Burt Reynolds: The Disaster Movie That Somehow Worked
No film production is ever entirely smooth sailing, but even seasoned veterans like Burt Reynolds encountered projects that spiraled into near-total chaos. Reynolds, known for his charisma and box office draw, had a career punctuated by on-set incidents – near-fatal accidents during Deliverance, lawsuits over physical altercations with directors, a coma followed by painkiller addiction stemming from an on-set injury, and even a reported attempt to…well, let’s just say a co-star was nearly on the receiving end of a poorly aimed knee. Yet, despite this history, the story of 1980’s Rough Cut remains remarkably astonishing: how did a film seemingly cursed from the start actually turn out to be a decent, and relatively successful, picture?
A Project Doomed From the Start
It’s rarely a good sign when a director openly admits a lack of enthusiasm. Don Siegel, the director of Rough Cut, evidently wasn’t one to mince words. Reynolds was the first actor attached to the project, playing a jewel thief attempting to outsmart a police officer. Riding high on his status as Hollywood’s biggest star, Reynolds wielded considerable influence over the director and script choices.
Initially, Blake Edwards was slated to direct, but after rejecting a screenplay penned by Larry Gelbart (Reynolds’ preferred writer), Gelbart was promptly fired. Edwards soon followed suit. Reynolds then leveraged his clout to reinstate Gelbart, with Siegel stepping in as director. However, Siegel’s commitment was…questionable. “If I’d known Escape from Alcatraz was going to be such a success, I don’t think I’d have done this picture,” he confessed during filming. “But because I love England, I thought I’d have a go, but it’s been a disaster since day one.”
Clashes, Rewrites, and a Lawsuit
Siegel’s negativity didn’t improve matters. He dismissed the script as “not nearly as good as it should be” and openly questioned Reynolds’ decision to take on the role. “Frankly, I don’t understand why Burt took this picture,” he reportedly said, hardly fostering a harmonious atmosphere. He further described the production as “the worst-prepared movie I’ve been involved with.”
The friction between Siegel and producer David Merrick was so intense that Siegel was briefly fired and replaced by Peter Hunt (known for On Her Majesty’s Secret Service). Reynolds, however, intervened, persuading Merrick to reinstate Siegel. The chaos didn’t end there. Siegel shot three different endings, none of which were ultimately used. Merrick, without informing Siegel, secretly commissioned Robert Ellis Miller to create a fourth ending to his liking.
As if the situation wasn’t already a mess, co-star David Niven filed a $1.8 million lawsuit against the production, alleging insufficient promotion of his involvement. It was a complete and utter debacle.
A Surprisingly Successful Outcome
Despite the relentless turmoil, Rough Cut managed to emerge as a surprisingly watchable and commercially viable film. It’s a testament to the talent involved – and perhaps a healthy dose of luck – that a project so thoroughly plagued by disaster could ultimately succeed. The story of Rough Cut serves as a fascinating, and cautionary, tale of Hollywood filmmaking, and a reminder that even the most chaotic productions can sometimes yield unexpected results. It also highlights the enduring appeal and star power of Burt Reynolds, who navigated the storm and delivered a performance that resonated with audiences.
