What 10 Great Movies Look Like Without Visual Effects

8. Life Of Pi

Life Of Pi
Fox

Ang Lee's epic survival drama went on to win four Oscars, one of which was for its staggeringly convincing visual effects.

Long considered "unfilmable" due to its technical complexity - requiring a young actor (Suraj Sharma) to be convincingly stranded at sea with a Bengal tiger - Lee ultimately decided to shoot all of the film's ocean scenes in a purpose-built wave tank.

Extensive behind-the-scenes footage reveals how this wave tank basically resembled a giant swimming pool, with Sharma acting within a prop boat and occasionally opposite a stuffed tiger intended to act as a stand-in for the digital one.

The absurd photo-realism of the tiger and the ease with which the audience believes that we're seeing a genuine oceanic environment is a major testament to VFX house Rhythm and Hues, who tragically filed for bankruptcy less than two weeks before winning their Oscar for the movie.

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.