Don’t you hate it when you tell a U.S. Marshal that you didn’t kill your wife and all he says is, “I don’t care”? It’s enough to make you want to jump off a dam. That amazing moment is one of many indelible images from The Fugitive, the 1993 blockbuster that earned Tommy Lee Jones his only Oscar (so far) and served as about the tenth reminder that Harrison Ford was among the world’s biggest movie stars. As befits a movie with an unnecessarily complicated plot, the behind-the-scenes story of The Fugitive is just as twisty. Let’s take the plunge.

1. THE STORY WENT THROUGH A LOT OF DRAFTS, INCLUDING SOME RIDICULOUS ONES.

It was a five-year process during which nine writers wrote “at least 25 different screenplays,” according to producer Arnold Kopelson. (This might be one of those stories that gets bigger each time it’s told. The week the film was released, Kopelson said it was eight writers and 14 drafts. But still.) No surprise—the movie was to be based on a TV series that had run for 120 episodes and had a master plot running through it, in which wrongly convicted Dr. Richard Kimble searches for the one-armed man who killed his wife. There are countless variations of how that could be condensed into a single two-hour story. In one of the drafts, the big twist was that Tommy Lee Jones’ Agent Samuel Gerard had hired the one-armed man to kill Kimble’s wife as revenge for a botched surgery.

2. IT WAS ALMOST ALEC BALDWIN INSTEAD OF HARRISON FORD.

Kopelson, a fan of the TV series, had been trying off and on to get the film made since the 1970s. It was finally about to happen in the early ’90s, with Alec Baldwin in the lead role and Walter Hill (48 Hrs.) as director, but Warner Bros. didn’t think Baldwin had enough star power. “With an expensive movie, the consideration is, what star can ‘open’ it,” Kopelson said, “and the studio wasn’t certain at that time that Alec could do it.” (By the way, this was the second time Baldwin had lost a role to Harrison Ford, who also replaced him as Jack Ryan in The Hunt for Red October sequel Patriot Games.)

3. IT SEEMS LIKE NOBODY INVOLVED HAD EVER WATCHED THE SHOW.

Except for producer Kopelson, anyway. Harrison Ford said he’d never seen it. Andrew Davis, the director, said, “You know, it was the ’60s, and I was into other things besides watching television.” Tommy Lee Jones made similar comments. Maybe that’s a lesson for successfully turning a TV series into a movie: don’t be too attached to the source material.

4. THAT’S A REAL TRAIN HITTING A REAL BUS.

No miniatures. Twenty-seven cameras (according to Davis). One take. (Ford jumping free from it was a superimposed image, of course.) It was filmed in Sylva and Dillsboro, North Carolina, where the wreckage is now a tourist attraction.

5. SO FAR, IT’S THE ONLY ADAPTATION OF A TV SERIES TO BE NOMINATED FOR BEST PICTURE.

Dozens of TV shows have been turned into movies, but The Fugitive is the only one so far to be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. (No, Marty doesn’t count. That was based on a TV movie. And not Traffic, either, which was an adaptation of a miniseries. Look, we said The Fugitive was the only one. Don’t question us.)

6. THE CHASE THROUGH THE ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE WAS REAL.

Rather than try to stage a fake one, Davis used Chicago’s actual St. Patrick’s Day parade as the setting for part of Kimble and Gerard’s cat-and-mouse game. Without rehearsal, Ford and Jones just went out into the crowd and did their thing, with camera operators running around trying to keep up. Ford observed that since his character was keeping a low profile, it meant he himself didn’t stand out much and lasted several minutes in the crowd before being recognized.

7. IT WAS FILMED IN A HOSPITAL, AND IN A SCHOOL POSING AS A HOSPITAL.

They were able to shoot some of the hospital scenes in a real hospital in Sylva, North Carolina, while others were filmed in a nearby elementary school whose hallways were dressed to look like a hospital. Apparently old schools and old hospitals look a lot alike.

8. TOMMY LEE JONES MADE UP A LOT OF HIS OWN DIALOGUE.

The film began shooting before the script was complete, with writer Jeb Stuart on the set to come up with new material as needed. That left the door open for the actors to suggest their own ideas, which Jones was happy to do. “Think me up a cup of coffee and a chocolate donut with some of those little sprinkles on top” was his contribution, as was the (above) exchange involving the word “hinky.”

