Jurassic Park: Right from the start of the movie, this subtle detail shows that John Hammond doesn’t know what he’s doing

When Steven Spielberg was casting for Jurassic Park, he had a clear idea of ​​who should play John Hammond: a screen legend who hadn’t appeared on film in 14 years, following his work in The Hostage War (1979). But Richard Attenborough did not want to return to the screen so easily and, although the role was pleasant, he doubted that it was worth it.

“I don’t see how I can hire anyone for Jurassic Park unless John Hammond is the actor. It is the main role and no one else can play it but youSpielberg told him and begged him. He had no choice but to agree.

Mr. Hammond, what are you doing?

By this time, the actor had turned to directing and, indeed, Chaplin (1992), his biopic about the famous comedian, starring Robert Downey Jr. Steven Spielberg He didn’t want to get in her way and even offered to shoot in the free time left by filming. And Attenborough couldn’t help but comment on his colleague: “He is beautiful, brilliant, he is a genius“. And that genius is evident in the little details that we might miss while watching, even so many times. Jurassic Park.

However, we can tell this from the beginning of the movie: John Hammond doesn’t have the slightest idea how to run his own park. From the simple idea of ​​paying employees to more security, he becomes (almost) the real villain of the film. And to illustrate this point and show that he doesn’t know what he’s doing, Spielberg decided to be very subtle: in the scene where he serves champagne to Ellie (Laura Dern) and Grant (Sam Neill) and despite the glasses of champagne. Perfectly visible in the kitchen and out of reach, the park owner decides to serve spirits in whiskey glasses!

And no, it’s not a minor detail: the famous flutes were designed to carbonate the champagne, but Hammond is so rich and so used to service that he ignores it – or doesn’t care! The most advanced theory is simply that he didn’t know what he was doing, like running an amusement park full of prehistoric animals, some of which are ready to be devoured, giving the character a naive and sincere side on the one hand, and of course being overly kind and idealistic on the other.

The first two Jurassic Parks can still be seen streaming on Prime Video. Head over to VOD for part three.