Even I had doubts that a story about a novelty ski jumper who stole the hearts of the Olympics in 1988 could prove so appealing cinematically, but director Dexter Fletcher certainly has pulled it off with the incredibly uplifting and awe-inspiring EDDIE THE EAGLE.
The film is actually ROCKY-like in it’s approach – the tale of an underdog who has a crazy dream to fulfil his desire to be one of the world’s best. However, much of the film’s strengths comes from it’s impeccably staged action which, like Robert Zemeckis‘ THE WALK (2015) does put you in the zone with our beloved hero.
So, it is to the credit of Second Unit Director and legendary stuntman and co-ordinator Vic Armstrong that EDDIE THE EAGLE is elevated to more than just a fairy-tale adventure on the piste – a fact that seems to mirror much of Armstrong’s work in the movies over the years. There is nobody better and more experienced than this incredible talent, who has lent his body, face and expertise to some of the greatest modern film-making successes of all time.
His first major job was as one of the Ninjas descending from ropes in the 1967 James Bond adventure YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE in the amazing Blofeld volcano set which was specially erected on the Pinewood Studios lot. His work on 007 also included the likes of ON HER MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE (1969), several of the Pierce Brosnan Bonds – and even to the degree of working on the rogue 1983 THUNDERBALL remake, NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN, in which his wife Wendy can be seen as the woman who stabs Sean Connery during the title credit sequence of that film.
Vic and Wendy Armstrong have also been a solid team on blockbusters like SUPERMAN (1978) and SUPERMAN II (1980), when they doubled for the late Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder during the helicopter rescue in the former – and the epic battle of Metropolis in the latter.
However, Vic Armstrong’s most famous contribution was being stunt double for Harrison Ford on three of the Indiana Jones films, RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981), INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM (1984) and INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE (1989). Famously, it was his doubling work on the second film in 1983 when Harrison Ford injured his back which enabled director Steven Spielberg to complete the film.
He can also be glimpsed as the driver of the London double-decker bus from this key sequence in John Landis‘ AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON (1981)
The backstory of these and many other great stunt tales over the years can be read about and enjoyed in Vic’s official biography, THE WORLD’S GREATEST STUNTMAN. His work is very much a family affair, with two sons and a daughter and he has worked his way up through the ranks to become a formidable second-unit director, now well personified and justified with his guidance and tutelage to the principal cast and crew on the fantastic EDDIE THE EAGLE.
Do spare a thought for this man when you see the film – and afterwards as well. The biography also reveals some of those key moments and techniques that have defined the great action moments – not to mention how to stay safe in the line of film-making duty. If anything, you gain far more respect for what he and his team of film-makers do (something he feels there should be recognition for as everyone on a film set is there to tell a story and realize a vision for a director).
