In this particular flashback scene Brandon walks into the loft to discover Shelly being attacked. The gun being used in the scene was loaded wiht blanks. The scene required the gun to be loaded and cocked; then pointed at the camera. Because of the close range of the shot, the bullets loaded into the gun had real brass caps, but no powder. After cut was called, the prop master(not the arms master who had left for the day)dry fired the gun to get the cock off. This caused an empty cartridge to be knocked inthe barrel.
The next scene to be shot involving the gun was the rape of Shelly. The gun was loaded with blanks(which usually contain double or triple the powder of a normal bullet to make a loud noise.) The cartridge that was stuck in the barrel was blasted at Brandon through the bag he was carrying and into his chest. The shot perforated Brandons stomach, tearing several vital organs and causing internal hemorraging and lodged next to his vertabrae(had he lived there was a good chance he may have been paralyzed.) Brandon was rushed to the hospital where he died 13 hours later. After unsuccessful attempts to stop the bleeding.
An investigation later into his death discovered that the gun had earlier been loaded with "dummy" bullets for up shots( a dummy is a shell and a slug but no gun powder.) In this particular case real bullets were used, bought from a local gun shop. The slugs were removed and then the gun powder was removed, and the bullets put back together.
The dummy bullet was to be used for head on, close up shots. So the slug could be seen in the chamber of the gun. According to the investigation, during the scene where the gun was loaded with dummy rounds one of the slugs came loose and stayed in the chamber after the gun was unloaded. It was later discovered that there had been a huge lapse in saftey other then live ammo being used to create the dummy bullet. Earlier that evening the weapons expert had been sent home to save money, and a couple of prop assistants were left in charge. This oversight lead to Brandon Lees death.
The irony was that this was to be the last scene in which guns would be involved, and the final eight days of shooting were to be fill in scenes and flashbacks. It is also sad that in just twelve days time Brandon was due to be married. Brandon Lee is buried with his father, Bruce Lee, at the Lakeview Cemetary, in Seattle Washington, near the Seattle Asian Museum.
Brandon was only 28 years old when he died. It is my belive that had he not been killed while filming The Crow, that this film would have brought him out of his fathers shadow. Showing everyone he could do more than action karate type films. Brnadon poured his heart and soul into The Crow and it is my honor to honr his memory here.
Raven
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