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Unsung Heroes
July / August 2011(revised 11/9/14)
UNSUNG HEROES:
* (Dec. '11 / Jan. '12) BILL YOUNG'S PRECISION DRIVING TEAM
* (July / August 2011) STUNTMAN VIC ARMSTRONG - REAL LIFE SUPERHERO
* (Dec. '11 / Jan. '12) BILL YOUNG'S PRECISION DRIVING TEAM
* (July / August 2011) STUNTMAN VIC ARMSTRONG - REAL LIFE SUPERHERO
VIC ARMSTRONG - WORLD'S GREATEST STUNTMAN
(AND REAL LIFE SUPERHERO)
by
CEJ
(AND REAL LIFE SUPERHERO)
by
CEJ
Armstrong doubling for Stallone on RAMBO III (1988). He'd use the same horse one year later
on his leap to the Nazi tank in INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE (1989)
"No CGI can match what Vic can accomplish" (Steven Spielberg). "Vic is the man!" (Pierce Brosnan). "Vic Armstrong is, of course, a legend" (Martin Scorcese). Just a few snippets of praise for VIC ARMSTRONG who, after his legendary forty-year plus film career, today still dons the crown (according to the Guinness Book of World Records) as the most prolific stunt man in cinema history.
Born in 1946 in Buckinghamshire, England, Armstrong - at the age of 14, quit school to pursue a career as a jockey. Years later his equestrian expertise would lead to his first film assignments. “Everyone in the stunt business really gets employed because of a specialty”, he would say. And his specialty found considerable demand during the 1960’s era of the popular “horse opera” western. Over the years he’d learn more about other techniques (falls, swordplay and the choreography of hand to hand combat) till his accumulated training lead to breakout gigs as Gregory Peck’s double in ARABESQUE (1966) and as one of the heroic Ninja commandos repelling into the mouth of the volcano missile complex at the climax of 1967’s James Bond epic YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE.
This would initiate a life-long career (as a stunt performer then eventual action coordinator) with Albert R. Broccoli’s Bond family including ON HER MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE (1969) - as one of the Alpine skier/gunman, LIVE AND LET DIE (1973), TOMORROW NEVER DIES (1997), THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH (1998) and DIE ANOTHER DAY (2002), where his two son’s Scott and Bruce Armstrong would work under their father as performers. He even did the horse leap off the castle wall in 1983’s competing non-Broccoli produced Bond film NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN.
His daughter Nina would also be a main stunt persons on 2000’s big screen version of CHARLIE’S ANGELS. In the late 1970s and early 80s he’d don Christopher Reeve’s cape for the harnessed flying sequences of SUPERMAN, SUPERMAN II and SUPERMAN 3. Then he’d most famously become known as Harrison Ford’s action alternate in RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981), performing the “under-the-truck” maneuver during the film’s iconic desert chase, as well as it’s sequel’s TEMPLE OF DOOM (‘84) and THE LAST CRUSADE (’89).
He’d continue doubling for Ford (with whom he’d by now become close friends) on WITNESS (‘85)M THE MOSQUITO COAST (’86), FRANTIC (’88), WORKING GIRL (’88), REGARDING HENRY (’91) and PATRIOT GAMES (’92). As action/stunt coordinator other films would include A BRIDGE TOO FAR (’77), KRULL (’83), CONAN THE DESTROYER (’84), THE MISSION (’86), TOTAL RECALL (’90), STARSHIP TROOPERS (’97), GANGS OF NEW YORK (’02), MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 3 (’06), I AM LEGEND (’07), THE GREEN HORNET and THOR (both 2011), and the upcoming THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (2012).
"A picture is worth a thousand words", and rather than praddle on about how much we admire the work of Mr. Armstrong, we felt it best to let the action maestro speak for himself in the form of a "moving gallery" of film clips highlighting some of his most mind-boggling feats of acro (and aero!!!) batic sorcery. Hold on to your popcorn!
In celebration of the May, 2011 publication of his autobiographical memoir THE TRUE ADVENTURES OF THE WORLD’S GREATES STUNTMAN: MY LIFE AS INDIANA JONES, JAMES BOND, SUPERMAN AND OTHER MOVIE HEROES, “Unsung Heroes” proudly presents it’s tribute to one of the most respected and beloved living legends of the industry - Mr. Vic Armstrong.
