MovieChat Forums > Saboteur (1942) Discussion > Statue Of Libetry sequence

Statue Of Libetry sequence

posted 15 years ago by tommyuk
9 replies | jump to latest

It looks real at the end did they really film it on the actual Statue Of Liberty torch or was it just a much lower to the ground replica.

[–] Udvarnoky 15 years ago

They simply built a replica of the head and torch of the statue of liberty against a painting of the sky. There is however some decent matte work in one of the shots where you can see real photographed elements (moving water surrounding Liberty Island) blended in with background paintings to make the illusion work. Even Fry's fall to his death, while cheesy by today's standards, is pretty spectacular for the time.

[–] tommyuk 15 years ago

Yes the Facsimile fooled me I thought it was the real thing very good special effects even by todays standards

[–] maxmillion99 14 years ago

It used to be a feature at Universal studios-- they'd call someone out from the audience and have them sit in the chair then flail about on cue as the camera whizzed up towards the ceiling.

I dunno if they still stage that attraction -- a behind-the-scenes sound and camera effects type one.

[–] Thrift_Store_Junkie05 14 years ago

The legendary 'Statue of Liberty" sequence has held up extremely well; in fact, the visual effects are more realistc looking than most of the horrendous CGI that unfortunately overfloods film today. Also, eliminating the use of music greatly enhanced the scenes suspense; I get sweaty palms everytime I see it.

"I hope I never get so old I get religious." Ingmar Bergman

[–] CaptainHowdy1987 14 years ago

I was on the edge of my seat during the whole scene. It was brilliant! I remember thinking to myself "Did they really film that on the Statue of Liberty?"

I think CGI ruins most film. It looks fake most of the time and can always seem to tell when it's used.

"I wished Her back but the dead adored Her, Even wild winds sang in chora for Her"

[–] jdown-1 12 years ago

Agreed on the Statue of Liberty sequence - the decision to NOT use any music there was a stroke of genius.

[–] jac91604 12 years ago

Just watched it and I think it still holds up quite well.

Remember this was done only 15 yrs after sound started.

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] superspygoestowar 7 years ago

There are many elaborate, photo-realistic paintings of the statue of Liberty in this sequence, that had me totally fooled until I saw them revealed on a matte painting specialist website.

I don't think an actual full-scale mock-up of the actual statue head was constructed for this picture, other than the interior shots which look studio-bound.

Even the extreme close-up of the statue head with the tourists' small heads seen inside the crown vents is in all liklihood a very clever composite using a convincing painting of the statue head.

The extremely eerie shot looking up at the statue ;this shot is eerily rock-solid, which enhances its effectivemess] where you can just make out the tiny actors up on the torch arm, is another clever painting/live-action composite.

Even the New York skyscrapers seen in the distance in one shot appear to be a diffused painting.

However a full-scale section of the upper statue hand and Liberty Torch most definitely has been constructed and can even be seen in two long-shots, with a seperate sky element burned in behind it.

Hope none of this has spoiled anyones' enjoyment of the film: this sequence especially is a tour-de-force of high drama!