Released in 1982, Poltergeist became an instant classic in the horror genre, with its chilling portrayal of a suburban family tormented by supernatural forces. Directed by Tobe Hooper and produced by Steven Spielberg, the film earned critical acclaim for its groundbreaking special effects, tense atmosphere, and unforgettable scenes. However, behind the eerie special effects and spine-tingling moments lies a strange and unsettling piece of movie trivia that still haunts fans to this day: Poltergeist used real human skeletons in some of its most iconic scenes.
In this article, we’ll dive into the history behind this chilling revelation, the impact it had on the production, and answer some frequently asked questions about this infamous moment in film history.
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The Real Skeletons in Poltergeist
One of the most famous and unsettling scenes in Poltergeist occurs when the family’s home is overtaken by an increasingly violent series of supernatural events. During one of the most horrifying moments in the film, a character named Diane Freeling, played by JoBeth Williams, is dragged into a pool that is mysteriously filled with water, mud, and skeletal remains. The skeletons appear to be floating eerily in the muck, an image that left a lasting impact on audiences and cemented the scene as one of the most disturbing in horror film history.
However, what many people don’t know is that the skeletons used in this sequence were not props or fake creations — they were real human skeletons.
The Skeletons Were Real
According to reports, the filmmakers chose to use real skeletons in Poltergeist due to cost-cutting reasons. At the time, it was more expensive to produce high-quality fake skeletons than to purchase real ones. Since human skeletons were widely available on the market (for medical purposes and educational use), the film’s production team made the controversial decision to use real bones for some of the scenes.
In particular, the scene in which JoBeth Williams’ character is dragged into the pool filled with mud and skeletons was filmed using actual human skeletons. Williams herself was reportedly unaware of this fact during filming, and the revelation only came to light later.
While many of the skeletons used in the film were purchased from medical supply companies, it’s believed that the bones were not intentionally used in such a gruesome context. Instead, they were sourced for educational purposes and could have been acquired from a legitimate supplier. Nonetheless, the decision to use real human remains in a commercial film raised eyebrows and sparked moral and ethical debates about the exploitation of human bones for entertainment purposes.
The Impact on the Film’s Production
The revelation that Poltergeist used real skeletons stirred controversy and added an extra layer of intrigue to the film’s production. Some cast members, including JoBeth Williams, were initially unaware that they were working with actual human remains, and they were understandably disturbed when they learned the truth.
For Williams, who had to interact physically with the floating skeletons during filming, the realization was unsettling. In interviews after the film’s release, she mentioned that she had felt an eerie and uncomfortable connection with the skeletons, though she was focused on her performance and the story during the shooting. Upon discovering that they were real, the cast and crew were taken aback by the decision, but it was too late to change course.
Despite this dark behind-the-scenes story, Poltergeist went on to become a major box office success and a beloved horror classic. It’s important to note that the controversy surrounding the real skeletons did not diminish the film’s reputation in the eyes of most fans, but it added a layer of morbid curiosity to the movie’s legacy.
Why Were Real Skeletons Used?
In the early 1980s, there was little regulation on the use of human remains in film, and the process of creating convincing fake skeletons was more expensive than purchasing real bones. Special effects technology had not yet advanced to the point where filmmakers could easily replicate realistic human skeletons without significant cost.
The decision to use real skeletons in Poltergeist was primarily motivated by budget constraints. At the time, it was more cost-effective to buy real skeletons from suppliers who provided them for educational or scientific use. In the context of a movie like Poltergeist, where realism and shock value were key elements, using actual human remains may have seemed like a quick and convenient option for achieving the desired effect.
Moreover, the filmmakers did not anticipate the public backlash that would follow once the truth about the skeletons came to light. Back then, there were fewer safeguards in place to prevent such controversial decisions, and the film industry was more focused on achieving striking visuals than on addressing ethical concerns related to the use of real human remains.
The Legacy of Poltergeist and the Real Skeletons
Despite the controversy, the fact that Poltergeist used real skeletons did not seem to hurt its success or reputation in the long run. The film went on to become a massive hit, grossing over $121 million at the box office — an impressive sum for a horror movie in the early 1980s. It also became a cultural touchstone, inspiring sequels, a remake, and a dedicated fan base.
However, the story behind the real skeletons has remained a part of the film’s dark mythology. To this day, it’s a commonly discussed piece of trivia among horror movie fans, and many people find the revelation about the skeletons to be as haunting as the movie itself.
The Influence on Future Filmmaking
The use of real skeletons in Poltergeist is a rare and macabre example in the history of Hollywood filmmaking. Since then, the industry has become more aware of the ethical implications of using human remains in films, and strict regulations now govern how bones and skeletons can be used in production.
In modern filmmaking, special effects technology has advanced to the point where realistic fake skeletons can be created using CGI, prosthetics, or other means. This has significantly reduced the need for real human remains in films, and it’s unlikely that such a controversial decision would be made today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Were all of the skeletons in Poltergeist real?
A: Not all of the skeletons in Poltergeist were real, but several of the skeletons used in the pool scene were confirmed to be actual human bones. These were sourced from medical supply companies and were originally intended for educational use.
Q2: Did the cast know they were using real skeletons?
A: No, many of the cast members, including JoBeth Williams, were unaware that they were interacting with real human remains during filming. The revelation came after production, which led to surprise and discomfort among those involved.
Q3: Why did the filmmakers use real skeletons instead of fake ones?
A: The filmmakers used real skeletons primarily due to budgetary constraints. It was more cost-effective to purchase real human bones than to create realistic fake skeletons using special effects at the time.
Q4: Was there any backlash over the use of real skeletons in Poltergeist?
A: Yes, once the truth about the skeletons was revealed, there was public backlash, especially from those who felt it was unethical to use human remains for entertainment. However, the film’s success was not significantly impacted by this controversy.
Q5: Have other films used real human remains in production?
A: While the use of real human remains in films has been rare, there have been a few other instances where real bones were used in filmmaking, particularly in earlier decades. However, modern regulations and advancements in special effects have largely eliminated the need for real human remains in movies.
Q6: Is it true that the Poltergeist curse is linked to the use of real skeletons?
A: Some people believe in a “Poltergeist curse,” citing the untimely deaths of several cast members, including Heather O’Rourke and Dominique Dunne. However, there is no concrete evidence that the use of real skeletons is connected to these events. The idea of a curse remains a popular topic of speculation among fans.
Conclusion
The revelation that Poltergeist used real skeletons is one of the most chilling and bizarre behind-the-scenes facts in film history. While the filmmakers’ decision to use human remains was motivated by practical concerns, it added an unsettling layer to an already eerie movie. This controversial choice continues to intrigue audiences and contribute to the film’s legacy as one of the most unforgettable horror movies of all time.
Today, Poltergeist stands as a testament to the boundaries filmmakers were willing to push in order to create a memorable cinematic experience. The use of real skeletons may have been a dark chapter in the making of the film, but it has undoubtedly cemented Poltergeist as a classic — both for its supernatural horror and for its morbid filmmaking history.