Behind-the-Scenes with a Stunt Driver: Stunning Images from Rush Production
An exclusive collection of photos from the set of Rush
A Jacques Laffite Ligier and Jochen Mass McLaren lined up on the runway at Blackbushe Airport. This shot became Fuji in post-production
Andre D’Cruze
It’s not often that you get access to such a wealth of intriguing images from the set of a proper Hollywood production like Rush. But then, it helps if you know one of the stunt drivers…
Andre D’Cruze formed part of the Driving Wizards stunt crew during filming, and played a big role in many scenes of the film, even if you won’t have noticed him in person. He collected these images during the four-month shoot, and says: “It was the most amazing film to be involved with and we were nominated for a Silver Actors Guild award for stunt driving, which makes me very proud.
“Ralf Kelleners also drive in Rush and his father Helmut drove in the original Le Mans with Steve McQueen, which I always thought was a great fact! I’m still working as a precision and stunt driver to this day… if anybody needs one.”
Andre D’Cruze suited up as Clay Regazzoni aboard a Marlboro BRM P160. This was filmed at Longcross, but made to look like the Nürburgring
Andre D’Cruze
Vittorio Brambilla’s March 761-Ford under the Hawthorn Hill bridge at Brands Hatch. The cars were filmed on the Grand Prix look to look like Monza, and ran in both directions around the track. At the same time the crew also filmed aerial footage of Hunt and Mass on the Indy circuit
Andre D’Cruze
D’Cruze as Carlos Reutemann in a Ferrari 312T
Andre D’Cruze
A rigged-up McLaren on the Donington Park GP loop, with Ron Howard checking angles. This was the last few hours of filming on the last day of shooting. James Rhodes was driving as James Hunt and D’Cruze was in the mule camera car
Andre D’Cruze
Hunt’s McLaren being geared up for some green screen filming, allowing the special effects team to superimpose a new background
Andre D’Cruze
Stuntman James Rhodes did a lot of driving as Niki Lauda. He’s former MGF Cup and Formula First champion
Andre D’Cruze
A race start scene being filmed on the runway at Blackbushe. The great British weather helped replicate the sodden conditions of Fuji nicely. Note the crowd full of mannequins. It was a closed set with no spectators allowed
Andre D’Cruze
At Blackbushe again, this time for the mixed-conditions start of the German GP. Note the rain machine on the crane in the background
Andre D’Cruze
Ron Howard with a Ferrari at Brands Hatch, deep in discussion about where to mount cameras with cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle
Andre D’Cruze
The Formula Ford Mygale camera car was nicknamed ‘The Mule’ and was provided and run by Rob Austin Racing. With Cameras mounted it would drive amongst the cars wheel-to-wheel. Sometimes choreographed and sometimes just sent out to get footage in the middle of race starts
Andre D’Cruze
Ferrari mechanics for Fuji on set at Blackbushe
Andre D’Cruze
The retro team support vehicles were a very popular addition, and added authenticity to the paddock scenes
Andre D’Cruze
The retro team support vehicles were a very popular addition, and added authenticity to the paddock scenes
Andre D’Cruze
Mounts on the Niki Ferrari at Brands Hatch on the Grand Prix Circuit
Andre D’Cruze