9. HARRISON FORD WASN’T FAKING HIS BEFUDDLEMENT IN THE INTERROGATION SCENE.

To lend more realism to the scene where Dr. Kimble is first questioned by police, Davis had Ford and the other actors do it with only half a script—the cops’ half. Ford, not knowing in advance what the questions would be, had to ad lib responses in character. Naturally, this came across as being defensive and flustered, which was exactly what the situation called for. Acting!

10. IT ENDED UP BEING A RUSH JOB.

Kopelson spent all those years trying to get the project going—and then once it got going, it had to be done fast. Shooting began in February 1993, six months before the scheduled release date. (Warner Bros. really wanted the film by the end of the summer.) The shoot itself was sufficient; it was the pre- and post-production schedules that were shortened. Consequently, instead of having one or two editors and a few assistants, Kopelson had “like, seven editors and 21 assistants working almost around the clock … It was a rather harrowing experience.”

11. A LOT OF EDITORS GOT CREDITED—AND THE ACADEMY WAS OK WITH IT.

Six men ended up being officially credited as the film’s editors: Dennis Virkler, David Finfer, Dean Goodhill, Don Brochu, Richard Nord, and Dov Hoenig. When it received an Oscar nomination for Best Editing, that was the most names that category had ever included. (It’s almost unheard of for any film to have more than three editors, let alone a film that isn’t a disaster.)

12. SCENES HAD TO BE RE-SHOT WHEN AN ACTOR GOT SICK.

Dr. Nichols, the colleague who helps Kimble, was originally played by Richard Jordan. Sadly, Jordan fell ill during the shoot, and had to drop out. (He died a few weeks after the film was released.) When he was replaced by Dutch actor Jeroen Krabbé, a few scenes had to be redone, including one near the beginning, when Kimble still has his beard. Ford had to regrow it, which is why it looks slightly different in Krabbé’s first scene from the way it looks elsewhere.

13. THE DAM SCENE COST $2 MILLION, INCLUDING ABOUT $60,000 FOR DUMMIES.

The maze of tunnels leading to the dam were fake, and built in a Chicago warehouse. The last section of the tunnel—the part that opens over the dam, where Kimble and Gerard have their dramatic confrontation—was actually transported from Chicago to the Cheoah Dam in North Carolina, where it was rigged to look like it belonged there. For the big jump, there were no stuntmen involved. Ford himself (secured by a wire) did the shot where Kimble looks over the edge and considers jumping, and dummies were used for the plunge itself. Six Harrison Ford lookalike dummies were commissioned, each costing somewhere between $7000 and $12,000. They did not survive intact, much to the dismay of their manufacturer, who’d been hoping to re-rent them.

Additional sources:
Director’s DVD commentary

There’s no shortage of sunlight pouring into Egypt each year. Now, inhabitat reports that a village in Bahariya Oasis is putting that excess energy to good use.

The Tayebat Workers Village serves as the west Egypt campus for the solar technology company KarmSolar. The structures that house the base’s 350 occupants are meant to look discreet. Rather than bringing in foreign materials to construct the site, the company decided to use locally sourced sandstone. The choice made for a sustainable building process while creating a look that blends seamlessly with the surrounding desert environment.

The feature that makes the village distinct from any other in Egypt is the integration of solar technology. Photovoltaic solar panels crown the traditional-looking buildings, generating power for residents as well as providing thermal roof protection. The project is just one attempt to utilize the power of the Egyptian desert sun: a $3.5 billion plan to build solar plants in the region was announced earlier this year.

Egypt’s first solar-powered village rises from the desert in Bahariya Oasis https://t.co/BUPxnfZluz pic.twitter.com/YnHPAsdqks

— Sustainable Building (@EcobuildRR) October 11, 2016

Egypt’s first solar-powered village has risen from the desert and provides shelter for 350 people.https://t.co/W6sosjYeKZ pic.twitter.com/BfC5iAj3NG

— Solutions by Saly (@solutionsbysaly) October 11, 2016

[h/t inhabitat]

All images: KarmSolar/Instagram

Know of something you think we should cover? Email us at tips@mentalfloss.com.

