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

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

#41
post #28
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…

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

Because the 2CV is mostly replaced by the entire crossover and compact SUV market segment.

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

#42
post #36
post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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.

That's true, although society generally does not applaud sustaining permanent injuries at work as dedication.

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

#43
post #10

"The only secret of magic is I'm willing to work harder on it than you think it's worth" - Penn Jillette https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trRJ4J15xU8

Spending more time and effort than other people are willing to do works in a number of fields.

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

#44
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.

I don't want performers to risk their safety, health and life for my entertainment. Obviously I cannot stop it, but I can stop watching those who engage in things like this. (And I don't just mean the stunt performer, but the director, the producers, the studio and the franchise.)

I have unsubscribed from youtube channels when I felt that they were pushing themselves in dangerous directions. It is not like that alone will stop them, but if I would keep watching I would be complicit in the harm which might befall them.

There is the principle attributed to Houdini by Penn Jillette that a performance/trick should not be more dangerous than sitting in one's living room. Especially when it appears dangerous. I don't know about the exact line though. Strictly interpreting the "not be more dangerous than sitting in one's living room" definition would disqualify any performance where the performer had to drive (or be chauffeured) to the location of their performance. And that would be a bit ridiculous.

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

#45
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…

The entire film is embedded on the wiki page. Public domain is cool!

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

#46
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 the Ineos Grenadier[1]

> The Grenadier was designed to be a modern replacement of the original Land Rover Defender, with boxy bodywork, a steel ladder chassis, beam axles with long-travel progressive-rate coil spring suspension (front and rear), and powered by a BMW B58 inline six turbocharged engine.

[1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ineos_Grenadier

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

#47
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…

For Defender there is Ineos Grenadier https://ineosgrenadier.com/

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

#48
post #20

I'm surprised there's no mention yet of the incredible scene from the 1980 film "The Blues Brothers". https://youtu.be/QfN1GRqKXpM?si=-4Mwmipl5sCFtCWN This practical effect took weeks to set up. I can't find documentation specifying any special techniques used to create this version of the car. I recall reading an interview naming the builder who set it up, and how no one on set was allowed to touch it except the act…

I remember watching that movie recently and seeing that the cast was almost half stuntmen. The fact that the Chicago police basically gave them free range and unlimited extras also made a lot of things possible. The final chase scene is about 15 minutes of car crashes including the one where the neonazis fly off the bridge and the camera jump cuts to the car dropped from an airplane into Lake Michigan. https://youtu.be/FD9N7v5qGig?si=p-QYJSkkYJIlN3b4&t=110

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

#49
post #40
post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

It doesn't have the iconic 2CV look ...

Nor do the new mini ever had the original mini look. The Daihatsu Trevis was much closer to the Issigonis Mini look than the new mini ever was.

I may be wrong but I don't think the 2cv has a design that can translate as easily to a newer version the same way as the beetle design could without being completely denatured. I think it would be easier to build a modern HY looking van.

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

#50
post #44
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. I don't want performers to risk their safety, health and life for my entertainment. Obviously I cannot stop it, but I can stop watching those who engage in things like this. (And I don't just mean the stunt performer, but the director, the producers, the studio and the franchise.) I have unsubscribed…

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