A History of Violence at 20: The Tale Behind David Cronenberg’s Contemporary Masterwork

      Hasitha Fernando shares insights on the background of A History of Violence as the film marks its 20th anniversary…

      Claiming that A History of Violence stands out as one of David Cronenberg’s more accessible works is accurate, yet it would be an oversight not to also regard it as one of his greatest achievements. The film delves into various thought-provoking themes, primarily examining the essence of violence and its destructive influence on those entangled in it. As this compelling psychological thriller commemorates its 20th anniversary, let’s explore the story behind its creation…

      David Cronenberg did not know the script was inspired by a graphic novel

      Renowned as the pioneer of the body horror genre, David Cronenberg has fascinated and repulsed audiences globally with his striking visuals and intense storytelling for over fifty years through films like Scanners, Videodrome, and The Fly. However, from the 2000s to the 2020s, he engaged in more grounded projects, as seen with Eastern Promises and A Dangerous Method. It was during this period that he created the critically acclaimed A History of Violence, which is based on the graphic novel by John Wagner, illustrated by Vince Locke, and initially published by Paradox Press in 1997 before being picked up by Vertigo Comics, both imprints of DC Comics. Ironically, Cronenberg, who found superhero comics to be juvenile, did not realize that the script by Josh Olson was an adaptation of a DC Comics property.

      Thomas Jane and Harrison Ford were contenders for the lead role

      Viggo Mortensen, a three-time Academy Award nominee, began his feature film career with a minor part in Peter Weir’s 1985 thriller Witness. Throughout the late 90s, Mortensen was involved in several films including The Portrait of a Lady, G.I. Jane, and A Perfect Murder, but he garnered international recognition with his breakout role as Aragorn in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy. For A History of Violence, Mortensen utilized a method acting approach, even bringing props for both the diner and the Stall home from his travels in the American Midwest. Before Mortensen was cast, Punisher actor Thomas Jane and Indiana Jones himself, Harrison Ford, were considered for the role of Tom Stall. However, both actors declined, leading to Mortensen being cast in the lead.

      Viggo Mortensen was dissatisfied with the initial script draft

      Josh Olson’s screenplay was loosely based on the original graphic novel. From the outset, Olson aimed to use the source material as a foundation to explore a narrative and themes of his interest. However, Viggo Mortensen was not particularly happy with Olson’s first draft. He only agreed to join the project after a friendly discussion with director David Cronenberg. Although uncredited, Cronenberg significantly contributed to revising the final shooting script. He described the film’s narrative as “a meditation on the human body and its relationship to violence.”

      William Hurt received an Oscar nomination for just 10 minutes of screen time

      The late William Hurt had a prolific career in film, spanning decades and earning three Academy Award nominations for Kiss of the Spider Woman, Children of a Lesser God, and Broadcast News. For his fourth and final Oscar nomination, Hurt was recognized for only 10 minutes of screen time, portraying Mortensen’s gangster brother Joey Cusack in A History of Violence.

      About the controversial sex scene in A History of Violence

      The sex scene between Viggo Mortensen and Maria Bello on the stairs was not only controversial but also challenging for Cronenberg to execute. The director was genuinely concerned for the safety of the performers and their well-being during the shooting of that scene, even inquiring if they had stunt pads to cushion the stairs. Some padding was indeed utilized, although Maria Bello still ended up with noticeable bruises that needed to be concealed when her character was shown lying naked in bed.

      Ed Harris played a practical joke to wrap up a scene

      Ed Harris is an actor who leaves a lasting impression, even in a brief cameo role, as he does in A History of Violence. Having garnered accolades and Academy Award nominations for films like The Truman Show, Apollo 13, Pollock, and The Hours, Harris has been active in the industry since the early 1980s, also making appearances in television series such as Empire Falls and Westworld. During the filming of the first bar scene with Harris, Mortensen struggled to stop laughing, necessitating multiple takes of the scene. Due to Mortensen’s antics, Harris chose to pull a prank, shooting the scene in his underwear instead of pants. Fortunately, they successfully completed the shot without Harris needing to remove his underwear!

      A History of Violence was the last film released on VHS

      In today’s world, where physical media has largely faded due to digitization and the rise of streaming platforms, VHS has nearly become an obsolete format. It is widely believed that A History of Violence was the last major motion picture released in