Seeing The Unseen: A History Of Thermal Optics In Cinema
By John Oncea, Editor
Starting with its groundbreaking use in Fort Apache, thermal optics have transformed film language by providing a new visual perspective that highlights differences in temperature and energy.
Have you seen the Most Iconic Uses of Thermal Optics in Fiction infographic?
Created by Pulsar, a high-tech company that develops and manufactures thermal and digital day and night vision imaging devices for hunting, security, and more, the infographic looks at the most iconic uses of thermal optics in fiction.
The infographic covers quite a bit of ground, from Superman’s ability to detect heat signatures to RoboCop’s array of vision modes to Stitch’s capability to see beyond the human range of the electromagnetic spectrum. It even highlights the Ass Blasters from 2001’s Tremors 3: Back to Perfection and their heat-sensing abilities that allow them to scan large sections of land and distinguish facial expressions.*
As entertaining as the use of thermal optics in fiction is, it was the bottom part of the infographic – thermal optics used for filming – that caught my eye.
According to Pulsar, 1948’s Fort Apache was one of the first times thermal optics was used during filming. Cinematographer Archie Stout, according to Bucci, “Utilized infrared film stock to achieve the stark, almost imposing look of the film’s most dramatic sequences and climax. Through the use of red filters in conjunction with Kodak infrared stock, the filmmakers could achieve a day-for-night look unlike any other.
“The blue sky would photograph not as white, but black, or dark grey. Skin tones and lips were kept neutralized by the application of dark brown makeup. Any props with high levels of red, in fact, leaves, were spray painted brown to avoid a ‘chalking’ of the features.”
Stout’s technique allowed filmmakers to shoot their movies more cheaply, efficiently, and effectively and came only 60 years after the production of what is considered the first movie, Louis Le Prince’s Roundhay Garden Scene, was produced.**
In the nearly 80 years since Stout introduced his technique, filmmakers have continually refined and advanced the use of thermal optic techniques to produce some iconic moments in movie history.
* And who I bring up only to be able to work “Ass Blasters” into an article.
** Technically a short film as it’s only two seconds long.
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
The electromagnetic spectrum, according to Britannica, encompasses the full range of electromagnetic radiation, categorized by frequency, wavelength, and photon energy. While all electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light in a vacuum, they vary widely in their properties and applications.
This spectrum includes multiple subranges, such as visible light and ultraviolet radiation, which are distinguished based on their emission, transmission, absorption characteristics, and practical uses. Since there are no strict boundaries between these regions, their ranges often overlap.
From lowest to highest frequency (or longest to shortest wavelength), the electromagnetic spectrum consists of radio waves (including commercial radio, television, microwaves, and radar), infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, and gamma rays. Nearly all frequencies and wavelengths within this spectrum have applications in spectroscopy.
Pulsar’s infographic points out just how little of the electromagnetic spectrum we can see. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, “The entire rainbow of radiation observable to the human eye only makes up a tiny portion of the electromagnetic spectrum – about 0.0035 percent. This range of wavelengths is known as visible light.”
Our inability to see 99.9965% of the electromagnetic spectrum led us to develop technologies that enhance our visual perception, including infrared.
Infrared – electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than visible light but shorter than microwaves – is usually invisible to the naked eye but emits heat that infrared cameras, thermal optics, and other related technologies can detect. This ability to “see” the unseen has been integrated into countless applications in the military, emergency services, and medicine.
Thermal Vision As A Narrative Device
In Fort Apache, infrared techniques were used not to simulate a character’s vision but to enhance the natural drama of the setting. By capturing the heat differences in a harsh desert environment, the film achieved a distinctive, otherworldly aesthetic that underscored the isolation and ruggedness of the frontier. This pioneering work demonstrated that thermal optics could reveal details invisible to standard cameras – an innovation that filmmakers would explore and refine over the decades.
