The Terminator (1984): 15 Weird Facts You Didn't Know
Video Overview & Insights
#rememberwhen The Terminator (1984) wasn't supposed to be a classic that changed action movies? Before James Cameron became a blockbuster machine, before Arnold Schwarzenegger became a catchphrase factory (I'll be back", and before Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor redefined the action movie heroine, this was just a $6.4 million sci-fi gamble shot in the back alleys of Los Angeles. Somehow, it turned into one of the most influential action films of all time.
Harlen should have never won that.
These are 15 weird facts about The Terminator that prove this movie survived on grit, luck, and sheer stubbornness. If you think you know everything about the T2 Judgement day, T-800, Skynet, and that unstoppable march forward... think again.
The Terminator (1984): 15 Weird Facts You Didn't Know
Long said it was my fav movie. Then came to hate Arnie, and just can't be asked now. Screw my WHAT, Arnie?
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
I first saw it on cable and it scared me like no other movie as I knew all those street locations particularly in Downtown LA.
01:32 - #15: Scrapped Ending with Cyberdyne Reveal β James Cameron
03:01 - #14: Liquid Metal Villain Planned from Start β James Cameron
I might be in the minority, but I still think the first film was better than the second.
04:29 - #13: Arnold Was Almost the Hero β Arnold Schwarzenegger
06:27 - #12: Lawsuit from a Sci-Fi Legend β Harlan Ellison
None of the sequels had the same feel as 1 and 2
07:55 - #11: Minimal Dialogue by Design β Arnold Schwarzenegger
09:06 - #10: Cameron Sold Script for $1 β James Cameron
I was cool until you said J.C dreamed of the concept. FALSE
10:31 - #9: Fever Dream That Sparked a Franchise β James Cameron
12:13 - #8: Arnold Terrified a Restaurant β Arnold Schwarzenegger
Get to da choppahhhhhh!!!!!! Iβd argue thatβs up there with Iβll be back!
13:36 - #7: Kept Distance from Co-Stars β Arnold Schwarzenegger
14:37 - #6: Reese Almost Lost to a Southern Accent β Michael Biehn
I'm calling BS. Arnold never went to a restaurant w makeup as a robot missing an eye. That shot was a rubber head. The live shots of Arnold always showed him w dark sunglasses. So, yeah. That never happened. Pure fantasy.
16:09 - #5: Lance Henriksenβs Intense Studio Pitch β Lance Henriksen
17:36 - #4: Cameronβs Voice Hidden in Scenes β James Cameron
I remember seeing this βcutβ ending when the movie was first released, but when I watched for the second time years later, it wasnβt there. I thought I was crazier than I am.
19:05 - #3: Creepy Fog Was Just Bug Spray β James Cameron
20:04 - #2: Filmed Like a Guerrilla Heist β James Cameron
Iβm 34. Never watched it. Watched it by myself on July 4th weekend. I thought it would be alright just super cheesy. Itβs badass I love this movie and I watched the second one right after
21:59 - #1: "I'll Be Back" Nearly Got Changed β Arnold Schwarzenegger
Watch more 80s movie deep dives here:
He blinks a lot while shooting... did you even re-watch it to make sure that was accurate? It's one of the things that bugs me the most about the film.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRZTUGHHqdh5JuHEGl7kLc32l_t5P4SEw
#theterminator #JamesCameron #ArnoldSchwarzenegger #LindaHamilton #MichaelBiehn #80sMovies #SciFiMovies #MovieTrivia #FilmHistory #BehindTheScenes #Terminator1984 #80sSciFi #PracticalEffects #classicmovies #tvnostalgia #actionmovies #terminator2
The weird fact I know is why didn't Kyle get some pants when he was in the store. I'm sure the cops or Terminator can smell that.
More User Perspectives
I saw in an interview with Arnie and the actress who played sarah (sorry her name escapes me) that the scene when the terminator smashes a cars window to gain access they didn't actually own the car, the actors didn't realise this until the cops showed up. (it was on the Graham Norton show if you want to check it out, it was hilarious).
@Ariane-qq9coSofia Stewart
@nottsgrl2432Good ole hollywood. "Cast my friends to fck up the film cause I gave monet". Glad Cameron didn't back down.
@ActorChrisGreeneon your feet soldier!!!
@ActorChrisGreeneThe part that upsets me is that there are 30 year old adult male that donβt know about this movie, β¦like tf do you mean? are you even a man if you donβt know Terminator?????