From Italy’s cannolis to Mexico’s guacamole, each country’s most renowned cuisine is delightfully unique. Now, you can celebrate international flavors with special map designs that come printed on shirts, totes, and posters. Former lawyer and current writer and designer Jodi Ettenberg created a number of different food maps that pay tribute to the foods found around the world.

“I designed these maps as a loving ode to cuisine, travel and art,” Ettenberg told mental_floss in an email.

Each design is hand-drawn by Ella F. Sanders. So far, the duo has designed maps for Mexico, Italy, Vietnam, Thailand, and Portugal—each in black or white. Ettenberg says she plans to expand to other countries soon. You can check out the whole collection here.

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Cybathlon 2016: Amazing Images from the World’s First Bionic Olympics. Paraplegic compete using state-of-the-art technology to move and communicate.
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I used to have 10 fingers. Then a lovable golden retriever ripped one off.
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9 Gross and Gruesome Goodies for Your Halloween Party. Guests with strong stomachs will be rewarded.

A new study will help justify your seltzer addiction, according to Co.Exist. The sensations of cold bubbles are just more refreshing than warmer, still beverages. Cold, carbonated water is the most effective way to quench thirst, researchers from the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia found in a new study published in PLOS One.

To see what mouth sensations might contribute to people’s perceptions of thirst, the researchers had almost 100 people abstain from both food and drink for 12 hours (most of which was overnight), then drink 13.5 ounces of an “experimental beverage” that was designed to elicit specific sensations. There was still water, carbonated water, water sweetened with sugar, water made astringent (like a cup of tea would be) with grape extract, and water acidified with citric acid; some were cold, and some were room temperature.

The experimenters also had some people drink a menthol solution, creating an artificial sense of coolness. After the test subjects drank all of their assigned beverage, they were given still, room-temperature water to drink freely. The researchers measured how well an experimental beverage quenched thirst by measuring how much water the person wanted to drink afterward.

Acidity, sweetness, and astringency didn’t seem to have an effect on thirst, but temperature and carbonation did. People wanted to drink more after chugging 13.5 ounces of warm water compared to cold water, indicating that the cold sensation quenched thirst better. They also felt less thirsty after drinking room-temperature carbonated water than drinking still water at the same temperature. But cold, carbonated water seemed to be perceived as the best thirst-quencher. People drank less after having cold carbonated water than cold still water.

In a second study, 10 people were asked to estimate the amount of cold, room-temperature, or carbonated water they drank while they couldn’t see or feel the amount of liquid in the cup (or see through the straw). The subjects overestimated the amount of water they drank if the beverage was cold or carbonated. Compared to their estimates for room-temperature water, they estimated that they drank 22 percent more of the cold, carbonated water.

These findings echo a “surprising” takeaway from another recent study, which found that colder beverages quench thirst faster.

This may make you feel justified in reaching for a beer or seltzer when you’re thirsty, but on the flip side, it may mean that you think you’re more hydrated than you are. If you are in real danger of dehydration, it may be better to drink something warm and flat, because while you may feel thirsty for longer, at least your body won’t be misguided into ceasing to drink before it’s ready.

[h/t Co.Exist]

Know of something you think we should cover? Email us at tips@mentalfloss.com.

Scientists say that the Yeti is just a legend—but that hasn’t stopped adventurous cryptozoologists from jetting off to the Himalayan Mountain region in search of the beast, which has been described as a gigantic humanoid covered in shaggy fur. If you’re looking to join them, here’s some equipment you will need to stash in your rucksack before booking a plane ticket to Asia.

1. A TORCH

The Yeti is reportedly unafraid of weapons, but a torch will keep him at bay. (Plus, many people believe the creature to be peaceful, so you want to avoid hurting him unless proven otherwise.) It’s also handy to have an additional light source on hand during an outdoor expedition—especially one that keeps you warm while hiking the snowy peaks bordering Nepal, India, and Tibet.