CEJ - August 2011
(revised 11/9/14)
*AUDIO* Leonard Maltin interview - June, 2011
Site Search Index:
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"Desert Chase" - RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981)
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AS STUNT COORDINATOR / 2ND UNIT DIRECTOR
On TOMORROW NEVER DIES (1997) / THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH (1999)
(click images to enlarge)
On TOMORROW NEVER DIES (1997) / THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH (1999)
(click images to enlarge)
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"Thames Speedboat Chase" - THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH (1999)
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On WAR OF THE WORLDS (2005)
(click images to enlarge)
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"Helicopter Raid: Afghan Village" - RAMBO III (1988)
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On CHARLIE'S ANGELS (2000)
(click images to enlarge)
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"Arrival of The Destroyer" - THOR (2011)_____________________________________
On THE FOUR FEATHERS (2002)
(click images to enlarge)
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VIC ARMSTRONG: Filmography
AS STUNTMAN -
2014 Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (stunt coordinator)
2012
The Amazing Spider-Man
(stunts - uncredited)
2011
Thor
(supervising stunt coordinator)
2011 The Green Hornet (stunt coordinator)
2010 Shanghai (stunt coordinator)
2010 Robin Hood (stunt performer - as Munro Armstrong)
2008 Valkyrie (action consultant: additional photography, U.S. - as Victor Armstrong)
2008 The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (action coordinator, supervising stunt coordinator)
2007 I Am Legend (stunt coordinator)
2007 The Golden Compass (supervising stunt coordinator: second unit)
2006 Mission: Impossible III (stunt coordinator)
2005 War of the Worlds (stunt coordinator)
2002 Gangs of New York (stunt coordinator - uncredited)
2002 Die Another Day (stunt coordinator)
2002 Peak Practice (TV series) (stunt double - 1 episode)
– Episode #12.13 (2002) (stunt double)
2001 The Fourth Angel (utility stunts)
2000 Charlie's Angels (stunt coordinator)
1999 The World Is Not Enough (stunt coordinator - uncredited)
1999 Entrapment (stunt coordinator)
1998 Black Dog (stunt coordinator)
1997 Tomorrow Never Dies (stunt coordinator)
1997 Starship Troopers (stunt coordinator)
1997 Shadow Conspiracy (stunt coordinator)
1995 Cutthroat Island (stunt coordinator)
1995 Johnny Mnemonic (stunt coordinator: second unit - as Victor Armstrong)
1995 Rob Roy (stunt coordinator)
1994 Black Beauty (stunt coordinator)
1993 Last Action Hero (stunt coordinator)
1992 Universal Soldier (stunt coordinator)
1992 Patriot Games (stunt double: Mr. Ford - uncredited)
1992 Forever Green (TV series) (stunts - 1 episode)
– Episode #2.4 (1992) (stunts)
1991 Double Impact (stunt coordinator: USA)
1991 Regarding Henry (stunt double: Mr. Ford - uncredited)
1991 Cover Up (stunt coordinator)
1990 Air America (stunt coordinator)
1990 Total Recall (stunt coordinator)
1989 We're No Angels (stunt coordinator)
1989 Henry V (stunt coordinator)
1989 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (stunt coordinator, stunt double: Mr. Ford/Indiana Jones double #1 - uncredited)
1988 Working Girl (stunt double: Mr. Ford - uncredited)
1988 Rambo III (stunt coordinator)
1988 Frantic (stunt double: Mr. Ford - uncredited, stunts)
1988 Amsterdamned (stunts)
1987 Empire of the Sun (stunt coordinator, stunts - uncredited)
1987 The Sicilian (stunt coordinator, stunts - uncredited)
1987 Million Dollar Mystery (stunts)
1986 The Mosquito Coast (stunt double: Mr. Ford - uncredited)
1986 Tai-Pan (stunt coordinator)
1986 The Mission (stunt coordinator)
1985 Legend (stunts & doubles)
1985 The Zoo Gang (stunts - uncredited)
1985 Lace II (TV movie) (stunt coordinator)
1985 Brazil (stunts)
1985 Witness (stunt double: Mr. Ford - uncredited)
1984 Dune (stunts - uncredited)
1984 Conan the Destroyer (stunt coordinator)
1984 Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (stunt arranger: studio, stunt double: Mr. Ford/Indiana Jones double #1 - uncredited, stunts)
1984 The Comic Strip Presents... (TV series) (stunts - 1 episode)
– Slags (1984) (stunts)
