The 1973 thriller, ‘Don't Look Now', is widely acknowledged as a significant piece of its time.
Examining the psychological turmoil of parents after losing a child, the film's substance, based on Daphne du Maurier's story, was elevated by director Nicolas Roeg's innovative editing techniques that highlighted recurring themes and motifs.
From its inception to the unexpected twist at the end, the movie is filled with noteworthy moments, but none have garnered as much attention as the intimate scene featuring actors Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie.
Set midway through the film, the scene is considered one of the most sensual and authentic portrayals of intimacy in cinematic history.
Noteworthy for its quality, Roeg intertwined the sequence with shots of Sutherland and Christie's characters preparing for dinner, showcasing a progressive approach that earned ‘Don't Look Now' an R-Rating from the MPAA in the US and an X certificate in the UK.
The scene's notoriety stemmed largely from rumors suggesting that Sutherland and Christie engaged in real intimacy on camera.
Speculation swirled around this claim upon the movie's release and persisted over the years, despite constant denials from the actors and production team.
In 2011, producer Peter Bart added fuel to the fire in his memoir by alleging that he witnessed the actors engaging in intimate acts during filming.
Bart claimed, “My gaze shifted to the actors, and I was riveted.
By their shifting positions, it was clear to me they were no longer simply acting: they were f***ing on camera.”
However, all parties involved vehemently refuted Bart's assertions.
Sutherland even went as far as issuing a statement countering Bart's claims, affirming that only the actors, Roeg, and cinematographer Anthony B. Richmond were present during filming.
Supporting Sutherland's stance, Richmond emphasized in the production notes for the 2019 Blu-ray release that trust between Christie and Roeg played a crucial role given their extensive collaboration.
He clarified, “We did a good job, it's very real.
People still say they actually made love, but they didn't.”
Screenwriter Allan Scott firmly dismissed Bart's account as “bullshit.”
Christie also addressed the controversy in an interview with Film4, describing the scene as merely “pretend s=x” that left both her and Sutherland feeling “dreadfully embarrassed.”
She recounted a humorous anecdote where her stepfather expressed concerns about her future roles post the film's release.
Apart from familial reactions, Christie's then-boyfriend, Warren Beatty, was reportedly furious about the scene.
Scott revealed that Beatty attempted to halt the film's distribution, prompting him to demand the scene be cut “pubic hair by pubic hair.”
Richmond affirmed Beatty's strong stance against the scene.
In a 2018 interview with Vulture, Sutherland shared his perspective on the controversial scene, echoing Christie's sentiments about their initial nervousness.
He confessed, “I was shy.
For a couple of very specific reasons, [Julie] was physically shy.”
Despite their trepidation, Sutherland expressed pride in Roeg's handling of the scene, emphasizing the accomplishment achieved.
