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A recurring topic in the latest autobiography by director Edward Zwick, titled Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions, is the significance of practical effects. Zwick emphasizes this point by recalling how for The Siege, he was able to temporarily close down Times Square and Brooklyn Bridge in order to create a more authentic and believable atmosphere. However, he fears that if the movie were made in present times, it would rely solely on CGI and lose a certain intangible quality.
Zwick did not anticipate this, but coincidentally he made his statement during a period where many actors were confessing that they are overly committed to preserving the unexplainable, resulting in extreme physical harm in the pursuit of pleasing audiences.
Earlier this week, we were informed by Russell Crowe about his experience of breaking both legs while jumping off a portcullis while filming Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood. Following suit, Sylvester Stallone has also shared his own story during the launch of a new season of his reality show. He revealed that during the filming of The Expendables, he dislocated his shoulders and fractured his neck so severely that he had to undergo seven back surgeries, have a metal plate inserted in his neck, and receive spinal fusions.
In the show The Family Stallone, which is a confirmed and tangible entity, Stallone shares a story about filming a scene for The Expendables where he had to fight wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin. He recalls being the director and foolishly doing multiple takes, but one slam from Austin caused lasting physical damage. Stallone cautions others against doing their own stunts.
According to all reports, this sounds extremely unpleasant. The movie The Expendables was released 14 years ago, and the fact that Stallone has been enduring such pain since then is truly unfortunate. However, one would think that he would have learned his lesson. While filming Rocky IV in the 1980s, as has been recounted numerous times, Stallone was struck with such force in the chest by Dolph Lundgren that his heart hit his breastbone and began to dangerously swell, resulting in him spending over a week in intensive care. If there was ever a moment to stop performing dangerous stunts, it would be right after being hospitalized by Ivan Drago’s punch.
Many actors have experienced injuries while filming, not just Crowe and Stallone. For example, Jeremy Renner broke both arms while making Tag, George Clooney hit his head and had spinal fluid leakage during Syriana, Jim Caviezel was struck by lightning while filming The Passion of the Christ, and Jackie Chan has endured numerous injuries throughout his career as a stunt performer. In fact, there are even online articles that rank his top 10 injuries.
However, it appears that there is a prevailing attitude of competition, challenging us to evaluate actors based on the risks they take to entertain viewers. And until other actors join in, we are left to determine whose injury, Crowe’s or Stallone’s, is more remarkable.
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It’s a difficult decision. One side, Crowe asserts that he managed to walk on his broken legs without disclosing it to any producers or doctors. On the other hand, it would have been much more challenging to walk with a fractured spine. Stallone’s injury required extensive treatment over many years, while Crowe was unaware of his broken legs until a decade later when he underwent an MRI scan. Additionally, the impact of the stunts should be taken into consideration. Crowe’s scene of jumping over a portcullis was relatively minor and did not make the cut for the fast-paced action montage at the end of the Robin Hood trailer. In contrast, in the Expendables trailer at one minute and 50 seconds, there is a high possibility that viewers can spot the exact moment when Sylvester Stallone injures his neck.
Who is the victor? The audience, without a doubt. If it weren’t for daring individuals like Russell Crowe and Sylvester Stallone taking chances on their movie productions, we wouldn’t be reminiscing about two average films released 15 years ago. May their adventurous escapades persist.
Source: theguardian.com
