### The Untamed Wild: Tippi Hedren, Noel Marshall, and the Dangerous Production of *Roar*
Tippi Hedren, already a figure of controversy due to her tumultuous relationship with Alfred Hitchcock, ventured into another perilous project with her then-husband, Noel Marshall. The film *Roar* is infamous not only for its storyline but for the real-life dangers faced by its cast and crew. The movie, intended to be an adventurous family project, turned into a near-disastrous ordeal, proving that the boundary between fiction and reality can sometimes be perilously thin.
#### 1. **A Family Affair**
*Roar* was a labor of love for Tippi Hedren and her husband Noel Marshall. Alongside their children, including a young Melanie Griffith, they aimed to raise awareness about big cats and the need for their conservation. However, this noble cause soon spiraled into chaos as the family faced unimaginable dangers during production.
#### 2. **Untrained Animals on Set**
The film featured real, untrained lions, tigers, leopards, and other big cats. These animals were not only unpredictable but also posed a constant threat to everyone involved. The set became a real-life jungle where the line between actor and prey was alarmingly blurred.
#### 3. **Seventy Injuries**
Throughout the production of *Roar*, a staggering seventy people were injured by the animals. These injuries ranged from minor scratches to severe maulings. The cast and crew lived in constant fear of the next attack, with every scene potentially turning deadly.
#### 4. **Melanie Griffith's Mauling**
Perhaps the most harrowing incident involved Melanie Griffith, who was mauled by a lion. The attack was so severe that it necessitated facial reconstructive surgery. Despite the trauma, Griffith returned to complete the film, a testament to her resilience and dedication.
#### 5. **Noel Marshall's Injuries**
Noel Marshall himself was not spared. During a fight scene involving male lions, he was bitten through the hand. His injury was severe enough that he had to bandage his hand, which can be seen in various scenes throughout the film. Marshall’s dedication to the project was unwavering, even in the face of personal harm.
#### 6. **Devastating Flood**
As if the dangers from the animals were not enough, a dam burst during production, causing a catastrophic flood that destroyed much of the set and equipment. This disaster dramatically increased the film's budget and added to the already mounting stress and danger of the production.
#### 7. **Neil the Lion**
One of the most infamous stories from the set involves Neil, a 400-pound mature lion who roamed freely around the house. Astonishingly, Neil would occasionally sleep in the same bed as Melanie Griffith. Photos from the time show Neil lounging around the house, including in the kitchen, living room, and even by the swimming pool, highlighting the extraordinary—and extraordinarily dangerous—environment the family lived in.
#### 8. **Tippi Hedren’s Regret**
Reflecting on the experience, Tippi Hedren has acknowledged the sheer recklessness of their actions. In retrospect, she described allowing untrained, wild animals to roam free around her family as "stupid beyond belief." Hedren has since been vocal about the inherent dangers of interacting with wild animals, no matter the intention behind it.
#### 9. **A Budget Spiraling Out of Control**
Originally envisioned as a straightforward project, *Roar*’s budget ballooned due to the numerous setbacks, including the flood and constant need for medical care due to injuries. What started as a passion project turned into a financial black hole, straining the resources of everyone involved.
#### 10. **A Cautionary Tale**
*Roar* stands as a cautionary tale in the annals of Hollywood. The film’s tagline, "No animals were harmed in the making of this film. 70 cast and crew members were," succinctly captures the chaos and danger of the production. While the film ultimately raised awareness about big cats, it did so at a tremendous cost, both financially and personally for those involved.
### Conclusion
The making of *Roar* is a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of wild animals and the lengths to which people will go for a cause they believe in. Tippi Hedren and Noel Marshall’s endeavor, though well-intentioned, resulted in one of the most perilous productions in film history. Their story serves as both a lesson and a legacy, highlighting the thin line between passion and peril.
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