MovieChat Forums > Fortress (1986) Discussion > What happened to Leanne?

What happened to Leanne?

posted 18 years ago by blainefielding
29 replies | jump to latest

For trivia fans of this movie there is an interesting question about the disappearance of Leanne during the scene where Sally and the kids escape the cave by swimming out. Leanne, the second oldest girl {played by the actress Beth Buchanan}, is totally absent, and no explanation is given. You see her dancing with Sue in the cave before and she emerges into daylight with the other 8 kids and Sally after they all swim to safety. But she is not there with they all organize the escape in the cave.

You see Sally and the other 8 on the water's edge and each swimming underwater. All except Leanne.

Several explanations come to mind. Perhaps she was too modest to appear in her underwear. Or perhaps she was ill when the scene was shot. Or perhaps she couldn't swim.

Anyone else have an idea?

Blaine in Seattle

[–] Promontorium 14 years ago

After watching thIs movie on DVD I came here and read this so I went back, I clearly saw her on the starting side of the pool, in the background. She is briefly visible at times until the second to last trip (where that little boy jumps in with two bags), where she disappears into editing and isn't seen again until they are out of the cave.

[–] bisho4 14 years ago

You may be right about the 'modesty' reason. At the time the movie was made, the young actress Beth Buchanan was already a household name in Australian television, and was quite famous for her age. Further, she belonged to a famous acting family, with her older sister Simone and brother Miles, who were more famous than her.
I could assume that most involved in the making of the movie could see her becoming more famous as she got older and were attempting to limit her 'exposure' (pardon the pun) by showing a potential future 'star' in her underwear whilst a preteen.
Also, it is quite likely that her 'people' had the weight or power to enforce a "no-underwear" scene in her movie, unlike the other lesser known children.
Of course Rebecca Rigg became quite famous later in her own right (see her filmography) and also married Simon Baker (The Mentalist). Another of the kids in the movie Asher Keddie, also became quite famous on Australian TV when she was older, and both are probably quite embarrassed about these scenes in their underwear when they were children.

[–] mano_mania 13 years ago

Perhaps the actress who played the character just does not know how to swim...

[–] Burningtime617 11 years ago

If you move your face closer to the television you can clearly hear her wife on the phone. She hit on a scratch ticket and took off to Florida. Can you believe that *beep* I told you! I TOLD YOU GORDON. Look, call Eddie Furlong and see if he's still available...what...why are you looking at me like that. WE ALL HEARD HER!

[–] Patrick4949 8 years ago

Extrememly odd post but for anyone watching and curious all the kids are there. I have it paused right now at 41:10 and see them. Toby (1) is already across. Then three smaller kids (2,3,4) are standing there looking down at the teacher in the water. Then the oldest girl (5). There is another girl seen but she is kinda behinfd the red bag (6). Then theres a boy going into the red bag (7) and another behind him (8). Then the final girl is somewhat skewed by the flames but shes there (9).