Linda Kozlowski, best known for her role as Sue Charlton in the beloved Crocodile Dundee films, stunned audiences in one particular scene that has long been shrouded in mystery. Over the years, fans have speculated about various behind-the-scenes moments of the film, but one particular sequence involving Kozlowski caught everyone by surprise – no one suspected that this scene was real.
In the iconic 1986 film Crocodile Dundee, there’s a moment when Sue Charlton, a journalist, faces a harrowing situation during an encounter with wild animals. The scene, which involves her being placed in a dangerous scenario with a crocodile, had viewers on the edge of their seats. For many, it was a pivotal moment that added intensity to the film, but what audiences didn't know was that a part of the scene was completely unscripted, and Linda Kozlowski’s fear was very real.
The sequence in question took place when Sue finds herself near a crocodile in an Australian outback setting. While most of the dangerous action sequences in movies are carefully choreographed with special effects, this particular scene had an element of unpredictability that wasn't part of the plan. According to Kozlowski, the moment when the crocodile lunges towards her was not scripted, and her genuine fear was palpable. "I had no idea what was going to happen," Linda revealed in a retrospective interview about the film years later. "The crocodile was much more aggressive than we expected."
The scene was shot with minimal special effects, relying heavily on a real crocodile to create the danger. While film crews typically use trained animals for such sequences, it turned out that this particular crocodile had its own temperament, and the situation became more intense than anyone had anticipated. As the camera rolled, Linda’s startled reactions were not a product of acting alone – they were a combination of her skillful portrayal of fear and the real danger that she found herself in.
The crocodile, which was supposed to be docile for the scene, unexpectedly charged at Linda, forcing her to react instinctively. As it lunged toward her, Kozlowski, in an attempt to get out of harm’s way, genuinely stumbled back in fear, with the on-screen reaction coming across as completely authentic. The moment was so convincing that many fans of the movie didn't realize the level of risk Linda was facing during filming. The camera kept rolling as Linda, caught in the moment, struggled to maintain control of her emotions while the croc’s movements got closer and closer.
What’s even more impressive is that Linda Kozlowski’s professionalism never wavered. Instead of immediately cutting the scene or demanding a pause for safety, she pushed through the moment, delivering a tense and real performance. The scene was later edited to give it the heightened drama and suspense that helped solidify Crocodile Dundee as one of the most iconic action-comedy films of the 1980s.