Steven Spielberg is known for directing the first four films in the globally popular Indiana Jones franchise. The action-adventure franchise started with 1981’s Raiders of the Lost Ark and continues to be revered for its action set-pieces, including the Well of Souls scene from the first installment.
In the infamous scene, Indiana Jones finds himself dealing with a crypt full of snakes, while trying to recover a mysterious artifact. The scene required the use of several real snakes, which quickly turned into a nightmare for director Steven Spielberg, who was caught yelling at a snake for messing up his shot, albeit jokingly. Here is why the Well of Souls scene was challenging for Steven Spielberg.
Steven Spielberg Blamed a Snake For Ruining the Well of Souls Scene in the First Indiana Jones Film
In Raiders of the Lost Ark, directed by Steven Spielberg, protagonist Indiana Jones escapes a booby-trap of snakes in the opening scene. However, during the climax, Jones is once again faced with snakes while trying to retrieve the Ark of the Covenant.
In one scene, Jones lowers himself into the Well of Souls, only to discover it is completely covered with snakes. However, while filming the scene Spielberg faced a unique challenge. In the behind-the-scenes documentary, the Academy Award-winning director explained that the snakes, who were supposed to be afraid of fire, ended up being attracted to it.
“In the script, you’re supposed to hate fire! Why do you like fire? You’re ruining my movie!”
Spielberg made the above statement in a behind-the-scenes clip from the film’s set, where he is seen confronting one of the snakes. As a result, it is evident that Spielberg and his crew had a difficult time filming the Well of Souls scene, and the director at least jokingly felt that the snakes were responsible for it.
Steven Spielberg Wanted to Puke After Seeing the Well of Souls Scene Set
During the same documentary, Spielberg also spoke about another challenge the film’s crew faced while dealing with the snakes in the Well of Souls scene. Spielberg explained that the crew had ordered roughly 2000 to 3000 non-venomous snakes for the scene.
However, the snakes barely covered the center of the set, resulting in Spielberg asking for more snakes to be brought in.
“I gotta have live snakes, and there’s not enough. The set’s too big for the amount of snakes that we have.”
Spielberg can be heard making the above statement in another one of the behind-the-scenes clips from the sets of Raiders of the Lost Ark. Eventually, the crew brought in more snakes, bringing the total number of snakes on set to roughly 7000. The site was absolutely displeasing for Spielberg, who confessed:
“I’m not afraid of snakes, but that made me nauseous. That made me want to puke.”
From Spielberg’s words, it is evident that working with the snakes was not a pleasant experience for the director. Meanwhile, Spielberg’s close friend George Lucas, who devised the film’s story admitted that he had anticipated the issue with the amount of snakes on set, and joked it was the primary reason he did not want to direct the movie.
Raiders of the Lost Ark is streaming on Disney+.
