Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)

movies.stackexchange.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

31–40 of 109 posts

Re: How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)

#31

Post by moffkalast »

mrb wrote: post #14

I immediately assumed this article was about the French movie Le Corniaud (1965) in which a 2CV falls apart in 250 pieces in an accident—this scene specifically: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnLj5Xo4zBc&t=19s It became one of the most iconic scene of French comedy movies. To prepare the scene, the special effects engineer sawed off the car in 250 pieces, reattached every piece with hooks, and secured the hooks wit…

That scene would've been a lot more impressive if wasn't edited like Liam Neeson jumping over a fence, haha

Re: How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)

#32

Post by db48x »

mkl wrote: post #26
hilbert42 wrote: post #9

Those reasons seem to make sense but I'd say just as much has to do with Buster Keaton himself, he had nerves of steel. During the filming of the Civil War movie The General there are images of Keaton doing things that even the bravest of stuntmen wouldn't do these days and we'd now rely on film animation and tricks to make the scenes work. For instance, Keaton—who obviously was very fit and agile—is filmed sitting o…

I found the movie interesting in that they managed to make the Confederates the good guys by simply never showing a Black person on screen or mentioning slavery. There were a few good stunts and it was worth watching as a historical curiosity, but I didn't think it was all that good as a movie. I'm not American, so may have missed some things that would have let me follow the story better.

It’s a comedy; the sides don’t matter. It’s a hilarious movie, in fact.

Re: How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)

#33

Post by sandworm101 »

Much of these tricks comes from how cars used to be constructed. Without any concept of safety cages, they were basically a bunch of very light structures secured atop a heavy metal frame. So long as the actor remains on the seat above the frame, they are in a falling house of cards. Today we build the frames around the people. Pull such a stunt in a modern car and you will be trapped amongst twisted metal rails.

Cars were also much simpler to take apart. A few bolts here and there and a couple people could remove an engine. A few more and the roof came off too. Today, it is all spot welded and tight tollerances. Removing any substanial part of a modern car, anything beyond the seats, requires planning and specialized tools.

Re: How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)

#34

Post by hilbert42 »

mkl wrote: post #26
hilbert42 wrote: post #9

Those reasons seem to make sense but I'd say just as much has to do with Buster Keaton himself, he had nerves of steel. During the filming of the Civil War movie The General there are images of Keaton doing things that even the bravest of stuntmen wouldn't do these days and we'd now rely on film animation and tricks to make the scenes work. For instance, Keaton—who obviously was very fit and agile—is filmed sitting o…

I found the movie interesting in that they managed to make the Confederates the good guys by simply never showing a Black person on screen or mentioning slavery. There were a few good stunts and it was worth watching as a historical curiosity, but I didn't think it was all that good as a movie. I'm not American, so may have missed some things that would have let me follow the story better.

I'm not an American either so I've not a patriotic fervor over the outcome of the Civil War to the extent as that most Americans have.

That the movie showed the Confederates in better light than the Yankees wasn't appreciated much when it was released. Back then, there were Civil War veterans who were still alive who criticized the film which contributed to its poor ratings. Also, keep in mind the film was based on the story The Great Locomotive Chase, changing it to having the Yankees as the main subject just wouldn't have been feasible.

Nevertheless, the film's stature has grown over the years and has developed a bit of a cult status:

https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/the_general_film...

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_General_(1926_film) (read 'Legacy')

Oh, and I just noticed on the Wiki page there's even an image of Keaton riding the cowcatcher.

I'm not a film buff so I'll let those comments/reviews stand on their own merits.

