The Shadow of "The Raven": 18 reasons why the old cult film from 1994 still haunts and excites viewers (20 photos)

Alex Proyas's 1994 cult classic "The Crow" about a man brought back from the dead to avenge his fiancée's murder is marred by tragedy.





Its star, Brandon Lee, died on set in an accident just days before filming was scheduled to wrap and shortly before his own wedding. Here's what you might not know about this profound, mystical film.

1. Two Tragedies and a Comic



The Raven #1 (February 1989)

"The Raven" is based on a comic book that grew out of two tragedies. In 1981, 21-year-old James O'Barr, while drawing combat instructions for the Marine Corps, began working on "The Raven." He hoped it would help him cope with the death of his fiancée, who was killed by a drunk driver. Another story he heard about a couple murdered over an engagement ring became key to the comic's plot. This sparked the idea of ​​a love so strong that it can transcend death.

2. The Right Idea for the Right Film





James O'Barr is an American comic book artist, writer, and graphic artist. He created the comic book series "The Crow."

Interest in adapting the comic book for film arose almost immediately after its release. O'Barr, then working as an auto mechanic, was discovered by a young director who wanted to buy the rights permanently. Friends persuaded him to consult with a Hollywood agent, who dissuaded him from such a deal. O'Barr soon met screenwriter John Shirley and producer Jeff Most, whose enthusiasm convinced him the film would be made right.

3. A Lengthy Adaptation and the Final Cut



Brandon Lee on the set

Shirley and Most immediately set to work on the adaptation, making changes. They toned down the drug theme in Eric's character, emphasized the love story, and made the raven a real bird communicating with the hero telepathically. Producer Ed Pressman joined the project. Shirley spent two years refining the script, adding characters and making "Devil's Night" the motivation for the attack on Eric and Shelly, which also tied the action to Detroit.

4. Choosing a Director



Alex Proyas is an Australian filmmaker known for science fiction films.

The producers considered Australian Alex Proyas, known for his music videos but who hadn't yet directed a feature film. Musicians were initially considered for the role of Eric Draven, but the best candidate was Brandon Lee, son of the legendary Bruce Lee, who perfectly combined acting talent and physical fitness.

5. The Protagonist's Opinion



After Lee's approval, he delved into the material. Proyas incorporated his comments into the script. Ultimately, one of the supervillains, a stereotypical Asian character, was cut because Lee deemed it inappropriate.

6. The History of Iconic Makeup



KISS

Eric Draven's makeup wasn't easy. There were rumors of Alice Cooper or KISS being the influence, but O'Barr denied them, saying the look was inspired by a puppet mask. The makeup took up to an hour to apply, and Proyas and Lee believed he looked better when slightly sloppy and disheveled.

7. Deep Dive



David Patrick Kelly as T-Bird

The actors playing the villains delved deeply into their roles. David Patrick Kelly, who plays T-Bird, bought an old edition of Milton's Paradise Lost for inspiration, which his character quotes in the film.

8. An Unnoticeable Replacement



They used trained rooks instead of ravens for the filming. The trainer had to train the birds to work at night and fly in the rain.

9. Little Tricks of a Big Film



Due to the limited budget, the film crew resorted to tricks. The effect of a burning city was created using miniatures and projections. The iconic shotgun ring scene was filmed by dropping fake rings onto the camera through smoke. The car chase and the final rooftop duel were also filmed using miniatures and props.

10. Use of Special Effects



Special effects were also used. For the bird attack scene, a mechanical rook was created. For the scene with the healing wound on his arm, a mechanical replica of Lee's hand was created. A full-size mannequin of Top Dollar's character was also made for the climax.

11. The Author's Involvement in the Film



James O'Barr appeared in the film as a looter who steals a television after the pawn shop explosion.

12. Tragic Accident



A few days before filming wrapped, Brandon Lee died tragically on set. Filming had already been under difficult conditions, and misfortune had dogged the crew from the very beginning. During the filming of Eric's death scene, an unnoticed bullet remained in the revolver used by actor Michael Massee, aka Fanboy. A blank shot ejected the bullet, fatally wounding Lee. Paramount declined distribution, but with the permission of Lee's family, filming was completed after a break. No criminal charges were filed, but the actor's mother filed a civil suit, which was settled. Massee struggled to recover from the tragedy for a long time.

13. Revised Script



Michael Massee as Fanboy

After Lee's death, the script was rewritten, toning down the emotional content. Missing scenes featuring Lee were edited from existing footage, and the Skull Cowboy character, who explained the rules of reanimation, was completely cut. His exposition was replaced with Sarah's voiceover. Several other scenes were also cut. These changes shifted the film's focus to the theme of overcoming grief.

14. Complex Shots of Their Time



The film's finale made extensive use of cutting-edge visual effects. Using footage of Lee and digital editing technology, Dream Quest Images created several complex shots, including one that inserted the actor's face into a broken mirror.

15. The Accepted Concept



Studio executives were initially worried that audiences wouldn't understand the concept of returning from the dead, but these fears proved unfounded.

16. The Top



"The Crow" was released on May 13, 1994, and immediately topped the box office. The film received critical praise and grossed nearly $51 million in the United States.

17. Good Deeds



James O'Barr donated almost all of his earnings from the film to charity, not wanting to profit from the death of a friend.

18. Many Branches



Still from the TV series "The Crow: Stairway to Heaven" (1998-1999)

The franchise spawned several sequels and a TV series, though Proyas noted that Lee would have made a great second film.



Still from the 2024 film "The Crow"

A remake of "The Crow," which had been talked about since 2008, was released in 2024 under the direction of Rupert Sanders and starring Bill Skarsgård. Despite a stellar cast and visual style, it failed to replicate the success of the original. Critics and audiences agreed that the film lacked the emotional depth, the charisma of Bill Skarsgård's lead character, and the dark, personal tragedy that made the 1994 film a cult classic. The film is often characterized as a stylish but soulless and derivative sequel that offers no compelling new interpretation of the Crow myth. It was a box office and critical failure, definitively confirming the original's unique status, inseparable from Brandon Lee's personality.