James Cameron's little-known 'best film' is now on Netflix but nearly killed him

Edinburgh Live

12-05-2025

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James Cameron, the mastermind behind some of the biggest blockbusters like Avatar and its sequel, the first two Terminator movies, Titanic, and Aliens, has another gem that's now streaming on Netflix.
The Abyss, a film that might not be as well-known but is packed with some of the most harrowing (read: near fatal) production tales - many shared by the cast and crew themselves over time. The 1989 sci-fi epic was shot in massive water tanks built inside a disused power station in Gaffney, South Carolina, marking Cameron's initial foray into certain techniques and technologies he would later refine and use in Titanic and Avatar.
The Abyss' filming demanded that the cast and crew spend long hours submerged in water, clad in diving gear, which proved to be not just demanding but also led to some sharp remarks from the actors afterwards, particularly Ed Harris who infamously referred to his experience as "a bitch."
The shoot even almost claimed the life of James Cameron himself. One critic hailed the movie as "colossally ambitious", saying: "This logistically boggling and technically brilliant film from writer-director James Cameron is a visual tour de force, featuring overall, the greatest underwater sequences ever seen on film."
Featuring Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Michael Biehn, Leo Burmester, Todd Graff, and John Bedford Lloyd, James Cameron's deep-sea saga 'The Abyss' was initially deemed a box-office letdown, raking in just $90 million against its $42 million budget, reports the Express.
(Image: (Image: AP))
Despite the lukewarm financial reception, the movie scooped up an array of awards, bagging an Oscar for visual effects and earning nods for art direction, sound, and cinematography. Reflecting on the gruelling production process, James Cameron told Variety: "The Abyss was tough on everybody.
"I used to be underwater eight to 10 hours a day, six days a week for 10 straight weeks. If you're a scuba diver, you know that a two-dive day is a heavy day as a diver.
"I used to fall asleep at night with my dinner plate on my chest and I'd wake up in the morning and it's still there - I hadn't moved all night. So it was physically taxing for me and for them [the cast].
"It was a tough shoot. There was no way for me to make it easier on everybody than what it was, other than to just not do it. And that's not my style.
"I mean, I did try to make it as easy as possible. But you see the work."
A critic said: "Anyone looking for a discouraging word about this stupendously exciting and emotionally engulfing film should read no further. The Abyss confirms James Cameron as a world-class filmmaker."
(Image: (Image: Channel 4))
One reviewer, completely taken by the film, added: "Blew my mind way back when it came out, and it blew it again in my recent revisit. James Cameron had already left his mark in water-related films, even before Titanic and Avatar," while another shared: "After all these years, James Cameron's The Abyss remains the most intense movie I have ever seen."
A fan of the film praised it, saying: "James Cameron's best film imo (in my opinion). A work of art that was very difficult to make, but it was worth it.
"The performances, set design, storyline and special effects are beyond amazing. This is top of the line film at the highest level of all time. Perfection! !".
Another enthusiast said: "Audience: Back in the 90's, I had the pleasure of experiencing this mind-blowing sci-fi film, and even to this day, it continues to captivate me. Undoubtedly, it has secured its place as one of my all-time favorites in the genre. However, let me tell you, the uncut version takes the brilliance to a whole new level.
"James Cameron had to make some tough decisions for the theatrical release, resulting in some brutal cuts. Yet, the impact of this film remains undeniable. The special effects showcased in this cinematic wonder left me in awe. It's astonishing how they have stood the test of time, retaining their power and allure even years later."