James Cameron has directed some of the most successful movies of all time, including Avatar and its sequel, the first two Terminator films, Titanic, and Aliens. And one of his lesser-known films is now available to watch on Netflix.
The Abyss may well have some of the most interesting (read: near fatal) filming stories — several of which have been shared by the movie’s cast and crew over the years. The 1989 sci-fi masterpiece was filmed in colossal water tanks that had been constructed in an abandoned power plant in Gaffney, South Carolina, and saw the director experimenting with certain processes and technology for the first time — skills he later built on and implemented on a much larger scale in Titanic and Avatar.
During the film’s shoot, the cast and crew of The Abyss were required to be submerged in water while sporting their diving suits for extended periods of time, a feat that was not only challenging but incited pointed comments from the cast later on, especially Ed Harris, who famously described his experience as “a bitch.”
It also nearly killed James Cameron. A critic called the film “colossally ambitious” and said: “This logistically boggling and technically brilliant film from writer-director James Cameron is a visual tour de force, featuring overall, the greatest underwater sequences ever seen on film.”
Starring Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Michael Biehn, Leo Burmester, Todd Graff, and John Bedford — James Cameron’s underwater thriller was pronounced a box-office disappointment at the time, grossing only $90 million upon release against a budget of $42 million.
However, the film was on the receiving end of several accolades, winning an Academy Award for its visual effects and also securing nominations for art direction, sound, and cinematography. Talking about the challenges they faced during filming, James Cameron told Variety: “The Abyss was tough on everybody.
“I used to be underwater eight to 10 hours a day, six days a week for 10 straight weeks. If you’re a scuba diver, you know that a two-dive day is a heavy day as a diver.
“I used to fall asleep at night with my dinner plate on my chest and I’d wake up in the morning and it’s still there — I hadn’t moved all night. So it was physically taxing for me and for them [the cast].
“It was a tough shoot. There was no way for me to make it easier on everybody than what it was, other than to just not do it. And that’s not my style.
“I mean, I did try to make it as easy as possible. But you see the work.”
One critic wrote: “Anyone looking for a discouraging word about this stupendously exciting and emotionally engulfing film should read no further. The Abyss confirms James Cameron as a world-class filmmaker.”
Another reviewer who was blown away by the film said: “Blew my mind way back when it came out, and it blew it again in my recent revisit. James Cameron had already left his mark in water-related films, even before Titanic and Avatar,” while another said: “After all these years, James Cameron’s The Abyss remains the most intense movie I have ever seen.”
An audience review of the film declared: “James Cameron’s best film imo (in my opinion). A work of art that was very difficult to make, but it was worth it.
“The performances, set design, storyline and special effects are beyond amazing. This is top of the line film at the highest level of all time. Perfection!!”
Another viewer said: “Audience: Back in the 90’s, I had the pleasure of experiencing this mind-blowing sci-fi film, and even to this day, it continues to captivate me. Undoubtedly, it has secured its place as one of my all-time favorites in the genre. However, let me tell you, the uncut version takes the brilliance to a whole new level.
“James Cameron had to make some tough decisions for the theatrical release, resulting in some brutal cuts. Yet, the impact of this film remains undeniable. The special effects showcased in this cinematic wonder left me in awe. It’s astonishing how they have stood the test of time, retaining their power and allure even years later.”
The Abyss is available to stream on Netflix.