2. A CAMERA TRAP

The Sherpa people say that the Yeti will only show itself to those who believe in its existence. If you’re still on the fence (or simply want to capture it lumbering unaware through its natural habitat), bring along a camera trap—a remotely activated camera that’s activated by infrared sensor when it detects body heat or movement. Scientists hide them in remote areas to obtain videos and pictures of rare species. Simply leave the camera trap outside, wait a few days (or even weeks), and review the footage. If you spot a muscular, 6-foot-tall creature covered in dark grey or reddish-brown hair, congratulations! You’ve spotted the Yeti—or discovered a new bear species.

3. FOOD (FOR BOTH YOU AND THE YETI)

The Nepalese believe that Yetis eat yaks or sheep, so the creature might be lured to your campsite if you leave out some meat. And since you’ll be burning plenty of calories while trekking through the snow, make sure to pack hearty nonperishables like energy bars, trail mix, dried fruit, nuts, and cheese. And don’t forget sports drinks, which will replenish your energy levels with minerals and electrolytes.

4. MEASURING TAPE

Throughout the decades, several explorers claim to have spotted mysterious sets of footprints that appeared to have been made by an ape-like creature. If you encounter any tracks in the snow, whip out a measuring tape and record their size. If they’re anywhere between 12 and 14 inches long, they could be the Yeti’s.

5. SPELUNKING GEAR

Many people believe that the Yeti spends time in mountain caves. If you’re going to engage in an impromptu spelunking adventure, be sure to stay safe by packing a helmet with a headlamp, along with other forms of protection.

6. A TENT

According to Nepalese folklore, the Yeti is nocturnal, which means you’re not going to spot him sitting top of a mountain, basking in a sunbeam mid-day. Your best bet is to camp out and search for him at night. Pack a mountaineering tent (also known as a”4-season tent”) to shield you from altitude chill, as well as a zero-degree down sleeping bag, as temperatures can dip well below zero after dark.

7. AN OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT PERMIT

The rules may be slightly different today, but during the late 1950s, American diplomats in Kathmandu took rumors about the Yeti seriously enough to issue official regulations for its capture. (They were likely also looking to make easy money off hunters.) If you wanted to pursue the mythical beast, you had to pay the Nepalese government $77 for a permit. You were also prohibited from killing any Yetis (although exceptions were made for instances of self defense). Photographs were fine, but all images—and captured ape-men—had to be handed over to Nepali officials. Finally, you were not allowed to alert the media about your discovery. So before you go off searching for the Yeti, make sure to check in with national government figures to see if you need to buy a license or fill out any permission-granting paperwork.

Join the search for the Yeti with host Josh Gates on Expedition Unknown: Hunt for the Yeti, tonight at 9/8c only on Travel Channel.

English has a number of prefixes that come from the concept of “half.” Why do we have so many? And what’s the difference between them?

1. SEMI

Semi-, from the Latin for “half,” is the most common and the earliest to show up in English. It was first used, with the straight sense of “half,” in the word semicircular, but soon attached to concepts that were harder to quantify. It’s easy to see what a half circle looks like, but what amount of “abstract” is “semi-abstract”? How permanent is “semi-permanent”? Through these less concrete uses, which proliferated wildly in the 1800s, semi- came to mean “virtually” or “somewhat.”

2. HEMI

Hemi- is from the Greek for “half.” It is less common than semi-, and it is associated more strongly with technical language in fields like chemistry, biology, and anatomy. Its sense of “half,” more than semi-, implies a lengthwise axis of symmetry. This is not obvious for the most common hemi- word, hemisphere (since a sphere is symmetrical all the way around), but a hemicylinder, is not just half a cylinder, it’s the half cut lengthwise, and hemiplegic doesn’t just mean half the body is paralyzed, but the right or left half (paraplegic is the term for when only the lower half is paralyzed).

3. DEMI

Demi is from the French for “half.” It was first used in English in heraldry, where things like demi-angels, demi-lions, demi-horses show up. It also held sway in other specific domains, such as military (demi-brigade) and fashion (demi-cap, demi-lustre, demi-worsted). It also picked up the sense of “virtual” or even “lesser.” A demigod, after all, is not quite the real thing.

It might seem ridiculous that English had to borrow a “half” prefix from three different places, but if it didn’t we wouldn’t get to have a word like hemidemisemiquaver—that’s a 64th note, in other words, a half of a half of a half of an eighth note, which is so much less fun to say than hemidemisemiquaver.