Questions
Who is the main character in The Crow?
Eric Draven, a rock musician who is murdered alongside his fiancée Shelly and then resurrected by a mysterious crow to hunt down the gang responsible. He was played by Brandon Lee.
Is The Crow based on a comic book?
Yes. It is based on the 1989 comic book series created by James O’Barr. The screenplay was written by David J. Schow and John Shirley.
Who directed The Crow and when did it come out?
It was directed by Alex Proyas and released on May 13, 1994.
What is the story about?
Eric Draven and his fiancée are murdered on Devil’s Night in Detroit. One year later a crow resurrects Eric so he can take vengeance on the gang that killed them.
How did Brandon Lee die during filming?
On March 31, 1993, while filming in Wilmington, North Carolina, Lee was fatally wounded by a prop gun. He died from his injuries, and The Crow became his final film role.
What went wrong with the prop gun?
Reportedly a dummy cartridge (a squib load) had been left lodged in the barrel, and when blank rounds were fired the stuck bullet discharged with lethal force, striking Lee in the abdomen.
How did they finish the movie after Brandon Lee died?
Lee had already shot most of his scenes, so the filmmakers used script rewrites, his stunt double Chad Stahelski, and digital face replacement to complete the remaining shots. The opening was entirely reworked using computer graphics.
How much did Brandon Lee prepare for the role?
He reportedly lost 20 pounds for the part and worked closely on the choreography and stunts with fight coordinator Jeff Imada.
Was The Crow a box office success?
Yes. Made on a budget of about $23 million, it grossed roughly $94 million worldwide.
Did the film set any records on release?
Its opening weekend of $11.77 million was reportedly Miramax’s biggest opening ever at the time.
How did critics receive the film?
It holds an 87% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 71 on Metacritic. Roger Ebert called it a stunning work of visual style.
Who is the film dedicated to?
It is dedicated to Brandon Lee and his fiancée Eliza Hutton.
What music is in The Crow?
The chart-topping soundtrack featured artists including The Cure, Rage Against the Machine, and Nine Inch Nails. Stone Temple Pilots won an MTV Movie Award for Big Empty.
Were there any sequels or remakes?
The original gained cult status and spawned three sequels (1996, 2000, and 2005), a 1998 TV series, and a 2024 reboot, though none matched the original’s success.
