Denzel Washington On Getting Waterboarded During 'Safe House: 'It's Strange; You Can't Breathe In'

In "Training Day," star Denzel Washington's character, Alonzo, tells Ethan Hawke's Jake, "You gotta decide whether you're a wolf or a sheep." As if Denzel's status in the former category was ever questionable, fans can now definitively say the Oscar-winning actor is a wolf after his recent admission.

In a conversation with Vulture, Washington said he was waterboarded during the filming of his upcoming action-drama, "Safe House."

"I wanted to see what it would be like. It's strange. You can't breathe in, because the water comes in, and it's filling up your mouth," said Washington. "And that was just one time for a short time. Imagine having that done for 20, 30 seconds? You will give up the answers! You may not necessarily tell the truth, but you will tell [your captors] whatever they want to hear."

Although Washington was quick to volunteer, it didn't leave his director, Daniel Espinosa, feeling anymore at ease.

"I was terrified, but I let him go and I had to watch him do it. He went all out for this movie. I would definitely not like to be waterboarded. It was intense. Disturbing. I had sympathetic pain. I always get sympathetic pain. I wish I didn't. I felt like I was drowning."

Co-star Ryan Reynolds agreed, telling press recently that Washington's waterboarding was terrifying to watch.

"That was the most disturbing thing I think I’d ever seen, watching him be waterboarded," Reynolds said.

Waterboarding wasn't the only first Washington experienced on the set of "Safe House." During a fight scene with Reynolds, the Oscar-winning star received a black eye.

"I tried to make him feel bad about it," Washington said about the aftermath of one of Reynolds's errant punches. "I was like, 'What the!' I've never had a black eye in my life, but I can't say that anymore."

You can watch the infamous waterboarding scene -- as well as the part where Denzel gets a shiner -- when "Safe House" hits theaters this Friday.

[via Vulture]

Comments

[Demil LeRoy]

03:27 PM on 02/15/2012

I saw the movie " SAFE HOUSE " it was non-stop action...love it...
Ryan Reynolds gave up some good fight scenes and Denzel was cold blooded...
OMG Denzel Denzel Denzel...never disappoints me...
I just love to see the brother walk and I want to see a movie with that GLORY one tear again...LOL

[jrx238]

12:07 PM on 02/12/2012

Denzel is the epitome of a BAMFILF

[Southern law girl]

11:58 AM on 02/11/2012

"You will give up the answers! You may not necessarily tell the truth, but you will tell [your captors] whatever they want to hear."" This is the reason torture, as well as being cruel and utterly inhuman, is an absolute waste of time, evidence gathered by torture is not proof, because that proof has been tampered with by inhuman treatment, and should always be inadmissible evidence, for the simple reason it is unreliable. I think this actor was very brave to extend the research for his film this far, but I suppose it enables him to live out his part to its optimum potential.

[Sistagirl Young]

10:22 AM on 02/11/2012

I cannot and do not wanna image what that experience had to have been like. Taks a lot of courage to do somethin' like that. Personally, I couldn't do it due to religious beliefs. I'm a devout coward. Life.

[ZC1968]

05:36 PM on 02/10/2012

He is one hella man and actor!!! Love Denzel.

[Redhunteur]

05:03 AM on 02/10/2012

My only experience is from viewing Christopher Hitchens' session with it. In that case, he was psyched for it and was offered unlimited support and assurance from those doing it and yet it is over in almost no time because it was so horrible. It's very disturbing to realize how powerful that technique is in causing stress and terror. I can't imagine being at the receiving end of it in an actual interogation situation and not have saftey measure that will end it whenever one had enough.

Here's the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LPubUCJv58

[Absolute]

04:18 AM on 02/10/2012

Who waterboarded my husband? Where are they? Let me at 'em!

[Sistagirl Young]

10:15 AM on 02/11/2012

Hello Absolute; Sho' ya right. You hit 'em low; I'll hit 'em high. Ain't no way. If someone even mentioned water-boardin I'd sang betta than Aretha. "Don't Start Me Talkin' I'll Tell Everythang I Know. And that's the truth. Gotta see this movie. Talk about for the sake of your craft. I admire him. Know I wouldna done it. For no amount of money. But then I ain't Brotha Denzel. Life.

[Libertynjustice4all]

12:42 AM on 02/10/2012

I read a few comments on this blog stating that he's a Republican... is he really?

Don't get me wrong it's obviously his prerogative to support the party and policies of his choice, but I never pictured him as a Republican.

[Absolute]

04:17 AM on 02/10/2012

No, he is not.

[Libertynjustice4all]

07:50 AM on 02/10/2012

Thank you for responding -:)

[Gaaltero]

10:44 PM on 02/10/2012

I wanna know if he's a Democrat or sold out.

[LizLemonsbrother]

12:11 AM on 02/10/2012

Is there a more attractive, classy, sexy man? No, I didn't think so.

[Sistagirl Young]

10:17 AM on 02/11/2012

Hello LizLemonsbrother; I'd have to say my baby brother. But y'all don't know him. More's the pity. Life.

[Gaaltero]

07:23 PM on 02/09/2012

F-that sell-out.

[Absolute]

04:26 AM on 02/10/2012

How exactly is he a sell-out? Don't tell me you believe that BS about him being a republican.

[Gaaltero]

10:06 PM on 02/10/2012

I googled it. If you got a link, I'll change my mind.

[gwj2000]

10:20 AM on 02/12/2012

Go back and get the video of him on Letterman in which he had his inaugural seat occupied by someone for a number of hours beforehand. He also talked about how long he stayed out in the cold for his seat himself.

To add, he spoke with pride of the President and the Inaugural. Ball he attended.

[skye12]

06:51 PM on 02/09/2012

I wish W, Rove and Cheney would volunteer to be waterboarded. I'm assured
it's not torture.

[omobob]

04:00 PM on 02/09/2012

> "you will tell [your captors] whatever they want to hear."

torture (enhanced interrogation) is the lowest and least reliable form of gathering intel.

[signgrrl]

04:32 PM on 02/09/2012

yep.

[omobob]

05:09 PM on 02/09/2012

Well said. lol, faved. cheers

[ElBruce]

10:17 PM on 02/09/2012

Only if you define "intel" as "whatever you want to hear."

The truth is another matter entirely.

[tiaw578]

03:26 PM on 02/09/2012

He's well known for being a method actor so I'm not surprised he did this. I'm not as disturbed by this as I was by Christopher Reeve having his ventilator disconnected for a scene in a remake of "Rear Window".

[signgrrl]

04:41 PM on 02/09/2012

yikes !

[Helena Williamstom]

03:26 PM on 02/09/2012

I can not wait to see this film!!!!!!

[Adonijah]

01:59 PM on 02/09/2012

Three words:

Fine behind Denzel!!!!