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Author
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Topic: Diamonds Are Forever trivia confusion
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Fastback68
Gearhead Posts: 4511
From: Sucat, Paranaque, Philippines
Registered: Jul 99
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posted 11-14-2006 11:47 AM
 
I just watched this Bond movie and paid close attention to the exit from the dead end, with the Mach 1 on its side. I'd been hearing how the Mach enters riding on the passenger side and comes out on the driver's side. What I hadn't heard was that there are a few seconds in between, inside the car, where Bond and Tiffany are seen leveling out.
So what I thought was supposed to be a huge continuity cockup maybe has a more interesting story?
Either the car was originally supposed to be flipping from one side to the other while travelling through the alleyway, or - more likely, I think - editors spotted the cock-up after filming the scene, and filmed an extra scene inside the car with it leveling out to try and cover their asses.
Anyone know? I'm guessing this has been discussed a gazillion times without me knowing 
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mach1mike
Gearhead Posts: 135
From: UK
Registered: Apr 2004
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posted 11-14-2006 01:21 PM
Have a look at this site-http://www.people.freenet.de/pony/bond.htm Some other great info on there as well. Heres a picture I took of one of the alley cars thats displayed her in the UK-  [This message has been edited by mach1mike (edited 11-14-2006).]
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cobravenom71
Gearhead Posts: 1349
From: Poinciana, Fl USA
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 11-14-2006 04:29 PM
Your assumption was esentially correct: The beginning of the scene entering the alleyway was filmed in the city streets of LA near the studios. The actual car going up the ramp was filmed in a studio, driven by 'Buzz' Bundy, a stunt driver with 'Joie Chitwood's Thrill Show'.
The exiting scene was then in front of the 'Pioneer' casino was filmed on location and was also done by Bundy, and on the 'correct' wheels(the passenger wheels).
Unfortunately, the crowds gathered around to watch the filming in Las Vegas showed up on film and the footage was deemed unusable some months later. The decison was to return and film the exiting scene again, with better crowd control.
Unfortunately, the stunt team that originally did the stunt was no longer available at the time, and the only other stunt team that could do it at the time was a french stunt team, so they were hired.
The french driver rolled four cars trying to do the stunt on the passenger wheels, which was not the way he was used to doing it. So the 2nd-unit director said to do it on the opposite wheels and said they would 'fix it in post'.
The "Lean over" scene of James Bond and Tiffany Case was quickly filmed and inserted to try and 'explain' the discrepancy.
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Fastback68
Gearhead Posts: 4511
From: Sucat, Paranaque, Philippines
Registered: Jul 99
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posted 11-15-2006 11:42 AM
Thanks guys! That makes me laugh! In great action movies, fans can be very forgiving about continuity, or even embrace the lapses. I mean, one of the reasons Bullitt fans LOVE the movie is because of that danged VW, not in spite of it.
It still surprises me the Frog replacement driver couldn't keep it on two (passenger side) wheels for the three seconds that were needed. I can see how it could be more difficult than the driver's side (not that I could dream of doing either!), but given an appropriate ramp to launch from, you'd think they'd have managed it.[This message has been edited by Fastback68 (edited 11-15-2006).]
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cobravenom71
Gearhead Posts: 1349
From: Poinciana, Fl USA
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 11-15-2006 01:07 PM
Well, believe it or not, up to that time, no one had ever been able to perform the 'two wheel tilt' (as Chitwwod called it), and it was a pretty amazing stunt for its day.
The stunt was develpoed specifically for the Bond film by Chitwood's team and the film's stunt director/2nd unit director Vic Armstrong.
The raw footage was very carefully guarded so that no 'sneak peeks' of the actual stunt would dilute the impact of it when the film opened in '71.
Chitwood's driver Bundy was thought to be the only driver capable of performing the stunt, but the frnch team (possibly a swiss team...I can't quite remember) claimed to be able and was hired out of desperation.
The first 2 cars rolled over were big-blocks and the driver said a small block car would be easier, so a couple small blocks were hastilly acquired. Another couple of accidents convinced them to just let the driver do it as best he could and get it done and over with.
Chgitwood's team was also responsible for the AMC Hornet that did a 'spiral' jump acrosss a broken bridge in the next Bond film, "The Man With The Golden Gun". Along with the 'Two-Wheel Tilt' that particular stunt was then made a part of Chitwood's travelling 'Thrill Show' and was called the 'Astro-Spiral'.
My father was an executive with Ford at the time, and with the Chitwood organization being based in Houston at the time (my home town), he was somehow closely involved with Chitwood's us of Fords in his thrill show. Consequently, I was able to see many of the shows and got to meet many of the Chitwoods as well as the other drivers on the team. Those guys were like some kind of super-heroes to me then. They used 71 Mustang fastbacks, Mavericks and even (believe it or not...)Pintos in thier shows, and it is probably one of the things that has cemented my love affair for that era of Fords for my whole life.
I wish there were still travelling thrill shows to go and see. I know my kids would love it. I like the Monster Truck shows, as do my kids, but it ain't the same.
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