At 77, Robert Redford Shows Incredible Bravery in Grueling Role!

Robert Redford suffered partial deafness after being repeatedly blasted with high-pressure water jets during the filming of “All Is Lost.” Premiering at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2013, the movie heavily depends on his portrayal of a lone sailor stranded in the middle of the Indian Ocean, struggling to survive on a severely damaged sailboat without a radio or navigation tools.

The physically demanding role did not come without its tolls. In an interview with the New York Times (via The Irish Independent), Redford revealed he lost 60% of his hearing in his left ear due to an infection during the shoot.

Unwavering Commitment to Authenticity

Much of the film was shot in the vast water tanks in Mexico constructed by James Cameron for “Titanic.” Initially, some scenes were to be done by stunt doubles. However, once on set, the star changed his mind.

He stated, “I got to the set, and naturally, my ego kicked in. I started saying, ‘I think I can try this. Let’s see what I can do.’ And I realized these actions were crucial to the character and that the film would benefit from [director] J.C. Chandor not having to cut away and edit around them.“

This decision exposed him to particularly harsh filming conditions. Redford described a controlled yet intentionally chaotic environment: “They really beat me up. There were waves, wind, rain machines, and a crew member with a giant hose splashing water directly at my head.” This total immersion led to the infection that caused his hearing loss.

He humorously concluded, “I was exhausted from being drenched and had no choice but to stay dry at night. So, I opted for tequila.“

Despite the incident, the team felt deeply responsible. Yet, Robert Redford, who was 77 at the time, faced the challenge with remarkable calmness. This reaction is a testament to an actor who passed away last September at the age of 89.

All Is Lost is available to rediscover on VOD.

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