A major leap in the use of thermal optics came with the 1987 science-fiction action film Predator. In this film, writes Thermascan, the titular alien is depicted using an infrared vision system that casts the world in stark red hues and high-contrast imagery.
This “Predator vision” not only became an iconic visual signature but also served to heighten the creature’s menacing presence. The red-tinted, ghostly view provided audiences with a window into the predator’s world, effectively transforming a technical imaging process into a powerful storytelling device.
The success of Predator inspired a host of subsequent films to experiment with thermal optics. For instance, military-themed movies began integrating thermal imaging to add a layer of authenticity to night operations and covert missions. Directors found that by blending thermal visuals with traditional cinematography, they could enhance the tension and realism of battle scenes, especially when depicting operations under cover of darkness.
As sensor technology advanced, thermal imaging began to migrate from bulky, experimental devices to more compact and accessible systems. In the 1990s and early 2000s, military and law enforcement embraced thermal optics for surveillance and tactical operations, which in turn influenced filmmakers. Documentaries and action thrillers started to incorporate thermal footage to convey the intensity of night-time raids and stealth operations.
For example, in Zero Dark Thirty, the climactic raid sequence utilized a mix of night vision and thermal imaging. This fusion created an immersive experience that allowed audiences to perceive the operation through the eyes of the soldiers – a perspective that would have been impossible to achieve with conventional cameras alone. Similarly, the film Sicario employed thermal imaging during covert border operations, accentuating the tension of clandestine movements and underscoring the inherent unpredictability of such missions.
Modern Innovations: Digital Thermal Imaging And New Visual Effects
The advent of digital sensor technology has revolutionized thermal optics in filmmaking. Today’s thermal cameras offer high-resolution, real-time imaging that is far more accessible and versatile than their predecessors, notes Pulsar.
One striking example is Dune: Part Two, in which director Denis Villeneuve opted to film scenes on the hostile, cold planet of Giedi Prime entirely with infrared cameras. This bold choice produced what critics have come to call the Harkonnen Effect – a visually arresting, almost hyper-real depiction of a dystopian environment where traditional color cinematography would have failed to capture the eerie atmosphere.
Another notable use of thermal optics in contemporary cinema is found in nature documentaries. The Netflix series Night on Earth employs thermal imaging alongside conventional night vision to capture the nocturnal behaviors of wildlife. This approach not only reveals hidden details in the animal kingdom but also emphasizes the contrast between living creatures and their cooler, often camouflaged surroundings. By doing so, filmmakers can tell a more dynamic story of survival and adaptation in the natural world.
Beyond narrative filmmaking, thermal optics also have found a place in experimental and art-house projects. Directors interested in creating visually unique pieces have used thermal imaging to reframe mundane subjects into extraordinary visuals. For example, short films and music videos have incorporated thermal footage to evoke surreal, dreamlike states or to underscore the passage of time by highlighting subtle changes in heat distribution. These creative uses showcase how far infrared technology has come – from a military tool to a medium for artistic expression.
Bridging The Gap Between Science And Art
The evolution of thermal optics illustrates a fascinating convergence of technology and creativity. What began as a method to detect enemy forces or to study the environment from a thermal perspective has grown into a rich visual language. Filmmakers today can seamlessly blend thermal imagery with traditional cinematography, digital effects, and even computer-generated imagery to craft a multi-layered narrative that engages viewers on both an intellectual and emotional level.
This merging of scientific imaging with artful storytelling continues to push the boundaries of visual narrative. As technology further improves – yielding even more compact, high-resolution, and cost-effective thermal cameras – we can expect thermal optics to remain a dynamic and influential tool in the cinematic arsenal.
From its experimental debut in Fort Apache to its modern-day use in films like Dune: Part Two, thermal optics have transformed the way stories are told on screen. By illuminating what the human eye cannot see, thermal imaging enriches visual storytelling, providing filmmakers with a powerful tool to evoke atmosphere, tension, and beauty in ways that transcend the limits of traditional photography.