Ett oväntat fel har inträffat. by null

Ett oväntat fel har inträffat. Reviews

• 
  Rich Martini

  Fantastic book and adventure story. Vic Armstrong takes us from the Queen's stables to the Oscars in the most amazing adventure ride that touches on some of the greatest cinematic stunts in movie history over the past 40 years. This is a must read for any film student or film class, as it takes the reader behind the scenes into the world of filmmaking, and problem solving. The book is interspersed with quotes from some of the famous names in cinema history, Lucas, Spielberg, Angelina, all putting in their two cents about working with the legendary Vic Armstrong. I had the pleasure of working with him on a film (Salt) and had no clue that he had done so much in his lifetime. I knew he was the famous stuntman of the Indiana Jones and Bond films, but had no idea the amazing scope of the adventure he's been on. I was fascinated by these stories of his family, the stories of his love of horses, and the journey he takes us on. He once gave me great advice; no matter how far your job takes you from your family, spend a least one weekend a month with them however you can find a way to do that. I'm grateful for the advice. This book is a rare glimpse into the rarefied world of stunts and behind the scenes making of epic films, iconic stunts, but it's also an excellent memoir from a man who is universally loved by everyone who has come across his path. Required reading for any serious cinephile, student of film history or lover of cinema.
• 
  pattk77

  I enjoyed the book, some areas than others. Each movie that Vic worked on is like a small chapter in the book where he gives his details, and memories of the work he did on each film. He's honest too which is cool cause you get to hear about the beef he had with certain directors and actors and to be honest, this is my favorite stuff to read. You realize some directors don't have a clue about the business as they were fired during production. Vic Armstrong was the go to guy for all major movies. Vic is frank, funny and a joy to read. You really root for him when times got tuff. He seems like a guy you could have a beer with and tell old stories. Vic talks about two of my favorite movies also, the Indiana Jones series and Superman The Movie. He also reveals the special fx tricks and rigs they used with great detail, though I still can't figure them out in my head technically without a visual. But, it's nice he took the time to explain them. He tells some funny/dangerous tales throughout while working on sets. A good read if your a fan of behind the scenes work in movies.
• 
  Denise Paolucci

  Deeply entertaining series of anecdotes about a deeply entertaining life. Armstrong is exactly the kind of dude you want to sit down and have a beer with just to listen to all his stories, and the ghostwriter managed to capture the feeling of doing exactly that. This isn't a technical manual for how they do movie stunts (although there is some of that in places as Armstrong describes various setups he's particularly proud of) it's a string of "no sh!t, no sh!t, there I was" stories that will leave you appreciating the men and women who work behind the scenes (and occasionally in front of the camera) to make movies look good and action stars look invincible.
• 
  Madmax

  I think what I liked about the book is that it almost read like a diary. This is both a weakness and a strength. A strength is that it feels like there is a constant narrative going on with one event leading into the other, where you can measurably follow his career path. The weakness being is that this book could have been tightened up a bit to help with the pacing and flow. This is not necessarily bad because it felt like one of those instances where you are listening to someone tell a tale.
  
  I would be very interested if this title is ever revised to add background stories, particularly the shenanigans of the stuntmen. Yes we are told that this happened, but we were never given too many details in some cases. I am going to assume this is to protect the innocent :). That and I would be interested in Raiders stories, but hey, that's just me.
  
  On a personal note, Vic, if I ever get the chance to meet you, I would love to shake your hand and get your autograph because I never realized how many of the movies you worked on were a part of my childhood, and for that, I thank you sir.
• 
  Robert Yordan

  The book autobiographical life and career of stuntman Vic Armstrong. The man who doubled for James Bond, Superman and Indiana Jones.
• 
  SR

  Fun, breezy tales of his life as a stuntman/stunt coordinator. Taught me loads about second unit direction and the life of a stuntman, which is exactly what I wanted to read about. It's pretty clear this is a collection of Vic talking to the writer, but it works just fine. If anything, I wanted it to be up to date (as I think Vic's still working).
• 
  Kevin Tesh

  I didn't know what to expect when I purchased this book. We met Mr. Armstrong at a show and he was a very kind person who took the time to speak with us and sign a picture for our 12 year old daughter. His demeanor belied the fact that he was a true star who has great wit and a tremendous insight to the movie industry. I definitely recommend his book, which relates the life of someone who has shaped the movies we love, and defines a great person who was content to work in the background and allow others to gather accolades.
• 
  Jerry

  Anyone interested in stuntwork that cannot find something interesting in this book is already dead and they just don't know it yet. The man is a living legend in the field; right up there with Hal Needham and Yakima Canutt.
• 
  pmov

  There's no doubt Vic Armstrong has worked on some of the world's most famous movies with some very famous artists and he has great stories to tell. The trouble is he has no skills at all as a writer. What we are forced to read is just a long list of anecdotes that have no sparkle at all to them due to heavy use of exclamation marks, poor grammar and a rather Alan Partridge like delivery method that, unlike Partridge, is completely irony free.
  
  Lines like, blimey, the stunt man is attractive than the star are self serving and not helped by the testimonials from various people (some famous, some not) scattered throughout and some readers might find the slightly sexist tone a bit off putting. This exercise in box ticking is all very blokey (if you like that sort of thing) and told in the way of a rather annoying person hogging the conversation in a crowded pub.
  
  You either have the knack for this sort of thing or you don't (which is why some people are better served by ghost writers) and Armstrong does not. I can tell from other reviews I'm in the minority here and, if you can put up with all this, the material is gold. If reading an auto biography that is well written with some charm and wit is important to you, avoid.
• 
  A. Marczak

  I've had mixed feelings about this book, which has intrigued and infuriated at times. On balance though, I think that if you have enjoyed the action movies of the last thirty years or , then there is plenty in here to read about.
  
