40 Incredible Film Facts You’ve Never Heard Of

Behind the scenes a hell of a lot goes on we don't know about...

Film projects are hubs of not only bags of creativity and innovation but also inordinate amounts of stress and pressure so it should come as no surprise that they give birth to all these amazing stories and factoids which fascinate both cinephiles and casual fans alike. Lesser known facts and trivia about films €“ much like movies themselves €“ have the power to inspire a surprisingly broad range of emotional reactions. Some of the points included in this list are just fascinating in their own right while others will have you splitting your sides with laughter and others could creep you out. A recent post on Reddit discussing some of the coolest facts and trivia cinema has given us over the years had us desperate to do our own compilation of incredible facts which will hopefully be new to most of you. Cinema is such a sprawling entity that has existed for so many years that there is a gigantic amount of amazing film trivia out there which we would never be able to cover in a single list... We encourage you guys to add any amazing film facts you€™d like to share in the comments section below. Here are our 40 incredible film facts you€™ve never heard of:

40. Heath Ledger Nearly Broke Gyllenhaal's Nose With A Kiss (Brokeback Mountain)

Don't be fooled by how tender the couple look in the above image from Brokeback Mountain, Ennis and Jack live in rough times and are a suitably rough couple. Multiple reports indicate that Heath Ledger went in so hard to kiss Jake Gyllenhaal's character that he nearly broke his nose.

39. Pumba Was The First Disney Character To Fart (The Lion King)

Many of you probably already know that Hitchcock's 1960 movie Psycho was not only filmed in just 30 days but was also the first American film to ever show a flushing toilet. It's time we expanded your toilet-humour trivia with a new factoid. Pumba €“ true to his Swahili name meaning ignorant/lazy/careless €“ is the first ever Disney character to fart.

38. The Original Tin Man Was Nearly Killed By Make-up (The Wizard Of Oz)

The Tin Man may have wanted a heart but a new set of lungs would have been far more useful to the original actor, Buddy Ebsen, whose respiratory system was attacked by the aluminium powder contained in the makeup. Ebsen came to the brink of death but made a miraculous recovery. The makeup team used a safer paste alternative for Jack Haley who replaced Ebsen as the Tin Man.

37. Only 12 Years Separate Harrison Ford And Sean Connery (Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade)

Though they famously play father and son Henry and Indiana Jones in The Last Crusade, shockingly only 12 years separate Sean Connery (1930) and Harrison Ford (1942). Obviously Harrison takes his time moisturising. Sean Connery might have enjoyed unparalleled success as James Bond but in more recent years he is famed for turning down roles in The Matrix, Lord of the Rings, Jurassic Park, Blade Runner and Indiana Jones IV (though he dodged a bullet with the last one).
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Contributor

Hailing from South East London, Sam Heard is an aspiring writer and recent graduate from the University of Warwick. Sam's favourite things include energy drinks, late nights spent watching the UFC with his girlfriend and annihilating his friends at FIFA.