It's been 10 years since I last saw this flick. In one scene, they approach an 18-wheeler from the rear. The truck lowers the back door and Sarazin drives onto the truck. Is this possible in the real world?
Update 10-Sep: When this question had not been answered in five days, I posted it in a news group. Apparently, it is possible and Mythbusters has a video on YouTube showing that it was possible. Case closed.
It's a driving skill that needs to be mastered but it can be done. It was in the film. In 1976 there was no CGI, and the actors did their own stunt driving, except for the stunt where the Camaro is on two wheels. :)
I think the trick is to be going about 5 or so miles an hour faster, and as the front wheels hit the ramp, the driver accelerates, and then brakes. It happens extremely quickly. Probably maybe 2-3 seconds between accelerating/braking.
Quite a few films/TV shows have used this stunt.
I suspect though, that in the Gumball Rally (or indeed in any film), it required many hours of practice and many takes.
"In 1976 there was no CGI, and the actors did their own stunt driving,"
And that is why most of today's movies suck. Now they would set up a trailer in a studio and just green screen the illusion of motion. It seems the more they use CGI, the worse it gets. Was watching the trailer for The 3 Musketeers and the whole thing looked completely fake. If I want fake, I'll watch a cartoon.
By TV show, you mean Knight Rider, right? This trick were performed in countless times. Difference is, trailer's interior in this movie is real, while trailer of Knight Industries' is a studio set.
shareMyth Busters has shown that this is a fairly easy (Don't try this at home)stunt.
shareAhem ... it's Raul Julia's character that drives into the truck, not Michael Sarazin.
shareI always though the real talent with this was with reversing, you'd have to back down the ramp in reverse then drop the clutch and put the car in, say, 2nd gear to match whatever speed the truck was doing because the car's going to suddenly go from 5mph to 40mph when it leaves the ramp and hits the road.
Guessing you probably couldn't do this stunt with an automatic?
People should spend more time watching movies and less time bitching about IMDB spoilers.
roll down in neutral i guess, then drop it in drive.
shareCheck out the Italian Job, where they drive 3 Mini Coopers, in succession, into a bus, with the film director hanging out the back, waving them in.
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