River Runs Through It, A (1992)
Animal Action
There are many fishing scenes in this movie. The fish were being handled and overseen by fish consultant, John Dietrisch, Marsall Bloom of Trout Unlimited and fish biologist, Joe Urbanny. No fish were actually caught from the river, but, instead were trucked in in specially designed trucks for transporting fish. The fish were kept in a holding pen in the river, which was made out of pipe with one inch chicken wire and nylon webbing to protect them from predators. There was also canvas or plastic on the end of the pen to protect the fish from the river current. The holding area was placed in the river in a place where there was adequate shade during the day. The trunk in which the fish were transported in was equipped with nitrogen and oxygen and a pump for circulating the water. The fish were not hooked at any time in the film with a fish hook, but instead a small hole was put in the fish’s lip and mono-filament line run through. All fish had been previously sedated so that they were not in any pain. Recovery time was very quick.
In the first fishing scene you see the father and the two young sons fishing. The fish is pulled out of the water and then you see three dead fish lying on the ground. This was shot in cuts. The three dead fish had died in the hatchery.
In the next fishing scene you see the two brothers fishing. There’s a little struggle in this fishing scene and then you see him holding the live fish in his hands. The fish were only out of the water for a few moments. Struggles with all of the fish were done by a person on the other end of the line, tugging on the line to make it appear like the fish were struggling.
When Paul catches a really big fish, it appears like there is a long, long struggle. However, much of the time you see Paul struggling and you do not see the fish. Then Paul goes under water and there is a cut to him holding up the fish. The real struggle was actually done with a gallon milk bottle full of rock.
There is one scene with a dog. Norman’s future brother-in-law is bitten by the family dog at which time it appears like he slaps the dog in the head. This scene was also done in cuts with neither the bite nor the slap actually happening.
The American Humane Association training officer visited the set in early production to look over the housing conditions of the fish. The Humane Society of Gallatin Valley represented the American Humane Association during filming. They were not able to be there at all times, but after reading their reports, talking with them, and consulting with the producer, American Humane is rating A River Runs Through It “Believed Acceptable”.