1983 Slayground (stunt arranger: British crew)
1983 Never Say Never Again (high fall on horseback stunt double: Sean Connery - uncredited, stunt coordinator)
1983 Krull (stunt coordinator, stunts - uncredited)
1983 Superman III (stunts - uncredited)
1982 A Time to Die (stunt double: Vrost - uncredited)
1982 Ivanhoe (TV movie) (stunt arranger)
1981 An American Werewolf in London (stunts)
1981 Raiders of the Lost Ark (stunt double: Mr. Ford/Indiana Jones double #1 - uncredited, stunts)
1981 Green Ice (stunt coordinator)
1981 Omen III: The Final Conflict (stunts - uncredited)
1980 Superman II (stunt coordinator, stunt double: Christopher Reeve - uncredited, stunts - uncredited)
1980 The Long Good Friday (stunts)
1980 Flash Gordon (stunts - uncredited)
1980 The Curse of King Tut's Tomb (TV movie) (stunts - uncredited)
1980 The Watcher in the Woods (stunt supervisor)
1979 Bear Island (stunt coordinator, stunts)
1979 Unidentified Flying Oddball (stunt coordinator)
1979 Escape to Athena (stunt coordinator, stunts - uncredited)
1978 Superman (stunt coordinator, stunt double: Christopher Reeve - uncredited)
1977 A Bridge Too Far (assistant stunt arranger, stunts - uncredited)
1975 Side by Side (stunts)
1974 Billy Two Hats (stunts - uncredited)
1973 Live and Let Die (stunt double: Roger Moore - uncredited, stunts - uncredited)
1973 A Touch of Class (stunt double: George Segal - uncredited)
1972 Young Winston (stunts - uncredited)
1971 When Eight Bells Toll (stunts - uncredited)
1970/I Ryan's Daughter (stunts - uncredited)
1970 Figures in a Landscape (stunt coordinator)
1969 On Her Majesty's Secret Service (ski double: Bond - uncredited)
1969/I Alfred the Great (stunts - uncredited)
1968 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (stunts - uncredited)
1968 Mayerling (stunts - uncredited)
1967 You Only Live Twice (stunts - uncredited)
1966 Arabesque (horse stunt double: Gregory Peck - uncredited, stunts - uncredited)
AS SECOND UNIT DIRECTOR / ASST. DIRECTOR -
2014 Left Behind (Director)
2012 The Amazing Spider-Man (second unit director) (post-production)
2011 Thor (second unit director)
2011 The Green Hornet (second unit director)
2011 Season of the Witch (second unit director: Crusades, Shreveport additional photography)
2010 Salt (second unit director - uncredited)
2010 The Wolfman (second unit director)
2008 The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (action unit director, second unit director)
2007 I Am Legend (second unit director)
2007 The Golden Compass (second unit director)
2007 The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: My First Adventure (video) (second unit director)
2006 The Holiday (second unit director: United Kingdom)
2006 Children of Glory (second unit director)
2006 Mission: Impossible III (action unit director, second unit director)
2005 The Great Raid (second unit director: action unit)
2005 War of the Worlds (second unit director)
2004 Blade: Trinity (action director, second unit director)
2004 Lakshya (second unit director)
2004 Miracle (second unit director)
2003 The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (second unit director)
2002 Gangs of New York (second unit director: fight scenes)
2002 Die Another Day (second unit director)
2002 The Four Feathers (second unit director: action unit)
2001 Captain Corelli's Mandolin (second unit director)
2000 The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Adventures in the Secret Service (video) (assistant director: Austria)
2000 Charlie's Angels (second unit director)
2000 Quills (second unit director)
1999 The World Is Not Enough (second unit director)
1999 Entrapment (second unit director)
1999 The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Spring Break Adventure (video) (second unit director)
1998 The Avengers (second unit director)
1998 Black Dog (second unit director)
1997 Tomorrow Never Dies (second unit director)
1997 Starship Troopers (second unit director)
1997 Shadow Conspiracy (second unit director)
1996 The Phantom (second unit director - as Victor M. Armstrong)
1995 Johnny Mnemonic (second unit director - as Victor Armstrong)
1995 Rob Roy (second unit director)
1994 Radioland Murders (second unit director)
1994 Black Beauty (second unit director)
1993 Last Action Hero (second unit director - uncredited)
1992-1993 The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (TV series) (second unit director - 2 episodes)
