Celebrating the Birth of the Modern Stunt Industry

Happy Birthday to one of the original Stunt Professionals, born on 20 April 1893! Without this hero, things would be very different

Stunts in film have been thrilling audiences for over a century. From silent films to modern-day blockbusters, stunt performers have been risking their lives to bring excitement and drama to the big screen.

The earliest recorded stunt in film history was performed in 1903 by Harold Lloyd in the silent comedy short, “Inferno.” Lloyd performed a dangerous stunt where he hung from a clock tower, captivating audiences and setting a new standard for film stunts.

Throughout the 1910s and 1920s, stunt performers continued to push the boundaries of what was possible on film. These daredevils performed death-defying stunts such as jumping from buildings and cars, and performing stunts with horses and motorcycles.

As films became more technologically advanced in the 1930s and 1940s, stunts became even more daring and impressive. Pioneers such as Yakima Canutt and stunt coordinator Dar Robinson raised the bar with stunts like high falls, car chases, and complex fight scenes.

The 1970s and 1980s marked a new era in stunt work with the rise of action films like “James Bond” and “Indiana Jones.” These films featured some of the most dangerous and memorable stunts in film history, including car chases, explosions, and physical fights.

With the advent of computer-generated imagery (CGI) in the 1990s and 2000s, stunts became even more spectacular and larger than life. CGI allowed filmmakers to create stunts that would have been impossible to perform in real life, further blurring the line between reality and fantasy on the big screen.

Today, stunts in film continue to captivate audiences and push the boundaries of what is possible in film. From high-speed car chases to complex wire work, stunt performers continue to bring excitement and thrills to the big screen.

To wrap that up in a simple idea ... the history of stunts in film is a testament to the bravery and creativity of stunt performers and filmmakers. Their work has captivated audiences for over a century and will continue to do so for generations to come.