Introduction
Movie extras may seem like an insignificant aspect of filmmaking, but they can make a huge difference in creating an immersive and believable world on screen. Extras are the unsung heroes who add depth, movement, and realism to a movie’s atmosphere. In some cases, the number of extras used in a film has even broken records and become a notable aspect of the movie. This article delves into the movies that used the most extras in history and examines how they achieved their ambitious counts.
Here Are the Top 5 Movies With the Most Extras Ever Used on Screen
Selection for this ranking considers the number of actual extras on set, excluding CGI or other computer-generated effects. The ranking is based on research conducted by industry experts and may vary depending on different sources. Here are the five movies that stand out in terms of the most extras:
1. Ben Hur (1959), 15,000 extras
Ben Hur is a classic historical epic that portrays the life of a Jewish prince during the time of Jesus Christ. The movie features several massive crowd scenes, including the famous chariot race sequence that involved over 1,500 horses and 15,000 extras. The director, William Wyler, reportedly used clever staging and camera angles to make the extras appear like a larger crowd without compromising their safety. Ben Hur went on to win 11 Oscars and became one of the most iconic films of all time.
2. Gandhi (1982), 300,000 extras
Gandhi tells the inspiring story of the Indian independence leader, Mahatma Gandhi, and his nonviolent resistance against British colonialism. The movie required an immense number of extras to portray the massive public demonstrations that Gandhi led, as well as the people affected by the partition of India. Director Richard Attenborough reportedly used over 300,000 extras, the largest amount ever used in a film, to shoot the famous final scene where Gandhi’s funeral procession walks down the street. The use of such a massive crowd of extras helped to capture the magnitude of Gandhi’s impact and legacy.
3. The Ten Commandments (1956), 14,000 extras
The Ten Commandments is a biblical epic that follows the life of Moses and the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. The film boasts impressive crowd scenes, especially during the crossing of the Red Sea, which involved thousands of extras pretending to be Israelites. Director Cecil B. DeMille also used clever tricks, such as forcing the extras to wear colorful costumes, to create an illusion of a larger and more diverse crowd. The Ten Commandments became one of the highest-grossing films of its time and remains a favorite among audiences today.
4. War and Peace (1966), 120,000 extras
War and Peace is a Soviet epic film based on the novel of the same name by Leo Tolstoy. The movie depicts the war between Napoleon Bonaparte’s army and the Russian Empire during the early 19th century. To recreate the massive battles and marches of the era, director Sergei Bondarchuk utilized an extraordinary number of extras, reportedly numbering up to 120,000. The film also used the complex “Totalvision” system, which involved three cameras filming simultaneously to capture the action from different angles. The result was a breathtaking and realistic portrayal of one of the most significant events in European history.
5. Braveheart (1995), 1,600 extras
Braveheart is a historical drama that tells the story of Scottish freedom fighter William Wallace. The movie contains several large-scale battle scenes that required an impressive number of extras, including the famous Battle of Stirling Bridge. Director Mel Gibson reportedly used the few extras he had by filming multiple shots from different angles, making the scene appear much larger than it actually was. The authenticity and grittiness of the battle scenes were central to the film’s success, and Braveheart went on to win five Oscars, including Best Picture.
How These Blockbuster Films Achieved Record Stunt Performances and Extra Counts
The movies listed above used different methods and techniques to feature large crowds and action scenes. Some of them relied on actual extras and stunt performers, while others utilized CGI and green screen technology. Creative staging and choreography also played a significant role in creating the illusion of an immersive world.
1. CGI and green screen technology
CGI and green screen technology have revolutionized the way filmmakers can create and manipulate large crowds and spectacular sequences. These techniques enable directors to add more extras, set pieces, and effects, all without requiring physical space or significantly impacting the budget. In movies like The Lord of the Rings trilogy or Gladiator, CGI supplements the actual extras to create more massive crowds, creatures, and battles.
2. Actual extras and stunt performers
Despite the advancements in technology, many movies still rely on actual extras and stunt performers to create realistic and authentic action scenes. The sheer number of extras in Gandhi or War and Peace required meticulous planning and organization to ensure their safety and choreographed movements. Stunt performers, on the other hand, are often called upon to perform dangerous or physically demanding stunts that extras cannot. The use of actual people in these roles can enhance the movie’s emotional impact by emphasizing the human cost of conflict or struggle.
