On December 25, Valkyrie, starring Tom Cruise opened in theaters across the country. The movie, based on a true story, details the assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler towards the end of World War II.
In the movie, Colonel Stauffenberg, played by Cruise, loses his hand during a surprise attack by the Allies while in North Africa. Although the actor briefly contemplated actually amputating his hand for the role, co-stars convinced Cruise that computer-generated imagery (CGI) was the more responsible choice. CGI would be used to remove the hand.
"I asked him what would happen if he played a role in the future where he needed both hands. After some thought he shook his head in agreement," said co-star, Bill Nighy.
However, CGI can add thousands of dollars to the production of a major motion picture. Directors and actors often forget this fact as budgets for Hollywood films seem limitless.
A production assistant on the set of Valkyrie came up with a cost-saving idea to give the appearance that Cruise's hand was missing: lengthen the sleeve of his jackets and shirts.
Director Bryan Singer called the idea brilliant.
"In every post-battle scene Tom is wearing a uniform jacket in which the sleeve on the right arm hangs low enough to cover his hand. It really makes the audience think his hand is missing."
Though the right sleeve is six inches longer than the left it is virtually impossible to determine this while in the theater.
"Audiences would really have to be looking for it to notice it," said Cruise.
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