Thirty years after its premier, The Crow is best known for its tragic production. But there is so much more to the story.
Closely following the story of James O’Barr’s comics, The Crow follows Eric Draven, a man brought back from the dead a year after he and his fiances murder, his only goal being to seek revenge against those who killed them.
During production, lead actor Brandon Lee was accidentally shot and killed. This event came to define the film as most people know about it because of the accident.
“They’re all dead. They just don’t know it yet”
Image credit: Cbr.com
The film opens with a narration introducing the audience to the world and to the death of Eric and Shelley. Both are beaten and murdered by a vicious gang.
Taking place in a fictionalised portrayal of Detroit, more Gotham than Mo-town, the city itself is a character. Its grimy streets are bathed in the fires of devils night, only to be snuffed out by the sorrowful moonlight and dreary rain of Halloween night.
Eric blends in seamlessly to the environment of Detroit and its residents. His goth get up pairs well with the mix of punks and goths the film is full of.
The world of the film was a sad reflection of the troubled set of The Crow. With just a six week shoot, the crew had to rush to get what they wanted done.
Many parts of the comic were changed or scrapped entirely. Eric’s dreams and a sub plot about Top Dollars sister/girlfriend, just to name a few.
However, the set never took a toll on the crews feelings towards the project. Brandon Lee spoke highly of his role and the film, stating that, “This is the best role, I’ve had the opportunity to get my hands on in a film.”
Brandon Lee was the heart of The Crow, both metaphorically and physically. In every behind the scenes interview, everyone speaks highly of Brandon and Brandon himself seemed immensely grateful for The Crow.
After Eric comes back from the dead and returns to his apartment, he begins to craft his new persona. A painted face with a shallow smile, The Crow.
The entire scene is scored to “Burn” by The Cure, a song written for the film. The lyrics weave a narrative alongside the scene, adding more layers to the Brandon’s performance.
The entire soundtrack features some of the biggest names in the goth sub genre. Bands like The Cure, Violent Femmes and Rage Against the Machine, just to name a few.
Music has always been a core element to The Crow’s DNA. When O’Barr was writing the comics, he frequently used lyrics and entire full page spreads dedicated to the works of The Cure and Joy Division.
“I say I’m dead, and I move”
Image Credit: Screenrant.com
The Crow is often mislabeled as a superhero film. It certainly has elements that could be considered a superhero film, but it fits far better as a horror or a thriller.
When The Crow was first released, the superhero genre of films was only starting to get recognised with the main film of the time being Tim Burton’s Batman.
Many of the crew were excited about the prospect of breaking into comic book films and The Crow is one of the only films within the sub-genre that could be considered cinema.
Sticking to the rough structure of the comics, Eric tracks down one member of the gang at a time, kills them in a brutally thematic fashion, then he moves on to the next, often interrupted along his way.
Eric’s powers are never explained. He is invulnerable unless the crow that accompanies him is injured, but he also has supernatural powers.
His powers aren’t important, just as his mortality isn’t. It’s a mystery that lends itself well to the tragic elements of Eric and Shelley’s demise.
Eric’s sanity is also a very important part to his development, slipping into psychopathic rage whenever he finds a member of the gang, but receding back into his mortal self when he talks to Officer Albrecht or Sahrah.
Brandon’s performance is incredibly nuanced and subtle compared to some of the cheesy scenes of the later half of the film.
Its almost impossible to talk about The Crow without discussing the tragic death of Brandon Lee.
In the later parts of shooting, a dummy round went off alongside a blank in a close up shooting scene. This prop malfunction lead to Brandon’s untimely death at the age of 28.
In an interview Brandon discussed how The Crow was the first time he set out of the shadow of his father, Bruce Lee. And finally be regarded as his own character.
His performance stands above many others, reaching heights very few will ever be able to achieve.
It’s clear in interviews he was dedicated to his role, he wanted the film to succeed, not for himself but for O’Barr and the rest of the crew of the film.
After his death, the film was going to be shelved as everyone grieved. The only reason it exists is because of Brandon Lee’s fiance.
Eliza Hutton, fought to get the film finished for Brandon in memory of him.
The re-shoots included extended scenes of Officer Albrecht and Sarah, their characters help to add more dimension to Eric’s journey.
After Eric is finally able to rest after his revenge. He finds peace in his final moments, forgiving himself and allowing Shelley to guide him off.
It’s a wonderful ending to a tremendously upsetting story. A story that should have been left alone but, the nature of Hollywood proves that was always going to be impossible.
“It can’t rain all the time”
Image credit: Sideshow.com
The Crow goes above and beyond its source material, delivering a similar story but expanding on certain elements. Making it more accessable.
It’s a story born from grief and sadly, grief is what it’s best known for. It’s also a story of love in it’s purest form. The love of a couple and the love of a Mother being two of the most important parts of the film.
The punchy soundtrack and stylish use of John Wu esque gun fights were able to propel it to higher heights than the comics were ever able to achieve.
The Crow is unforgettable and proves that comic book films can tell unique stories and break away from convention.
The Crow is one of my favourite films, I love the source material as much as the film. It’s a timeless story that anyone could get lost in. It’s more than a story, it’s art.
Featured image credit: Geektyrant.com
Fourth year Film and Journalism student
Deputy editor
Contact - deputyeditor@brignews.com
