10 Iconic Movie Scenes You Didn't Realise Happened By Accident
3. 1917 - Clumsy Extras Added A Ton Of Tension
Sam Mendes' 1917 is an incredible war film that looks like it was more or less shot in one continuous take. The gist is that Lance Corporal Scofield, played by George MacKay, has undertaken a mission to deliver important information to prevent what is sure to be a disastrous British attack.
The climax of the film is Scofield running along a trench during a moment when British troops are going over the top onto the battlefield. He is almost at his destination to deliver his message to Colonel Mackenzie, and at this crucial moment not one, but two different extras accidentally ran into MacKay, causing him to twice fall. Normally, this would simply be a re-take, but with Mendes' direction style of going for a one-take approach and it being close to the end of an extended scene, no one really knew what to do.
Except MacKay.
He simply (literally) rolled with it, both times recovering his footing and sprinting to get back into the proper camera position while gunfire, explosions, and bodies flew around him. It's a remarkable piece of acting on the fly and a testament to all involved.
It was a happy accident that added tension both in front of and behind the camera.