Are you fascinated by the chaos that ensues when priceless exhibits meet their untimely end? This collection of films will take you on a rollercoaster ride through museums, galleries, and exhibitions where things go spectacularly wrong. From heists gone awry to supernatural forces wreaking havoc, these films showcase the destruction of art and artifacts in ways that are both thrilling and, at times, heartbreaking. Whether you're an art lover or just enjoy a good bit of cinematic mayhem, this list promises to entertain and perhaps even make you appreciate the fragility of beauty.
The Ghost and the Darkness (1996)
Description: While primarily about man-eating lions, the film includes scenes where the lions wreak havoc on a construction site, damaging artifacts and exhibits meant for a museum.
Fact: The film was based on true events, and the lions were portrayed by animatronics and CGI.
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The Mummy (1999)
Description: This action-adventure film features ancient Egyptian artifacts being disturbed, leading to supernatural events that cause destruction to both modern and ancient exhibits.
Fact: The film was a box office hit, spawning a franchise, and the mummy's curse was inspired by real-life myths.
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The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)
Description: This stylish heist film features a plot where a billionaire art thief, Thomas Crown, orchestrates the theft of a priceless Monet painting, leading to its dramatic destruction during a high-stakes game of cat and mouse with an insurance investigator.
Fact: The film was a remake of the 1968 classic, and the painting used in the film was a replica created specifically for the movie.
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The Da Vinci Code (2006)
Description: In this mystery thriller, a symbologist and a cryptologist race to solve a murder mystery linked to a secret society, with several artworks and historical artifacts being damaged or destroyed in the process.
Fact: The film was shot in various locations, including the Louvre Museum, where scenes of art destruction were carefully staged.
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The Pink Panther (2006)
Description: In this comedy, a bumbling detective is tasked with retrieving the stolen Pink Panther diamond, leading to a series of comedic mishaps and the destruction of some exhibits.
Fact: The film is a reboot of the classic series, and the diamond is a fictional creation for the movie.
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Night at the Museum (2006)
Description: While not directly about the destruction of exhibits, this family comedy sees chaos erupt in the museum when exhibits come to life, leading to some unintentional damage to artifacts in the pursuit of adventure and fun.
Fact: The film was based on a children's book by Milan Trenc, and the animatronic dinosaur was operated by a team of puppeteers.
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The Art of the Steal (2013)
Description: A group of thieves plan an elaborate heist to steal a priceless book, with the action leading to the destruction of some exhibits in their path.
Fact: The film was shot in Philadelphia, and the heist scenes were meticulously planned to avoid damaging real artifacts.
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The Monuments Men (2014)
Description: This war drama follows a group of art historians and curators tasked with rescuing art stolen by Nazis, with scenes depicting the destruction of some artworks to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.
Fact: The film was inspired by real events, and the actual Monuments Men were instrumental in saving countless pieces of art.
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The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
Description: Wes Anderson's whimsical tale includes a subplot where a priceless painting, "Boy with Apple," becomes central to a series of thefts and subsequent destruction, highlighting the absurdity of art's value.
Fact: The film's art department created over 400 pieces of artwork for the movie, including the iconic "Boy with Apple."
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The Relic (1997)
Description: This horror film involves a museum exhibit that inadvertently brings a deadly creature to life, leading to the destruction of exhibits as it hunts for prey.
Fact: The creature was designed by Stan Winston, famous for his work on "Jurassic Park."
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