Top 10 Behind the Scenes Facts About Trainspotting | 30th Anniversary

#10: John Hodge’s Experience

Before adapting Irvine Welsh’s debut novel, John Hodge worked as a doctor in Edinburgh. His extensive knowledge of the effects of narcotics and withdrawal brought a grim authenticity to the screenplay for “Trainspotting.” He even added some set pieces to Welsh’s episodic narrative based on personal accounts. The novelist initially questioned if his culturally and structurally particular portrait of modern Scotland could work as a film. But this kind of commitment to tackling its darkest subculture convinced him to largely step away from the adaptation process. He did give his blessing by appearing in the film as the dealer Mikey Forrester, following Hodge’s cameo as a security guard in the opening chase sequence.

#9: Begbie’s Big Secret

In a 2009 interview for BAFTA’s website, Robert Carlyle revealed that he built his performance as Franco Begbie around a private backstory. He believed that the character’s volatile alpha-male persona stemmed from struggles with his secret homosexuality. Remarkably, Irvine Welsh responded in an interview with The Times that this is how he conceived Begbie in the book. He even further explored the toxic insecurity in the 2002 sequel without ever officially outing Begbie. This revelation still added a new layer of tragedy to this imposing antagonist and what he represented in a hypermasculine culture. With instincts that keen, it's no wonder Carlyle received BAFTA Scotland nominations for both “Trainspotting” and its original sequel.

#8: Miller, Jonny Lee Miller

“Trainspotting” was noted for its dedication to casting Scottish actors, save for one Englishman. Jonny Lee Miller’s name was floated out there after he showcased his accent skills in the American thriller “Hackers.” A pitch-perfect Sean Connery impression during the audition sealed the deal. Miller then went full method, keeping up Simon “Sick Boy” Williamson’s accent between takes and during outings in Glasgow. A few confidants supposedly supported this façade until Miller surprised several attendees at the wrap party with his real voice. What's most impressive is that he did it all with no dialect coach. He did, however, use one for “T2,” which Ewan McGregor crudely joked was due to Miller quitting drinking.

#7: McGregor’s Method

The breakout star of “Shallow Grave” was so confident that he’d be in Danny Boyle’s follow-up that he shaved his head for the role before it was offered. Sure enough, Ewan McGregor was the first choice to play Mark “Rent Boy” Renton. Then came the hard work. The actor lost nearly 13 kilos in two months to portray heroin dependency, and even contemplated using the dangerous drug to understand its effects. He instead stuck to extensive research that involved visiting the Calton Athletic Recovery Group, where patients taught him how to cook heroin. McGregor was as dedicated to authenticity as his health would allow. This paid off with a BAFTA Scotland Award for the performance that made him a legend.

#6: “A Clockwork Orange”

It's not hard to spot one key influence on Danny Boyle’s stylish and darkly humored narration on moral decay in British society. “A Clockwork Orange” was among the films screened for the cast of “Trainspotting” as education. Still, audiences might have missed the ingenious Easter eggs in the design of the Volcano nightclub scene. The white sculptures, lighting and writing on the walls reference the Korova Milk Bar in Stanley Kubrick’s controversial masterpiece. All the while, the sound system blasts “Temptation” by Heaven 17, who named themselves after a fictional pop band in Anthony Burgess’s original novel. It looks as though “A Clockwork Orange” had a lingering influence on British youth culture after all.

#5: The Worst Toilet in Scotland

Renton’s bathroom emergency during a comedown leads to one of the film’s most infamous sequences. A whimsical underwater fantasy doesn't quite take audiences out of the fact that he's fishing around the “Worst Toilet in Scotland” to save opioid suppositories. But maybe there's comfort in knowing that the set was actually coated in chocolate. This reportedly sweet-smelling scene had to have been less challenging than shooting Renton’s lagoon daydream in a swimming pool in Glasgow. Danny Boyle just had to round out his homage to the toilet scene in the Thomas Pynchon novel “Gravity’s Rainbow.” Who would have thought that such a disgusting set piece would have such an elevated and appetizing backstory?

#4: Where’s Tommy?

You may have noticed a glaring absence from the iconic character posters for “Trainspotting.” The initially clean-living footballer Tommy Mackenzie has the most tragic arc in the whole bleak affair. But while actor Kevin McKidd went to Tunisia on holiday straight after production wrapped, the cast photoshoot for promotional materials was hastily arranged. Thus, Tommy would be the only principal character not featured on “Trainspotting’s” posters and video covers. McKidd never received an explanation on why he was cut from this permanent art installation on dorm room walls. So while the world enjoys his incredible performance, he says that the classic film is “tainted” for him by the lack of closure to his hard work.

#3: The Soundtrack

How could a film with this low of a budget afford one of the great soundtracks of the 1990s? They certainly couldn’t afford to use David Bowie’s “Golden Years.” Still, the music icon was such a fan of Irvine Welsh’s novel and Danny Boyle’s “Shallow Grave” that he recommended Iggy Pop’s “Lust for Life.” This leverage opened doors to some major artists. And Bobby Gillespie was so moved by a test screening of “Trainspotting” that Primal Scream donated the titular theme song. Many more contributors would enjoy a solid return on their investment as the two-volume soundtrack album blew up the charts. With Bowie helping to make that possible, “T2” pays its respect with a scene of Renton going through his albums.

#2: American Distribution

“Trainspotting” had grossed around eight times its budget in the UK by the time it came to the U.S. And yet, local distributor Miramax Films was concerned that the subject matter and thick accents would alienate audiences. Thus, the actors dubbed the first 20 minutes of dialogue with softened accents to help American ears adjust. The sexual content was also trimmed to avoid the MPAA rating of NC-17. And still, “Trainspotting” performed below expectations across the pond. It didn’t help that Senator Bob Dole claimed that the film glorified heroin, despite having not seen it. Thankfully, the uncut version has become a cult classic in the States along with the rest of the world.

#1: Production Difficulties and Triumph

“Trainspotting” was shot in 35 days with a budget of £1.5 million. Director Danny Boyle and company had to get creative. They saved money by mostly filming Glasgow for Edinburgh. The long summer days required careful scheduling for night shoots after 11 p.m. And most of the scenes were shot in a single take, with elaborate set pieces requiring improvisation. The filmmakers effectively hid their modest means, but then there was the matter of marketing. PolyGram Filmed Entertainment gambled a then-unprecedented £800,000 promotion budget as a sign of faith in the project. The result was a massive commercial and critical hit that made stars of its entire team. Three decades and a hit sequel later, “Trainspotting” remains an important underdog story.

What’s your favorite bit of behind-the-scenes trivia for “Trainspotting?” Serve up your favorite dish in the comments.