  Firstly, the name dropping. There are times when Armstrong's casual references to legendary film stars was irritating in the extreme, not least because he would recount a story about him and a film star, and they are all great stories, but this would be followed up by "many years later when I met up with X at such and such awards, he immediately remembered the story, what a guy".
  
  This got repetitive after a while, but even so, the insight and (short) story telling than makes up for it. There are great moments of reflection when colleagues pass away on the job, or when close shaves bring things back into context. There are comedy stories of narrow escapes and brushes with the law, there are experiences of life in the depths of Mafia ridden Colombia, and of course there are the descriptions of how he (and others) pulled off those amazing fight scenes and stunts from films such as Raiders Of The Lost Ark, Live And Let Die and countless others.
  
  There are unnecessary contributions from the likes of Lucas, Spielberg and Harrison Ford, as if to emphasise how much everyone likes Vic, I could have done without them in the chapters. Save them til the end, Vic. Having said that, the addition of pictures throughout the book, rather than just a glossy section in the middle, added interest and context to the stories themselves.
  
  A great book to read on your travels, or before you go to sleep at night, packed with short chapters that go through Armstrong's work, almost film by film.
• 
  55dazed55

  The author is quite iteresting earlier in the book during his stuntman years but unfortunately his move into second unit directing seemed so drain him of his personality. I bought this because it promised the 'adventures of the worlds greatest stuntman' but it eventually turns into the 'adventures of the worlds greatest second unit director who rose to the dizzying heights of action director despite everybody denying his natural and given ability to do so'. It is littered with self congratulatory soundbites offered (we assume) by this Hollywood Legend and that Famous Director. This tome ought to be re titled to something like 'Get Vic Armstrong here at once there is nobody else in the world who can do these impossible things that we want done. He must have dislocated shoulder blades gained from all the pats on the back he must have received from world class directors who were only too happy to know Saint Vic was just a phone call away. I am not doubting any truth in the book and am quite sure it is a riveting read for plenty of other people who are in careers that cannot function without them.
• 
  CJ

  There's little doubt that Vic Armstrong is very good at what he does. The list of credits in the back of his autobiography spell this out loud and clear. With his impressive history I was looking forward to this book. And it's OK, but not quite what I was expecting.
  
  One thing that becomes very clear as the book goes along, is that there's Vic's way and then there's the wrong way. Mr Armstrong has his opinion, and everybody knows it. Having worked his way up to second unit director, he also often gives the impression that he has had a hand in key scenes in a lot of big movies. And I'm sure he has, it's just you get the feeling that Vic feels if he hadn't been there, the whole thing would have been a disaster.
  
  I would have liked some detail on how he became a stuntman and learnt his trade, but there is very little on this, and a LOT of time spent on what locations were like and how completely MAD the stunt crew are (i.e. they get drunk frequently). Amusingly, a few little jealousies and grudges seep through, although generally Vic seems to get along OK and has certainly enjoyed his career to date. And he looks a bit like Harrison Ford (you'll pick up on this in a few of the chapters!).
  
  As the book is unevenly paced, you often end up with intricate detail on a stunt in a lesser known film whilst big blockbusters are rushed through. Or you get loads of information on accomodation, sicknesses on set, parties and the like, and precious little on filming of the movie itself. As I said, a bit uneven.
  
  I'm probably being too harsh. At many times The World's Greatest Stuntman is an entertaining read and does give a good insight into the world of stuntwork and making things happen on film. Vic's personality (warts and all) is clear and present and as a guide through some of the biggest action films in the last 40 years, it mostly works.
• 
  Scrooge McDuck

  He might jump an open drawbridge, or Tarzan from a vine, but he's the unknown stunt man that makes Connery look so fine.
  
  If your very strange, like me, you might be the kind of person who watches ALL of movie credits and memorizes names. One such name that pops up frequently is Vic Armstrong. Got a load of action movies in your collection? Just take a look and see how many Vic has had a hand in. He may mostly play second banana to the artistic director, though he's come close to fully directing many big titles. It hasn't happenedyet. And with the exception of Joshua Tree, it's a dream he has still to realize. One has to wonder how differently the space time continuum would have turned out had Vic been able to become a big time director sooner.
  
  Despite the words 'World's Greatest' being in the title Vic Armstrong only ever wanted to be a steeplechase jockey. But I guess none of us knows where the life will take us. The path Vic eventually took proved to be filled with adventure, but his love of horses was his ticket to a lifetime of action.
  
  Told (mostly) in chronological order, detailing Vic's childhood through to present day, his life story is filled with chance and lucky encounters. Incredibly skilled he may well be, but being in the right place at the right time never ceases to be essential, and it's remarkable how often Vic managed to stay on the right side of fate.
  
  I always thought Vic Armstrong (or ANY stunt team for that matter) would be deadly serious and humorless, after all it IS a life and death job. But in his four decades plus as a stunt man he sure did get up to lots of mischief. From surviving four days on a mountain on popcorn, to brewing his own bootleg beer in a hotel room there are plenty of funny stories. I'm not easily shocked, though I have to admit that Vic's story of Oliver Reed's last minute revision of his would be scene in Cutthroat Island is so extreme that even Oliver Reed would be ashamed.
  
  Most people I know cannot even get important facts of their own lives correct going back a couple of years, never mind decades. But Vic perfectly recounts names, places, and such minute technical details. It's incredible.
  
  I've always found that biographies or lifetime achievement awards mean that your career is over. But at 64, Vic Armstrong is still hard at work, in what is now essentially a family business, giving us the biggest action and prettiest fireworks. Perhaps one day soon he'll make the long postponed transition to fully fledged director. I guess we'll have to wait and see, there's still plenty of time.