The Tragic Inspiration Behind The Iron Giant: Gun Violence and Human Choices

The animated film The Iron Giant is more than just a thrilling tale of a giant robot protecting a small town from impending doom. Its story is deeply woven with themes of human empathy, the consequences of reckless actions, and the moral choices that define us. The film’s director, Brad Bird, has revealed that the true inspiration for the movie stems from a personal tragedy in his life, highlighting the film’s profound impact on both its creator and its audience.

The Making of The Iron Giant

The Iron Giant started as a concept for a stage musical in the 1980s by Pete Townsend of The Who. The story was based on a science fiction novel by Ted Hughes, The Iron Man. The original book portrayed the story of a giant metallic creature that saves the world from a dragon of cosmic origin. However, when Brad Bird took on the project, he transformed it into a new direction, setting it in the 1950s America and emphasizing a different theme. Bird's version of the story not only includes supporting protagonist Dean and an antagonistic character Kent but also deeply explores the moral complexities of their actions.

The Theme of The Iron Giant

According to Brad Bird, the true theme of The Iron Giant was inspired by a personal tragedy. The film is a poignant reflection on gun violence and its far-reaching consequences. In an interview for the 2016 documentary The Giant's Dream: The Making Of The Iron Giant, Bird shared that the death of his sister due to gun violence served as a catalyst for the story's themes. He observed:

My sister Susan, who I love very much and was very close to, died of gun violence. Pointlessly, she was killed by her husband. I was devastated. When you shoot somebody, you're not just killing that person; you're killing a part of all the people that love that person.

This personal experience drove Bird to explore the idea of a gun having a soul that does not want to be a gun. The theme of the film challenges the idea of gun violence and human moral choices, emphasizing that even if one is raised or made in a certain way, they have the ability to make conscious decisions between right and wrong:

What if a gun had a soul and didn't want to be a gun? I wasn't thinking consciously about it when I proposed the idea, but my feelings about [gun violence] are in the film and it's dedicated to [my sister] at the end.

The Original Source Material

Interestingly, the original source material for the book, The Iron Man, also had its roots in tragedy. Author Ted Hughes wrote the story as a way to comfort his children after his wife Sylvia Plath committed suicide. The metaphor of the title character being able to reassemble itself after being damaged helped his children cope with their grief. Similarly, Bird's film was dedicated to both Hughes and his sister, serving as a tributary to their memories and a reflection on the ripple effects of personal tragedy.

Reflections on the Film

The Iron Giant remains a thought-provoking piece of work, showcasing the intersection of science fiction and the real-world issues that shape our lives. The film serves as both a warning and a call to action, encouraging viewers to reflect on human nature, empathy, and the consequences of our actions.

Additional Insights

If you are interested in more such discussions and screenwriting insights, please follow The Tao of Screenwriting. Whether you are a screenwriter, aspiring filmmaker, or a cinema enthusiast, there is always something new to learn and explore. Join us for regular updates and engage with our community!

Conclusion

The The Iron Giant is a powerful blend of myth, science fiction, and poignant personal narrative, inspiring us to reconsider the choices we make as individuals and as a society. It reminds us of the enduring impact of human empathy and the consequences of our actions.