Re: How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)

#35

Post by hilbert42 »

ggm wrote: post #22
hilbert42 wrote: post #9

Those reasons seem to make sense but I'd say just as much has to do with Buster Keaton himself, he had nerves of steel. During the filming of the Civil War movie The General there are images of Keaton doing things that even the bravest of stuntmen wouldn't do these days and we'd now rely on film animation and tricks to make the scenes work. For instance, Keaton—who obviously was very fit and agile—is filmed sitting o…

My favourite Keaton movie is the one near his end where he goes across Canada by hand crank car on rail roads. "The railrodder" (1965) Kenton died 1966

Yeah, I came across that one by sheer accident some years back. It was such a surprise. Now you've reminded me of it I'll watch it again. :-)

Re: How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)

#36

Post by thih9 »

exitb wrote: post #23
wisty wrote: post #6

For those who don't know, Keaton was amazingly dedicated as a comedic stuntman - a silent era Jackie Chan (he was less popular after the silent era, but kept working until his death in the 60s). From Wikipedia: Garry Moore recalled, "I asked (Keaton) how he did all those falls, and he said, 'I'll show you.' He opened his jacket and he was all bruised. So that's how he did it—it hurt—but you had to care enough not to…

> He opened his jacket and he was all bruised. So that's how he did it—it hurt—but you had to care enough not to care." It reminds me of the glass eating trick by David Blaine, where the trick is to… just eat glass. It makes it quite bittersweet, as after all, those men are trading some of their wellbeing for some of their fame. Not sure how to feel about it.

I am also trading my short term wellbeing, if only for money - by working in an unappreciative startup; I suppose many others do the same, and even more would like to. My hope is that my long term wellbeing improves as a result.

Re: How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)

#37

Post by saalweachter »

hilbert42 wrote: post #34
mkl wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I found the movie interesting in that they managed to make the Confederates the good guys by simply never showing a Black person on screen or mentioning slavery. There were a few good stunts and it was worth watching as a historical curiosity, but I didn't think it was all that good as a movie. I'm not American, so may have missed some things that would have let me follow the story better.

I'm not an American either so I've not a patriotic fervor over the outcome of the Civil War to the extent as that most Americans have. That the movie showed the Confederates in better light than the Yankees wasn't appreciated much when it was released. Back then, there were Civil War veterans who were still alive who criticized the film which contributed to its poor ratings. Also, keep in mind the film was based on t…

Some context for non-Americans: the 1920s (when the film was released) was the hey-day of Civil War revisionism; that was when most of the statues of Confederate generals were erected and the narrative of the noble Confederates was written. "1920s film made Confederates the good guys" is one of the least surprising things ever.

Re: How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)

#38

Post by hilbert42 »

saalweachter wrote: post #37
hilbert42 wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not an American either so I've not a patriotic fervor over the outcome of the Civil War to the extent as that most Americans have. That the movie showed the Confederates in better light than the Yankees wasn't appreciated much when it was released. Back then, there were Civil War veterans who were still alive who criticized the film which contributed to its poor ratings. Also, keep in mind the film was based on t…

Some context for non-Americans: the 1920s (when the film was released) was the hey-day of Civil War revisionism; that was when most of the statues of Confederate generals were erected and the narrative of the noble Confederates was written. "1920s film made Confederates the good guys" is one of the least surprising things ever.

Thanks for that, that's a perspective of which I was unaware but I've long been aware there was a reasonable level of criticism when the film was released.

It's notable from this outsider's perspective that there's still levels of animosity over the War and that statues of Lee get desecrated and or damaged from time to time.

Re: How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)

#39

Post by Cthulhu_ »

kjellsbells wrote: post #30
amelius wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

By the way, I always wondered why we got modern versions of the Mini and the Beetle, but not the 2CV.

I guess the answer depends on which aspect of the 2CV is being replicated in the new version. If its "outrageously small but can still take you and a goose to market", Citroën have a tiny little electric vehicle, the Ami, today. If its "something simple enough that a farmer can weld the panels themselves", I fear those days are long gone, in the same way that the OG Land Rover Defender is no longer a car you can wren…

There's still simple cars being produced but they're aimed at the Chinese and Indian markets, same with motorcycles. Example is (was?) the Tata Nano (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tata_Nano), at $2500 a very affordable and simple car, mainly aimed at motorcycle/scooter drivers.

Re: How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)

#40

Post by amelius »

dostick wrote: post #29
amelius wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

By the way, I always wondered why we got modern versions of the Mini and the Beetle, but not the 2CV.

Was one 20 years ago, Citroen c5 or c3 or something. Maybe still is.

It doesn't have the iconic 2CV look ...
Post reply on HN