Physics in Movies: The Blues Brothers & The Man With The Golden Gun

In summary, physics in movies seems unrealistic to me, and it seems like the filmmakers just don't bother to research realistic physical possibilities.
  • #1
ƒ(x) → ∞
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Is it just me or does physics seem unrealistic when involved in movies?

I have two examples: The Blues Brothers (with a classic scene) and the James Bond Classic The Man With The Golden Gun

The Blues Brothers Problem

The clip I will be talking about is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yil9wlfa0yo&NR=1"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yil9wlfa0yo&NR=1

In the Blues Brothers movie, Elwood tries to convince Jake that his car is great and then proceeds to perform an incredible stunt of jumping over half-opened 95th Street drawbridge over Calumet River in Chicago.

But was this possible?

I suppose my goal would be to construct a model based on this event. I have done some research and have came up with the following facts about the situation.

  • The rive width between bridgeheads is 60m
  • There is 50m between the starting point and the ramp inwhich speed can be built up
  • The car is a Dodge Monaco Sedan of length l=5.75 m and wheelbase d=3.10 m, weights w=2000 kg and has P=260 kW of power at its disposal. For this we must assume that the car is symmetrical and is of uniform weight distribution
  • At the moment of the jump the bridge decks are lifted by an unknown angle which is close to 45 (Angle [tex]\varpi[/tex])
  • And finally the velocity at the moment of the jump is unknown

(1)To check if it is possible I suggest that we calculate if there is enough power available to accelerate the car to a speed high enough to make a jump
(2)And to check if the tilt motion, caused by the fact that for a short time front wheels are not supported and rear ones are still on the ramp, can be matched to an angle of the second ramp so the landing is safe

It will be interesting to see if it is possible with these assumptions

The Man With The Golden Gun

The second situation that I am talking about is from what I consider a classic film The Man With The Golden Gun. I am not going to question the unreasonable physics involved with the laser beam, but rather the mechanics of the jump made half way through the film, which can be viewed below.

See if you can find the strange sound effect and the clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh0VF6s-UYU&feature=related"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh0VF6s-UYU&feature=related

I will leave the assumptions to you this time
 
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  • #3
Physics errors in movies? Next you're going to be telling me that animals can't really talk!
 
  • #4
I'm pretty damn sure that the jump in "The Man With the Golden Gun" was real.

 
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  • #5
How about the bus jump from 'Speed'?
 
  • #7
ƒ(x) → ∞ said:
Is it just me or does physics seem unrealistic when involved in movies?


And I suppose you want me to believe Iron Man really can't fly.
So what was that on my F-15 radar? And what about these videos?
http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2196046105/

...
 
  • #8
It's relatively easy to make a car jump over a large gap. The problem is in making sure that it is driveable after it has landed!
I remember hearing that in every episode of The Dukes of Hazard (quaint example) they had to use about half a dozen fresh cars in order to film the chases because each landing would take out the suspension completely.
 

What is the role of physics in the movie The Blues Brothers?

In The Blues Brothers, physics plays a crucial role in many action scenes, such as the famous car chase scene. The laws of motion are demonstrated as the cars accelerate, decelerate, and turn, and the concept of inertia is shown as objects and people inside the car move in different directions when the car changes its speed or direction. Additionally, the movie showcases the principle of conservation of energy as the characters use musical instruments and their voices to create powerful sound waves that break glass and destroy objects.

How does The Blues Brothers use physics to create comedic moments?

The movie also uses physics to create comedic moments, such as when the car falls apart and reassembles itself after jumping over a bridge. This scene plays with the concept of structural integrity and demonstrates the effects of gravity and air resistance on falling objects. The exaggerated physics in this scene adds to the humor of the movie.

What role does physics play in the iconic car scene in The Man With The Golden Gun?

In The Man With The Golden Gun, physics is heavily featured in the iconic car stunt scene where James Bond performs a 360-degree corkscrew jump over a river. This scene demonstrates the principles of projectile motion, as the car must have a specific speed and angle to successfully complete the jump. It also shows the effects of air resistance and gravity on the car's trajectory.

How does The Man With The Golden Gun use physics in its fight scenes?

The movie also uses physics in its fight scenes, particularly with the use of weapons and gadgets. For example, Bond's golden gun is designed to fold and fit into a cigarette case, showing the concept of compact objects and the importance of weight distribution for balance and accuracy. The movie also showcases the principles of force and momentum as characters use weapons and objects to push and knock down their opponents.

What scientific concepts are showcased in The Blues Brothers and The Man With The Golden Gun?

Both movies showcase a variety of scientific concepts, including the laws of motion, energy conservation, projectile motion, and structural integrity. They also demonstrate how these concepts can be applied in real-life situations, such as car chases and stunts, as well as in everyday objects and gadgets. These movies serve as entertaining examples of how physics plays a role in our daily lives and in the world of action and adventure.

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