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Stallone's stuntwork is incredible in Rambo III

posted 11 years ago by Iron_Leopard
4 replies | jump to latest

Most of the scenes you see Stallone doing in this movie would never be done today by a Hollywood actor. I'm especially amazed at the scene when the Russians attack the Afghan camp during the sheep game. Those choppers are flying awfully close to the ground. I read somewhere that Stallone was nearly decapitated during one of those shots when he was on horseback. That's how low they were flying.

Another impressive shot is the slow motion one of Sly bending down to grab the sheep from atop the horse during the game. Yes his strength is impressive but even more impressive is how dangerous this stunt really is and it's all him. Going full speed and reaching that low from that high up could have been disasterous if he had accidently fell off.

Everything about this movie blows me away. They can have their green screen CGI comic book movies. I'll take the legendary Rambo series which each movie was shot in harsh, spirit breaking conditions and where the star actor did more of the actual stunts than these new actors could ever dream about doing.

[–] Catgurl22 11 years ago

No arguments there. Stallone's stunt work in this movie was just incredible!

Just one interesting thing about the second scene that you mentioned. When Sly bends down to grab the sheep, you can see the guy in the horse next to him holding Sly's saddle so that he should not fall off. Still, requires a lot of guts to do that. I wonder how many of the pale, pimply, so-called "action heroes" of today would dare to do something like that. All they know how to do is show off their washboard abs. The rest is all CGI.

Mr McGee, don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry!

[–] Iron_Leopard 10 years ago

Yeah I noticed the guy holding onto Stallone but it's still a pretty dangerous stunt.

[–] brightmidnight71 10 years ago

Yeah man, this movie was intense as far as the stunts go. I remember in one of the commentary tracks, those choppers really were too close. The pilot couldn't see because of the dust and Sly and the stuntman riding next to him had to ride all out to keep their heads. (That horse Stallone was on was the same one Harrison Ford rode in Last Crusade).

Plus the rock climbing scene...that looked amazing even if he wasn't as high up as it looks...and all the time Sly is like right next to explosions and fire plumes, shirtless...And not one drop of CG in the whole thing. I always remember that part when he drops down the rope with the napalm explosion above him (ok that part looked a little fake, but just a little) and runs for cover, one of those fire plumes practically licks his whole right side.

Could you imagine an action star today just jumping up and climbing a thin rope with just their arms? (maybe Dwayne Johnson).

People crap on this installment a lot because it's seen as the movie that took Rambo over the top into ridiculousness...i would argue it's one of the best action movies ever made. Had a solid plot, as far as action movies go, an iconic character, Sly looked the best he ever did, had the original two cast members, great cinematography, amazing locations, great action scenes and stunt scenes...it was just badass all the way around with one hell of a finale.

[–] Iron_Leopard 10 years ago

Well put indeed brightmidnight71.

Another moment that just sprang to mind was when Sly jumped off the horse and ran over to the wall to take cover from the chopper attacks at the Afgahn camp and those two huge explosions that went off on both sides of him not 6 feet away from him. You can tell that's really Stallone there and even the commentary said that was all him.

You just can't do that sort of stuff today with actors. Actors who aren't even half the superstar that Sly was in the 80s.