Stanley Kubrick’s “Eyes Wide Shut” was one of the most memorable films of the late 1990s, and it was also the final film by the renowned and controversial director.

Kubrick was known for being strict with the actors he worked with, and he was no different with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman who starred in “Eyes Wide Shut”.

The film was an erotic psychological drama based on the 1926 novella “Traumnovelle” or “Dream Story”, and it pushed the boundaries of conventional filmmaking.

The director imposed strict rules on Cruise and Kidman, who were married at the time, to maintain the theme of physical and psychological alienation between their characters.

He directed them separately, and each was given their own set of notes that they couldn’t share.

This resulted in Kidman filming six days worth of sex scenes with another actor in 50 different sexual positions, and she was forbidden to discuss the process with Cruise.

The long 46-week filming schedule took a toll on both actors, but it was a testament to Kubrick’s enduring legacy as a filmmaker.

Kubrick’s legacy in the film industry is one of aggressively pushing the envelope, and his works have been firmly cemented into film history.

He was an infamous perfectionist who micromanaged nearly every aspect of the production process.

Some of his most memorable films include “A Clockwork Orange” (1971), “2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968), and “The Shining” (1980).

Despite the controversies surrounding his methods, Kubrick’s intense dedication to his craft is revered by many in the industry, who believe that it was a necessity no matter the cost.

For example, “The Shining” is now considered a household name, and it’s preserved in the Library of Congress’s archive of impactful films.

However, it received virtually no awards, was panned by Stephen King, and was criticized for Kubrick’s treatment of cast and crew, particularly Shelley Duvall.

Duvall was forced to reshoot the “staircase scene” with Nicholson over 100 times, reportedly to mentally break her for the best take possible.

Nevertheless, Kubrick’s methods were a necessary part of his intense dedication to his craft.