “friendly,” “bandit” (for non-friendly aircraft), or as “hostile” (for non-friendly aircraft that may be fired at ie. engaged).
Mickey Mouse Appeared In 'Tron'
It's not easy to see, but Redditor u/Cuclean noticed a familiar character while watching Tron:
First time watching Tron (1982) in a long time and I just noticed Mickey Mouse on the ground below the ship as it crosses the light beam path.
The Chinese Restaurant In 'A Christmas Story' Was A Bowling Alley
Redditor u/drewbdoo noticed something interesting about the Chinese restaurant in A Christmas Story:
The Chinese restaurant at the end of A Christmas Story (1983) used to be a bowling alley. They just turned off the "W" and call themselves "Bo Ling Chop Suey Palace co."
Eddie Was Actually Animated In Some Scenes During 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit'
Despite the fact that he was a live-action character, Redditor u/Tokyono pointed out the fact that Eddie was animated in some scenes:
In Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), Eddie is animated in some action scenes.
David Bowie Played Two Roles In 'Labyrinth'
Redditor u/PhatWalda noticed something few could have while watching Labyrinth that supports the theory that Sarah saw someone familiar in the Goblin King:
In Labyrinth (1986), David Bowie plays two roles: the Goblin King, Jareth; and Jeremy, the fellow actor that Sarah's mother left her father for.
Mola Ram's Helmet Is Sacrilegious In 'Temple Of Doom'
Redditor u/xXmosseater69Xx noted a costuming decision that means far more than what most viewers might realize:
In Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom (1984), Mola Ram’s helmet appears to be made from some modified parts of a cow skull. In India, Hinduism is a very common religion, and cows are sacred in Hinduism, so his helmet isn’t only intimidating- it’s sacrilegious too.
The Butterfly In 'The Little Mermaid' Was Full Of Symbolism
Redditor u/amanyggvv noted that the butterfly and the name the Sea Witch chose in The Little Mermaid was all about the symbolism:
In The Little Mermaid (1989) Ursula uses a butterfly (a symbol of transformation and mimicry) in the potion to transform herself into 'Vanessa' - which is a genus of butterfly.
News Anchors Stop Wearing Makeup After The Joker Poisons Hygiene Products In 'Batman'
The Joker's use of various consumer products (like makeup) made it hard for the news anchors to look their best, as Redditor u/comrade_batman pointed out:
In Batman (1989) the news anchors stop wearing makeup after the Joker poisons beauty hygiene products in Gotham.
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