THE DIRECTOR of Scottish cult classic 'Trainspotting' has admitted that one if its most iconic scenes couldn’t be done today due to health and safety rules.
Danny Boyle’s 1996 film ‘Trainspotting’ turned 25-years-old this year and as part a book celebrating the anniversary, the legendary filmmaker opened up on scenes that wouldn’t be possible today.
He said the iconic opening sequence of Ewan McGregor and Ewen Bremner being chased down by store detectives before being hit by a car would violate health and safety measures. However, back in the 90’s there was more of a relaxed attitude, he said.
Interviews in the new book by Jay Glennie titled '#25 Trainspotting', revealed actor Ewen Bremner, who played Spud, was even mown down by the quad bike which director Danny Boyle was using for the chase sequence.
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The book read: “Breathing hard, McGregor and Bremner waited for the cry of ‘action!’ as Boyle and Tufano jumped on a quad bike, with the motorcyclist instructed to go faster and get close to the pavement.
"Their tight schedule decrees they have to leave Edinburgh that evening and they’re determined to get their shot.
“Off camera, Saul Metzstein (location assistant) is running alongside Boyle and Tufano and ‘politely’ pushing startled shoppers out of the way.
"The pace has quickened, and a smiling Boyle can feel he is getting the shot he needs.
"A cry and a thud broke his concentration.
"Looking down, he saw a tangle of legs and arms, and a look of bemusement on the face of Ewen Bremner.”
Director Danny Boyle added: “You’d never get permission to film this way now.”
Whilst probably not meeting the legal health and safety requirements of today, the scene became an iconic part of the Irvine Welsh adaptation, with Ewan McGregor’s smile after being hit by the car being recognised worldwide.
Production Manager of the film, Lesley Stewart said: “Nowadays you would have made sure that an actor would be okay before attempting the shot, but back then you would read that Ewan was to be thrown over a bonnet of an oncoming car and stand there with your fingers crossed”
Bremner commented on the quadbike incident saying: “I could feel the bike getting closer, literally blowing the hairs on my neck!
"It was like take nine, I’m exhausted, and I ended up taking a somersault down the street.”
The 1996 film, which is treasured in Scotland, earned a sequel in ‘T2’ in 2016, and now there is another production in works relating to Irvine Welsh’s characters.
READ MORE: Robert Carlyle set to reprise Trainspotting's Begbie role in new TV series
Robert Carlyle was recently confirmed to return to his role of Begbie in a new series called ‘The Blade Artist’.
The Trainspotting TV sequel is set 20 years after the events of the 1996 film and will consist of six episodes, with Carlyle and Welsh taking up roles as executive producers.
Carlyle said: “The prospect of working with Irvine and bringing Francis Begbie to life once more is an absolute gift.”
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