By Jason Bailey from NYT Movies
"Twilight Zone: The Movie" is a 1983 anthology film based on the classic television series "The Twilight Zone." While the movie had several segments directed by different filmmakers, one particular segment, directed by John Landis, was marred by a tragic accident that resulted in the loss of lives.
During the filming of the segment titled "Time Out," which starred actor Vic Morrow, two child actors, Myca Dinh Le (aged 7) and Renee Shin-Yi Chen (aged 6), were also involved. The scene being filmed took place during the Vietnam War and depicted a helicopter escaping from enemy fire. Tragically, a series of missteps and safety violations led to a helicopter accident on set.
In the scene, a low-flying helicopter was carrying Morrow and the two child actors across a river. Due to the use of pyrotechnics and special effects, the helicopter lost control and crashed into the water, resulting in the deaths of Morrow and the two children. The incident occurred on July 23, 1982, in California.
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The accident sparked significant controversy and led to legal proceedings. The filmmakers, including director John Landis, were charged with involuntary manslaughter due to negligence in ensuring the safety of the cast and crew. After a highly publicized trial, Landis and four other defendants were acquitted of the charges, although the incident had a profound impact on the film industry's safety standards and regulations.
The tragic accident during the production of "Twilight Zone: The Movie" resulted in the loss of three lives and raised critical concerns about on-set safety practices. It served as a catalyst for increased scrutiny and stricter regulations regarding stunts and special effects in the film industry.