The Harrison Ford Thriller Classic You Can Visit Today
If you’re a fan of Harrison Ford’s thriller The Fugitive, you can check out the remnants of one of the movie’s most iconic real-life scenes. In the Great Smoky Mountains, you can find the leftovers from the crash sequence where a train runs into Richard Kimble’s (Ford) transport bus. The wreck is still sitting there, ready for anyone interested to visit.
The Bus Crash Was Real
This particular scene from Harrison Ford’s The Fugitive was shot using practical effects. It was about as practical as you can get, as they literally allowed a bus to be hit by a real freight train, which is why the scene is so bombastic and realistic on-screen. The bus was demolished and the train (by design) went off the rails.
Visit The Location Today
Now, if you visit the scene, you’ll see the rusted carcass of the train that has the “Illinois Southern” logo on it, along with the bus that was painted over to look like a corrections transport bus. It’s a must-see if you’re ever in the area and are a fan of Harrison Ford and The Fugitive. Even if you’re not a big fan, it’s still cool to see the wreckage from an expensive movie stunt amongst the beauty of a National Park.
A Word Of Warning
Here are some tips if you plan to see this piece of Harrison Ford movie history. Those who want to visit the site of The Fugitive scene will need to buy tickets to see it legally, as trying to get up close yourself would be trespassing. Instead, you can buy tickets for the Tuckasegee River train ride excursion that runs from Bryson City to Dillsboro.
Alternatively, you can park near Jackson County Green Energy Park on Haywood Road and look across the street to see the wreck, though make sure to avoid going to the part that is private property. Of course, you can make your trip that much better by watching Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones in The Fugitive beforehand. The movie is well worth the watch if you haven’t seen it before.
The Fugitive Was A Smash Hit
Harrison Ford stars in The Fugitive as Richard Kimble, a man who is accused of murdering his wife and attempts to find her killer after his escape. Hot on his heels is Deputy Samuel Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones) and his team of US Marshals. The film was directed by Andrew Davis with a script co-written by Jeb Stuart and David Twohy based on the TV series of the same name.
Tommy Lee Jones Award-Winning Performance
The Fugitive was a massive critical and commercial success upon its release and is widely considered one of the best films of both Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones’ careers. It brought in a massive box office haul of $370 million worldwide against a budget of $44 million and was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Jones also won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
The Spin-Off With Robert Downey Jr.
Tommy Lee Jones would end up reprising his role in the spin-off US Marshals. Harrison Ford didn’t return for The Fugitive spin-off, but it’s a decent film and worth checking out if you’re a fan of the original. When you’re done watching both, make sure to plan a trip to the Smoky Mountains to see the wreckage.
