The 1982 Movie Poltergeist Used Real Skeletons as – Tymoff
In 1982, the horror movie Poltergeist was released to critical acclaim and box office success. However, in the years since its release, the movie has become infamous for a disturbing fact: real human skeletons were used as props in certain scenes.
The use of real human remains in films is not entirely unheard of, especially in horror movies. But the use of real skeletons in Poltergeist was particularly unsettling because of the nature of the movie’s plot, which revolves around a family’s supernatural experiences in their suburban home.
According to reports, the skeletons were obtained from a medical supply company that specialized in providing cadavers and body parts for research and educational purposes. The company was allegedly able to acquire the skeletons because they were cheaper than fake replicas and were more readily available.
The most notable scene featuring the real skeletons occurs when the character played by actress JoBeth Williams falls into a pool that has been dug on top of an old cemetery. As she struggles to get out of the muddy water, she is surrounded by floating skeletons. Williams has since revealed that she was not aware that the skeletons were real at the time of filming.
The use of real human remains in films has long been a controversial topic, and the production of Poltergeist was no exception. Some members of the cast and crew reportedly expressed discomfort with the use of the skeletons, but director Tobe Hooper insisted on using them for the sake of realism.
In the years since the release of Poltergeist, the use of real skeletons in movies has become less common, largely due to increased scrutiny and regulation of the industry. However, the controversy surrounding Poltergeist’s use of real skeletons remains, and the movie continues to be a subject of debate among horror fans and movie historians.
Some argue that the use of real skeletons adds to the authenticity and effectiveness of the movie’s horror elements, while others argue that it is a disrespectful and unethical practice. Regardless of one’s opinion on the matter, it is clear that the use of real skeletons in Poltergeist was a disturbing and controversial choice that continues to fascinate and horrify audiences to this day.