3. Creative staging and choreography
Creative staging and choreography is essential in creating the illusion of a larger crowd without compromising people’s safety or comfort. Directors like William Wyler and Cecil B. DeMille incorporated clever techniques, such as split-screen shots, to make the extras appear more numerous and diverse. Choreographers for movies like Braveheart or Ben Hur had to train and guide the extras to ensure the smooth execution of complex actions like battle formations or horse racing.
From ‘Spartacus’ to ‘Avengers: Endgame’: A Look at the Movies That Used the Most Extras in History
The use of extras in movies goes back as far as the beginning of cinema, but it has evolved significantly over the years. Some movies have even made the record for the most extras used for a single shot or sequence. Here are some notable examples of movies that broke records or set new standards for extra counts:
– Spartacus (1960): The famous gladiator epic starring Kirk Douglas reportedly used over 10,000 extras in the climactic battle scene. The scene required an enormous budget and months of planning and choreography to make it happen.
– Cleopatra (1963): This Hollywood blockbuster broke several production records for its scale and budget, including the use of over 20,000 extras in the chariot race sequence. The movie’s lavish production is credited with nearly bankrupting the studio, but it remains a classic example of Hollywood excess and ambition.
– Titanic (1997): The climactic sinking sequence in this record-breaking blockbuster used over 150 extras to portray the panicking passengers and crew. Titanic also employed a massive set replicating the ship’s interior and exterior to enhance the realism of the disaster.
– Avengers: Endgame (2019): One of the most significant superhero movies of all time, Endgame used over 2,600 extras to film the funeral procession of one of its characters. The scene required extensive planning and coordination to avoid spoilers and maintain secrecy.
The Craziest Movie Crowds Ever: The Films With the Most Extras You’ve Never Heard Of
While blockbusters tend to get the most attention for their ambitious use of extras, several lesser-known movies also deserve recognition for their creative or unique use of crowds. Here are some examples:
– The Falls (1980): This experimental movie directed by Peter Greenaway features a cast of over 90,000 extras, the majority of whom are named after birds and listed in a detailed encyclopedia. The extras never appear in the same shot and often perform the same mundane action, subverting the usual expectations of crowd scenes in movies.
– Zulu (1964): This British war film portrays the Battle of Rorke’s Drift during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. The movie features over 400 Zulu warriors played by actual Zulu people, some of whom were descendants of the real-life warriors. The casting choice added a layer of cultural authenticity and respect to the movie.
– The Blue Max (1966): This World War I epic uses over 70 vintage airplanes, several dozen pilots, and over 15,000 additional extras to create its aerial battle scenes. The movie’s use of real planes and pilots rather than models or miniatures makes these sequences even more spectacular and immersive.
The Extras That Stole the Show: Exploring the Films That Achieved Immersive Cinematic Worlds Through Massive Crowds
Movie extras can be more than just flesh-and-blood props; they can also contribute to the movie’s overall artistic and emotional impact. Movies like Braveheart and Gandhi were successful in part because they used extras to create an immersive and convincing world, in which the extras were as important as the main characters in shaping the story. Here are some other movies that effectively used extras to enhance their narrative and visual impact:
– Schindler’s List (1993): Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece about the Holocaust uses over 20,000 extras in various scenes, including the infamous liquidation of the Krakow ghetto. The use of such a massive crowd underscores the brutal efficiency and inhumanity of the Nazi regime, while also emphasizing the extraordinary courage of Oskar Schindler.
– Pan’s Labyrinth (2006): Guillermo del Toro’s dark fantasy movie features several sequences involving fairies, monsters, and otherworldly creatures that required up to 50 extras in intricate costumes. The extras bring a tactile and sensory quality to the movie’s magical world, which contrasts vividly with the harshness and violence of the real world.
– The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-2003): These groundbreaking fantasy movies feature massive crowd scenes that utilize both CGI and actual extras in elaborate costumes and makeup. The extras were instrumental in creating the epic scale and scope of Middle Earth, and their presence lends the movies a sense of danger, richness, and diversity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, extras may be the unsung heroes of cinema, but their contribution to the success of movies cannot be underestimated. The use of massive crowds and ambitious sequences can enhance a movie’s emotional impact, realism, and artistic merit. Whether by using actual people, CGI, or creative staging, filmmakers can create immersive cinematic worlds that transport audiences to new places and times. This article has explored some of the most significant movies that used extras in their production and the techniques and methods they employed to achieve their impressive extra counts.
Readers are encouraged to watch these movies and appreciate the role of extras in their creation. By doing so, they can gain a deeper understanding of why movies are essential to our lives and how filmmakers can use them to explore and illustrate the human experience.