@KReeMMeeNALstill my favourite film of all time.
@rayuk3939Great video. The fruit fly fumigation during filming was a definite weird occurrence
@shawncosmos5431@14:08 Why the hell are his eyebrows missing???
@xokelis0015Only Linda Hamilton could pull off the role with those big manly jawbones.
@johnross775Could someone please tell me if Arnold actually had his hair cut after getting caught in flames or donning a wig. It's just so cool looking. Lol.
@BoyG10I rmbr an interview with Robert Patrick. He said he was an alcoholic. He got the part & managed to stay dry for the shoot. Soon as filming ended he drank every penny of the money for 10 years before drying up & getting parts again
@MotelVibes.Sci Fly???
@matthewnighthawkcolson11095:40 yeah well, he does flinch and blink tho
@TheOneAndOnlySameLance wouldve been great, and the silly action couldve been tones down to focus more on the unstoppable terror!
@eponaalbionThat woman at 4:05 playing Janelle Voight/T-1000 (John Connor's step mom), is Jenette Goldstein. You might know her as Private Vasquez from Aliens (1986).
@Lord.Kiltridge20:30 - Remember that scene, when the Terminator tosses the cop away from the car to continue the chase? That cop is played by William Wisher, the cowriter for T2.
@guessundheit6494"Sci-fli fick."
That's awesome.
WESTWORLD, Is, what this film, reminded me of, when, I first watched it, in 1984,
I don't know if, folks remember that Westworld film...
I was actually thinking, why didn't a wealthier director do The Terminator movie with better sound.. because, The story was incredible, with a low budget sound..
Lol!!
Also!!! Is that Mark Hamell at 11:46 between the T-800 and the bearded guy!?!?!?
@miketalas7998You know I believe that Cameran thought this up in a dream or nightmare, because when my big brother got home from some School trip to Southern California, he talked about seeing this movie premier, and when he told the basic theme I asked out right away "You mean you could shoot this thing with a 12 Gauge and it would still get back up?" and the way he nodded his head was like a Spooky Camp Fire Story!!! XD
@miketalas7998We all remember The Expendables 2 when in a shooting scene Arnold says "I'll be back" to shooting partner McClane - I mean, Bruce Willis then Bruce responds, "No, you stay. I'LL BE back". To what Arnold says, "yippee ki yay..." Humor at its best.
@JorgeGonzalez-rb9jiFiring without blinking? Yeah, nice try.
@puuxexilJason Patrick's "Have you seen this boy?" cameo in Wayne's World was awesome.
@Chuckf66Saw this film in the theater, when it first came out in '84. Saw it a total of 15 times in the theater.
At first, during prime time and then it became a midnighter! Always exciting, loved every explosion.
Then watched it again countless times on cable. Bought it on VHS, and later on DVD. STILL watch
it until this day, never tire of it! So many little hidden things in it, got the "Director's Cut" as well as
T2. Only two worth having in my opinion.
Psyfly fick?
@bruceyredburnHey buddy, ya got a dead cat in there?
@Gary-t4hSaw Terminator on HBO for the first time as a kid. Scared the hell out of me.
@heatherwade2373Lance Henriksen was Cameron's original choice for the T800 - his face was used in all the story boards, and he was dressed up for the pitch to studio execs. The studio wanted OJ Simpson as the Terminator. Thank goodness Arnie got the role!
@simondillonNice, but lay off the AI. Horrible sloppy phrases in the script.
@xxx001Vid doesn't mention that while Arnold was being considered for Reeses Character...
OJ Simpson was strongly considered for the T-800..
That would have been a different movie..but i think Hendrickson could have played a fair T-800..
17:58 I used to imagine that Stan Morsky ran into Kyle Reese just before making that call and only made it because Reese threatened to emasculate him with his stolen shotgun. Yeah, I have a weird imagination.
@redpillfreedom6692This is one of the greatest Si Fly Fix of all time.
@christopherpayne5635Being in that restaurant when Conan the Barbarian walks in with a half metal skull and glowing eye then orders food would of been the greatest meal of all time
@thekingofra5063haha "sci fly fick"
@no_one_worth_knowingFirst saw the movie on Cable.
Scared the hell outta me.
I LOVED IT!!!
Launched 2 films ππ
@leejones3061- When a movie needs someone to empty the trash cans, buy snacks and run errands, the director is first in line for these services.
@steelhere5519Makes fun of arnie .. goes on to pronounce it "sci-fly"
@har8397