– Young Indiana Jones and the Mystery of the Blues (1993) (second unit director)
– Young Indiana Jones and the Curse of the Jackal (1992) (second unit director)
1992 Universal Soldier (second unit director)
1991 Double Impact (second unit director)
1991 F/X2 (second unit director)
1991 Cover Up (second unit director)
1990 Air America (third director)
1990 Total Recall (second unit director)
1989 Henry V (second unit director)
1987 Million Dollar Mystery (second unit director)
1985 Red Sonja (action unit supervisor)
1979 Bear Island (second unit director)
2011 The Green Hornet (stunt coordinator)
2010 Shanghai (stunt coordinator)
2010 Robin Hood (stunt performer - as Munro Armstrong)
2008 Valkyrie (action consultant: additional photography, U.S. - as Victor Armstrong)
2008 The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (action coordinator, supervising stunt coordinator)
2007 I Am Legend (stunt coordinator)
2007 The Golden Compass (supervising stunt coordinator: second unit)
2006 Mission: Impossible III (stunt coordinator)
2005 War of the Worlds (stunt coordinator)
2002 Gangs of New York (stunt coordinator - uncredited)
2002 Die Another Day (stunt coordinator)
2002 Peak Practice (TV series) (stunt double - 1 episode)
– Episode #12.13 (2002) (stunt double)
2001 The Fourth Angel (utility stunts)
2000 Charlie's Angels (stunt coordinator)
1999 The World Is Not Enough (stunt coordinator - uncredited)
1999 Entrapment (stunt coordinator)
1998 Black Dog (stunt coordinator)
1997 Tomorrow Never Dies (stunt coordinator)
1997 Starship Troopers (stunt coordinator)
1997 Shadow Conspiracy (stunt coordinator)
1995 Cutthroat Island (stunt coordinator)
1995 Johnny Mnemonic (stunt coordinator: second unit - as Victor Armstrong)
1995 Rob Roy (stunt coordinator)
1994 Black Beauty (stunt coordinator)
1993 Last Action Hero (stunt coordinator)
1992 Universal Soldier (stunt coordinator)
1992 Patriot Games (stunt double: Mr. Ford - uncredited)
1992 Forever Green (TV series) (stunts - 1 episode)
– Episode #2.4 (1992) (stunts)
1991 Double Impact (stunt coordinator: USA)
1991 Regarding Henry (stunt double: Mr. Ford - uncredited)
1991 Cover Up (stunt coordinator)
1990 Air America (stunt coordinator)
1990 Total Recall (stunt coordinator)
1989 We're No Angels (stunt coordinator)
1989 Henry V (stunt coordinator)
1989 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (stunt coordinator, stunt double: Mr. Ford/Indiana Jones double #1 - uncredited)
1988 Working Girl (stunt double: Mr. Ford - uncredited)
1988 Rambo III (stunt coordinator)
1988 Frantic (stunt double: Mr. Ford - uncredited, stunts)
1988 Amsterdamned (stunts)
1987 Empire of the Sun (stunt coordinator, stunts - uncredited)
1987 The Sicilian (stunt coordinator, stunts - uncredited)
1987 Million Dollar Mystery (stunts)
1986 The Mosquito Coast (stunt double: Mr. Ford - uncredited)
1986 Tai-Pan (stunt coordinator)
1986 The Mission (stunt coordinator)
1985 Legend (stunts & doubles)
1985 The Zoo Gang (stunts - uncredited)
1985 Lace II (TV movie) (stunt coordinator)
1985 Brazil (stunts)
1985 Witness (stunt double: Mr. Ford - uncredited)
1984 Dune (stunts - uncredited)
1984 Conan the Destroyer (stunt coordinator)
1984 Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (stunt arranger: studio, stunt double: Mr. Ford/Indiana Jones double #1 - uncredited, stunts)
1984 The Comic Strip Presents... (TV series) (stunts - 1 episode)
– Slags (1984) (stunts)
1983 Slayground (stunt arranger: British crew)
1983 Never Say Never Again (high fall on horseback stunt double: Sean Connery - uncredited, stunt coordinator)
1983 Krull (stunt coordinator, stunts - uncredited)
1983 Superman III (stunts - uncredited)
1982 A Time to Die (stunt double: Vrost - uncredited)
1982 Ivanhoe (TV movie) (stunt arranger)
1981 An American Werewolf in London (stunts)
1981 Raiders of the Lost Ark (stunt double: Mr. Ford/Indiana Jones double #1 - uncredited, stunts)
1981 Green Ice (stunt coordinator)
1981 Omen III: The Final Conflict (stunts - uncredited)
1980 Superman II (stunt coordinator, stunt double: Christopher Reeve - uncredited, stunts - uncredited)
1980 The Long Good Friday (stunts)
1980 Flash Gordon (stunts - uncredited)
1980 The Curse of King Tut's Tomb (TV movie) (stunts - uncredited)
1980 The Watcher in the Woods (stunt supervisor)
