Ultimate "The Abyss", Part Three Quiz

Answer: James Cameron

Cameron's introduction of the complex, computer-generated "water tentacle" in this movie foreshadowed the much more extensive use of this fledgling technology in his later films, most notably in the "Terminator" series.

Answer: Gale Anne Hurd

Hurd was married to Cameron from 1985 to 1989. Interestingly, the year they divorced coincided with the year this film was released. Do you suppose there might be some connection there? Hurd has produced many notable films, including "The Terminator", "Aliens", "Armageddon" and "Hulk".

Answer: abandoned nuclear power plant building

At the time of filming, the largest underwater movie set ever constructed was located in the reactor containment building of an abandoned nuclear power plant in Gaffney, South Carolina. The massive structure proved to be the perfect solution for the problem of holding the huge volume of water, some seven million gallons, required for such a set.

Answer: Son of Abyss

The other choices may be just as fitting, but the "Son of Abyss" joke ran rampant during production. The shoot was extremely difficult, and proved physically and mentally traumatic for most of the cast and crew. They even had buttons and shirts made with the movie logo, but with the words "The Abuse" in place of the movie's proper title.

Answer: both of these

Biehn played the part of Kyle, John Connor's biological father from the future, in "The Terminator". In the scene in "The Terminator II" where the good Terminator and the Connors hid out in a gas station, the name on the pumps at that station was "Benthic Petroleum". Another connection was Gale Anne Hurd, who was producer for both films.

Answer: True

First of all, the part of Beany was played by five different rats. One of them did indeed get an invite to appear on the show, along with Todd Graff, who played the part of "Hippy", Beany's owner. However, Beany had passed away a few weeks before the film opened. Graff insisted it was due to natural causes, and had nothing to do with the scene where Beany was submerged in oxygenated fluid.

The rat was really immersed in oxygenated liquid for that scene, much to the displeasure of animal rights activists.

Answer: True

It was left intact, mostly due to financial considerations. 20th Century Fox still owns the set, and has posted copyright infringement warnings on it to deter photographers.

Answer: all of these

The millions of plastic beads proved a very effective solution, blocking light while still allowing divers to surface from anywhere in the pool (an important safety consideration). This was apparently still not completely sufficient, however, because they also covered the entire building with a massive black tarp.

When that ripped apart during production, the decision was made to switch to a night-shooting-only status.

Answer: his brother, Mike

Cameron's younger brother Mike played a member of the USS Montana crew. He was the one with a fire extinguisher in the sinking scene, who was also the dead crewman who had a crab crawl out of his mouth when the SEALs were searching the sunken sub. Mike also helped design special underwater cameras for the film. Cameron really does have a daughter named Claire, but I made up the names of his father and sister.

Answer: The discovery of the Titanic's wreckage

Cameron was fascinated by the Titanic discovery. Apparently, filming "The Abyss" didn't quench this deep-sea interest, and he went on to win multiple Oscar Awards for the movie "The Titanic" in 1997. Even after that, Cameron remained intrigued by the Titanic site, and even did a serious 3-D documentary about it, "Ghosts of the Abyss" in 2003.