The production of “American Made” was disrupted by a catastrophic tragedy that echoed the audacious activities of the film’s protagonist, Barry Seal. This tragic turn of events was reminiscent of the hazards that were shown in the film itself. Behind the scenes of the film that was released in 2017, Tom Cruise played the lead part. However, the production was confronted with a tragic reality when a crash resulted in the deaths of two pilots and left another pilot with severe injuries.
Andrew Purwin, Jimmy Lee Garland, and Carlos Berl were the pilots of a twin-engine Aerostar 600 that was being used for the production of the movie when the unfortunate flight took place in Colombia in September of 2015. As a result of the accident, Garland, who was also a pilot-mechanic and a double for Tom Cruise, suffered significant injuries. On the other hand, Purwin and Berl tragically lost their lives.
In the aftermath of the incident, the families of the pilots who had passed away filed lawsuits, bringing up concerns about the safety procedures that were in place, and charging that those responsible for ensuring a safe production environment had been negligent. It is important to note that Berl, despite his extensive experience, had raised worries regarding the unfamiliar Aerostar aircraft, which highlights the difficulties that the crew was experiencing.
The charges of coerced air travel, compromised planes, and faked certifications further complicated the situation, which ultimately led to drawn-out court fights. In the end, the cases were settled in 2019 for an amount that was not disclosed, which brought attention to the far-reaching repercussions that the incident had on the safety standards and regulatory control within the film business.
Throughout the course of Hollywood’s history, this terrible episode is not an uncommon one. A vivid reminder of the dangers that are involved in bringing cinematic visions to reality, even in the quest of great artistic achievements, was provided by the fact that similar dangers were encountered during the making of “Top Gun” in the year 1985.
Despite the passage of time and the film’s continued popularity, “American Made” serves as a sobering reminder of the real-life dangers that those involved in the creation of cinematic masterpieces face. It emphasises the significance of emphasising the importance of prioritising safety above all else when it comes to the pursuit of creative endeavours.
