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Watch an exclusive clip of Patty Jenkins directing the epic fight for Themyscira

Go behind the scenes of Wonder Woman’s big beach battle

Wonder Woman type Movie

Wonder Woman is packed with memorable action scenes — The No Man’s Land battle! The climactic face-off in the third act! — but one of the most kickass moments happens early in the film: When German soldiers follow Steve Trevor to Themyscira, they come face to face with the elite Amazonian army, resulting in an epic beachside clash. It’s a thrilling, high-stakes action sequence that spotlights the Amazons’ strength, speed, and power, and in this exclusive clip from the Wonder Woman digital release, director Patty Jenkins explains exactly how it came together.

“The beach battle was defined by one thing, which is Diana’s point of view,” Jenkins explains. “She has grown up with this idyllic, romantic idea of these Amazons all around her and battle and training. And she wants to be one of them. She’s seen them train in a very fair and organized way, where they all fight, and there are rules.”

“So this battle, what was fascinating to me [is] it’s the first time Diana sees her own people turn and this other side of them, which is brutal and capable and willing to wage a battle,” Jenkins continues. “And she sees the brutality of man.”

Much of the battle’s action scenes were shot on a real beach in Italy, with female athletes from around the world playing the Amazonian warriors. The behind-the-scenes clip also shows Jenkins giving direction to stars Gal Gadot and Chris Pine during the height of the battle, as imaginary German soldiers storm the beach.

Wonder Woman will be available digitally on Tuesday and on Blu-ray on Sept. 19. Gal Gadot has signed on to return for the 2019 sequel, and Jenkins is also nearing a deal to return as director.

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