Vic Armstrong Interview Part 1

When the definitive history of contemporary action films is written, the name Vic Armstrong will loom large. Despite the huge success afforded the high concept blockbusters he has worked on, though, this amiable Brit has remained quietly behind-the-scenes, and seems to prefer it that way. When Impact went to interview the dean of modern stuntmen at his Berkshire mansion, he modestly declined to have his picture taken for publication. "I look like a tramp...!", he demurred. "I always look like a tramp." Of course, he didn't. Instead, we had to root around for Vic photos in his memorabilia file, which consists of the top drawer in his saddleroom! Armstrong is an expert horseman, and once rode in the Grand National. It was actually his skills as an equestrian that first caused him to get involved in stuntwork. From his early days as a fall guy on British pictures, he has gone on to work as stunt arranger and second unit director for virtually every top action actor and director in the business. Part of his success may stem from the fact that, though he remains in awe of some of the stellar personalities he has worked with, he regards the nuts and bolts of his profession as "just a job". Recently, he applied the same sense of craftsmanship to his first directorial vehicle, The Joshua Tree, which will get a theatrical release in the U.K. later this year.

Though heavily involved in the latter stages of his second movie, Black Beauty, Vic took time out to talk to Impact about his vast experience within the action movie industry. The three part feature that follows can only give an indication of the debt that film fans owe to the true unsung hero of high concept...

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