1979 Bear Island (stunt coordinator, stunts)
1979 Unidentified Flying Oddball (stunt coordinator)
1979 Escape to Athena (stunt coordinator, stunts - uncredited)
1978 Superman (stunt coordinator, stunt double: Christopher Reeve - uncredited)
1977 A Bridge Too Far (assistant stunt arranger, stunts - uncredited)
1975 Side by Side (stunts)
1974 Billy Two Hats (stunts - uncredited)
1973 Live and Let Die (stunt double: Roger Moore - uncredited, stunts - uncredited)
1973 A Touch of Class (stunt double: George Segal - uncredited)
1972 Young Winston (stunts - uncredited)
1971 When Eight Bells Toll (stunts - uncredited)
1970/I Ryan's Daughter (stunts - uncredited)
1970 Figures in a Landscape (stunt coordinator)
1969 On Her Majesty's Secret Service (ski double: Bond - uncredited)
1969/I Alfred the Great (stunts - uncredited)
1968 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (stunts - uncredited)
1968 Mayerling (stunts - uncredited)
1967 You Only Live Twice (stunts - uncredited)
1966 Arabesque (horse stunt double: Gregory Peck - uncredited, stunts - uncredited)
AS SECOND UNIT DIRECTOR / ASST. DIRECTOR -
2014 Left Behind (Director)
2012 The Amazing Spider-Man (second unit director) (post-production)
2011 Thor (second unit director)
2011 The Green Hornet (second unit director)
2011 Season of the Witch (second unit director: Crusades, Shreveport additional photography)
2010 Salt (second unit director - uncredited)
2010 The Wolfman (second unit director)
2008 The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (action unit director, second unit director)
2007 I Am Legend (second unit director)
2007 The Golden Compass (second unit director)
2007 The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: My First Adventure (video) (second unit director)
2006 The Holiday (second unit director: United Kingdom)
2006 Children of Glory (second unit director)
2006 Mission: Impossible III (action unit director, second unit director)
2005 The Great Raid (second unit director: action unit)
2005 War of the Worlds (second unit director)
2004 Blade: Trinity (action director, second unit director)
2004 Lakshya (second unit director)
2004 Miracle (second unit director)
2003 The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (second unit director)
2002 Gangs of New York (second unit director: fight scenes)
2002 Die Another Day (second unit director)
2002 The Four Feathers (second unit director: action unit)
2001 Captain Corelli's Mandolin (second unit director)
2000 The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Adventures in the Secret Service (video) (assistant director: Austria)
2000 Charlie's Angels (second unit director)
2000 Quills (second unit director)
1999 The World Is Not Enough (second unit director)
1999 Entrapment (second unit director)
1999 The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Spring Break Adventure (video) (second unit director)
1998 The Avengers (second unit director)
1998 Black Dog (second unit director)
1997 Tomorrow Never Dies (second unit director)
1997 Starship Troopers (second unit director)
1997 Shadow Conspiracy (second unit director)
1996 The Phantom (second unit director - as Victor M. Armstrong)
1995 Johnny Mnemonic (second unit director - as Victor Armstrong)
1995 Rob Roy (second unit director)
1994 Radioland Murders (second unit director)
1994 Black Beauty (second unit director)
1993 Last Action Hero (second unit director - uncredited)
1992-1993 The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (TV series) (second unit director - 2 episodes)
– Young Indiana Jones and the Mystery of the Blues (1993) (second unit director)
– Young Indiana Jones and the Curse of the Jackal (1992) (second unit director)
1992 Universal Soldier (second unit director)
1991 Double Impact (second unit director)
1991 F/X2 (second unit director)
1991 Cover Up (second unit director)
1990 Air America (third director)
1990 Total Recall (second unit director)
1989 Henry V (second unit director)
1987 Million Dollar Mystery (second unit director)
1985 Red Sonja (action unit supervisor)
1979 Bear Island (second unit director)
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All film clip rights held by copyright owners. Presented here for educational / criticism purposes only.
All film clip rights held by copyright owners. Presented here for educational / criticism purposes only.
