James Cameron Performed CPR on Drowned Rat to Protect ‘The Abyss’ Animal Safety Record

by

James Cameron, the director famous for his demanding and sometimes frantic movie sets, has a little-known story from the filming of his 1989 science fiction hit, ‘The Abyss,’ that reveals a more gentle side to his personality.

While filming, Cameron rescued a rat that accidentally drowned. The rat was important for showcasing the film’s water technology, and its death could have caused problems with the movie’s commitment to animal welfare – specifically, its ‘No Animals Were Harmed’ certification.

When faced with a difficult situation, Cameron decided to give the rat CPR himself. Luckily, it worked, and the rat came back to life! Cameron ended up adopting the little rat and named him Beady. “Beady and I really connected because of everything we went through together,” Cameron explained.

I truly saved his life. We were very close, like brothers. He’d often sit on my desk while I was writing Terminator 2, and he lived a long life. Surprisingly, he didn’t seem bothered by the experience, even though the film is banned in the U.K. due to concerns about how animals were treated.

This story shows just how dedicated Cameron was to his movies, even during the incredibly difficult making of The Abyss. The film, featuring Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, and Michael Biehn, centers around an American team that works with oil rig workers to save a submarine that has sunk.

During a deep-sea dive, the characters come across strange and surprising events. The film, released by 20th Century Fox on August 9, 1989, was a box office success, earning $90 million, and it received an Academy Award for its impressive visual effects.

James Cameron was committed to realism in every aspect of the film, even the breathing fluid used for underwater scenes. This liquid actually exists and was safely tested on animals before filming. While Ed Harris didn’t actually breathe the fluid, he held his breath while submerged and a helmet filled with the liquid was towed around him. He found the experience difficult, describing how the fluid entered his nose and caused his eyes to swell.

You know, as a movie fan, I always appreciate hearing behind-the-scenes stories, and the tale of ‘Beady’ the rat really stuck with me. It’s a small thing, but it perfectly illustrates how much Cameron cares about every detail – not just the visuals, but also making sure all the animals on set are safe and treated well. And honestly, it’s a surprisingly sweet story coming from a director who’s usually known for these huge, epic, and really intense films. It shows a softer side that you don’t always see.

Read More

2025-12-17 21:18