The Stunt Man (1980) 7.2
A fugitive stumbles on a movie set just when they need a new stunt man, takes the job as a way to hide out, and falls for the leading lady. Director:Richard Rush |
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The Stunt Man (1980) 7.2
A fugitive stumbles on a movie set just when they need a new stunt man, takes the job as a way to hide out, and falls for the leading lady. Director:Richard Rush |
|
| 0Share... |
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Peter O'Toole | ... | ||
| Steve Railsback | ... |
Cameron
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| Barbara Hershey | ... | ||
| Allen Garfield | ... |
Sam
(as Allen Goorwitz)
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| Alex Rocco | ... |
Police Chief Jake
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| Sharon Farrell | ... |
Denise
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| Adam Roarke | ... |
Raymond Bailey
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Philip Bruns | ... |
Ace
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Charles Bail | ... |
Chuck Barton
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| John Garwood | ... |
Gabe
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Jim Hess | ... |
Henry
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John Pearce | ... |
Garage Guard
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Michael Railsback | ... |
Burt
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George Wallace | ... |
Nina's Father
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Dee Carroll | ... |
Nina's Mother
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While on the run from the police, Steve Railsback hides in a group of moviemakers where he pretends to be a stunt man. Both aided and endangered by the director (Peter O'Toole) he avoids both the police and sudden death as a stuntman. The mixture of real danger and fantasy of the movie is an interesting twist for the viewer as the two blend in individual scenes. Written by John Vogel <jlvogel@comcast.net>
Peter O'Toole gives a marvellous performance as a film director in this film which looks (to an extent) behind the scenes of movie making. I originally saw this one Sunday afternoon at the cinema and I remember how enthralled I was. There were a few surprises when something turned out to be something else like a model maybe. But it wasn't until I got the DVD that I realised there were many layers to the film.
The director had great difficulty with the studios in various stages of making the movie and although it was originally intended as an anti-Vietnam film, that had to be changed as production got further away from the war years. So although it may have lost something along the way it gained other things in the process. To my mind this makes it a stronger and more intriguing film.
If you watch the documentary that accompanies the DVD a lot is explained which you don't actually realise whilst watching the movie. Watch the film again and you will probably have a renewed interest. You will probably see it a little differently. It's not an Academy Award winner (and I don't think it should have been). But it's a drama, a romance, a comedy and a lot more besides. It has its fans and friends as well as detractors. I liked it and still see it as good fun.