5 Movies With Dark Backstories That Will Change the Way You Watch Them

Some films have charming visuals and touching plots, but behind them lie stories that can change your perception of your favorite movies.

Behind the scenes of these seemingly innocent projects, animals were mistreated, actors were put in real danger, and creators resorted to desperate measures for the sake of a striking shot.

1. 'Skippy', 1931

IMDb Score: 6.3/10

Skippy is a wealthy boy who regularly wanders the city's slums, despite his parents' prohibitions. There, he meets a boy named Sooky, and they soon become best friends.

One day, the friends provoke a local bully named Harley. He accidentally breaks the windshield of his father's car, but blames the boys. Enraged, Harley's father takes Sooky's dog and demands compensation within three days, otherwise he will shoot the dog.

There's a scene where the young lead actor, Jackie Cooper, is supposed to burst into tears. Director Norman Taurog decided the scene needed real emotion, so he had an assistant take Cooper's dog outside the studio gates and pretend to shoot it.

Of course, no one actually intended to kill the dog. However, Jackie was only nine years old at the time, and he will remember the incident forever. The actor even titled his autobiography Please Don't Shoot My Dog.

2. 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey', 2012

IMDb Score: 7.8/10

Bilbo Baggins considered himself an ordinary hobbit. However, everything changed after his family friend, Gandalf, visited him on his birthday. The wizard had chosen Bilbo to help a company of dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield.

The only mar on Peter Jackson's movie is that at least 27 animals – goats, horses, and sheep – died due to poor conditions during the filming.

3. 'The Wizard of Oz', 1939

IMDb Score: 8.1/10

Victor Fleming's musical fairy tale made cinematic history, but the atmosphere on set was far from magical. The film's star, 17-year-old Judy Garland, endured a living hell – she was harassed and insulted by studio executives.

To make her look younger, she was forced to wear a rigid corset that concealed her figure, and she was put on a diet of coffee and cigarettes. Furthermore, she was given questionable medications.

All of this led to Garland's addiction to psychoactive substances and drugs and triggered a breakdown of her already fragile psyche. Ultimately, Garland died of an overdose at age 47.

4. 'Gone Fishin'', 1997

IMDb Score: 4.9/10

Best friends Joe and Gus win a free hotel stay near one of the best fishing spots. But on the way, they have a series of incredible adventures.

The comedy, starring Joe Pesci and Danny Glover, is not remembered for its plot or jokes, but rather for a tragic, real-life death that occurred on set. What began as a harmless boat stunt went awry when the boat lost control and crashed into a crowd of actors.

As a result, stuntwoman Janet Wilder died and four other extras, including her husband, were injured.

5. 'Back to the Future Part III', 1990

IMDb Score: 7.5/10

Doc accidentally travels back in time to 1885. Despite his request that no one visit him, Marty decides to intervene and prevent his friend from dying at the hands of the villainous Buford.

Michael J. Fox, who played Marty, nearly died from asphyxiation while filming a scene. In the scene, Marty is hanged by the neck, and only the appearance of a friend saves his life. The plan was to use a real noose that wouldn't tighten all the way to hang Fox.

However, the situation quickly spiraled out of control, and the rope snapped, pinching the actor's throat. Worse yet, the crew didn't immediately realize that Fox was suffocating – he lost consciousness for a few moments before they freed him.