The Making of “Civil War”: Behind the Scenes of the Explosive Ending
In a recent interview, director Alex Garland revealed the intricate process behind the explosive ending of his latest film, “Civil War.” The film culminates in a dramatic siege on the White House, with rebel forces laying siege to the iconic building and cornering the president.
Garland explained that the idea for the film was reverse engineered from the ending, with the final moments driving the entire script. The intense 20-minute sequence, which includes the destruction of the Lincoln Memorial, was designed to evoke a sense of aversion and dismay in the audience.
To bring this vision to life, the production team faced numerous challenges, including digitally recreating Washington, D.C., shooting on sets in Atlanta, and executing detailed choreography akin to “football plays.” The team meticulously mapped out the route of the invasion, from the Lincoln Memorial to the White House, before constructing sets in a parking lot in Stone Mountain, Georgia.
The production designer, Caty Maxey, emphasized the importance of neutrality in recreating the White House, aiming to replicate the objectivity of the journalist protagonists. Visual effects supervisor David Simpson painstakingly created a digital version of Washington as a war zone, ensuring every detail felt authentic.
Director Garland shot the film chronologically, building anticipation as the production approached the climactic Washington sequence. Cinematographer Rob Hardy sought to immerse the audience in the action, capturing the chaos and intensity of the assault on the nation’s capital.
Despite the nightmarish nature of the film’s events, Hardy described the experience as “balletic,” highlighting the precision and coordination that went into creating the explosive finale. The result is a visually stunning and emotionally impactful conclusion that leaves a lasting impression on audiences.
