James Cameron’s Underwater Epic: The Rat He Rescued

James Cameron’s 1989 science fiction film, The Abyss, is remembered as much for its perilous production as for its ambitious storytelling. The shoot was infamous for pushing cast and crew to their limits, with lead actor Ed Harris facing genuine danger during filming. Yet, amidst the chaos, Cameron found himself performing an unexpected act of heroism—not for a human, but for a small rodent named Beady.

Peril Beneath the Surface

The production of The Abyss has gone down in film history as one of the most hazardous. The majority of the filming took place in a disused nuclear power station, where a vast water tank was used to create the film’s underwater world. Cameron himself nearly drowned after running out of air while submerged, weighed down by heavy equipment. In a moment of panic, he abandoned his gear and made a desperate ascent, only to be stopped by a safety diver concerned about the risks of surfacing too quickly. Unable to breathe through the offered regulator, Cameron lashed out and forced his way to the surface.

Ed Harris, who played the protagonist Bud, also had a close call. During a particularly tense scene, Harris chose to rely on his own breath rather than the oxygenated liquid featured in the film. The delay in a diver reaching him left Harris convinced, if only for a moment, that he might not make it out.

It was a b*tch. It was pretty hairy…For a brief second, I thought this is it.

Beady the Rat: An Unlikely Survivor

Amidst these life-threatening incidents, Cameron’s attention turned to Beady, a rat used to demonstrate the film’s innovative oxygenated water technology. During filming, Beady nearly drowned, prompting Cameron to intervene. He performed CPR on the animal, ensuring its survival. The director later admitted that part of his motivation was to secure the ‘No Animals Were Harmed’ certification, but the experience led to an unexpected bond between man and rodent.

Beady became something of a companion to Cameron, even keeping him company at his desk while he worked on later projects. The rat lived to an old age, apparently untroubled by his brush with death, though the film itself was banned in the UK over concerns about animal welfare.

Beady and I bonded over the whole thing. I saved his life. We were brothers. He used to sit on my desk while I was writing Terminator 2, and he lived to a ripe old age. He didn’t seem particularly traumatised, though I know the film is outlawed in the U.K. because of ‘animal cruelty.’

Reflections on a Gruelling Experience

The Abyss was a punishing experience for all involved, but Ed Harris has spoken without bitterness about his time on set. Despite the physical and emotional toll, he expressed respect for Cameron’s talent and intellect, even if the director’s methods were sometimes difficult to endure.

I like Jim. He’s an incredibly talented, intelligent guy. In subsequent years after filming, it was always good to see him.

Cameron, for his part, has acknowledged that the ordeal of making The Abyss was formative, shaping his approach to later projects such as Titanic. While he may not look back fondly on the experience, the lessons learned proved invaluable for his future work.

The Abyss is currently available to rent on Apple TV.