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Fatal Termination - WTF?


kungfusamurai

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kungfusamurai

I haven't heard of this film before, so I was surprised to find out it was a Moon Lee film. I thought I had gotten my hands on pretty much all of her modern actioners, except the Iron Angels stuff.

I looked on youtube to see what it was all about, and I came across this insane stunt scene. It's probably the worst thing I've seen, next to the killing of animals.

Does anyone know the story behind it? I can tell the girl was hanging probably from some kind of harness attached to some kind of pole that was dressed up to look like an arm. But it doesn't look to me like they undercranked the speed of the car. They must have been doing 40 or 50mph at least with that girl hanging like that. If that happened in America, I think everyone on the film production would have gone to jail.

g6c8eZy5bgY

KFS

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i loved this movie, great action scenes (the one with the little girls is awesome :wink: )!

i dunno the speed of the car (i think it was speed up though), but the girl was really hanging out of the car.. totally awesome :bigsmile:

i bought the hk dvd, decent quality

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The Running Man

That is quite crazy and that's quite a brave little girl.

I forgot, but was this the movie where the only way to get a full uncut version of it was of a German DVD?

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silver hermit

great film!!!! calm down dude its not that bad

I haven't heard of this film before, so I was surprised to find out it was a Moon Lee film. I thought I had gotten my hands on pretty much all of her modern actioners, except the Iron Angels stuff.

I looked on youtube to see what it was all about, and I came across this insane stunt scene. It's probably the worst thing I've seen, next to the killing of animals.

Does anyone know the story behind it? I can tell the girl was hanging probably from some kind of harness attached to some kind of pole that was dressed up to look like an arm. But it doesn't look to me like they undercranked the speed of the car. They must have been doing 40 or 50mph at least with that girl hanging like that. If that happened in America, I think everyone on the film production would have gone to jail.

g6c8eZy5bgY

KFS

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kungfusamurai

If she was a short person (i.e dwarf or midget), or had one doubling for her, I wouldn't have a problem. But you can clearly see they have a young girl dangling from the rig from the car. There's a reason why children aren't doing stunts in movies - because they cannot give consent the way an adult can. And that's because they don't understand the dangers they could face when asked to do a stunt.

If she was backwards, that might have made things easier for her, but you see her facing forward, and at points, she's covering her eyes like she's really crying or freaked out. Stuff was probably flying in her face as the car was speeding along. Who knows if her parents were even aware of it.

Either way, I'm glad this was the only movie ever to attempt this, and I hope it never happens again.

KFS

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TibetanWhiteCrane

little Chan Cheuk Yan appeared in several movies in the late 80's-early 90's like On The Run, Wild Search etc. and always "took abuse" as the little girl in peril. But I highly doubt she was ever in any real danger. The stunt in Fatal Termination is awesome, and obviously undercranked. And as you said, she was strapped in a harness from a metal suspension bar, doubling as Mike Abbots arm. It looks insane, but im sure it was quite safe.

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silver hermit

a long time ago i heard that one of her parents was involed in the production. either a stunt person or action director but the old brain fails me right now. perhaps T or mike leeder can shed more light on this.

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It looks insane, but im sure it was quite safe.
I don't think that's a good assumption. HK film makers often played fast and loose with safety back then. We can just be glad she wasn't injured as far as we know, we have this amazing footage to watch, and HK filmmakers would now film her on a set against a green screen.
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LittleDragon

I gotta say, IMO...To put a little girl through that for a movie stunt.is taking things to FAR!!

NO WAY should the little girl have gone through that, they shouldnt of got away with it.PERIOD!!

OUT OF ORDER IN MY BOOK....

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Reel Power Stunts

The scene in question is covered in some detail in Stefan Hammond's "Hollywood East" book. Ridley Tsui, who worked on the film, is quoted, remembering the girl to be safe and content throughout filming. I agree it looks crazy.

In the UK, Health & Safety Law forbids children from performing stunts, but I saw a similar setup (kid in harness, wired to moving vehicle) used for a music video where a child out-runs a galloping horse.

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The Amazing Psycho Per

I fully agree that it is morally reprehensible but, the scene is obviously undercranked... Look at the women on the hood movements and the kid's legs. Still, it just seems wrong...

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TibetanWhiteCrane

Chan Cheuk Yan turned out fine, despite her "harrowing" experiences in HK cinema. (photo circa 2016).

 

chancheukyanadult.jpg

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I would be totally against filming such a scene today but as an insane stunt of an over 30 Hong Kong actioner I'm able to enjoy it and be amazed by it, especially since it seems everything went well.

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TibetanWhiteCrane

Ridley Tsui explained the various safety precausions and other details around the stunt in an interview. Also that Chan Cheuk Yan's mom always was on set with her and of course had the right to to put a stop to anything she wasn't comfortable with her child doing and that Chan herself also was asked etc. Obviously he has to say that, and it might be true, partially true or mostly bull, who knows. 

I dearly wish someone would find Chan and interview her now that's she's in her 30's and ask about her experiences making movies. She was probably one of the best child actors of HK cinema just based on her emoting, reactions and actual acting sensibilities. In Wild Search and Casino Raiders 2, especially, she gives some fine little performances way beyond her years. Whenever she died in one of her films it really felt truly heartbreaking, whereas most other HK child actors usually annoy me and I'm happy to see them go :) 

Edited by TibetanWhiteCrane
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