Mind-Blowing Movie Stunts Ever Executed by Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible

Tom Cruise is one of the most iconic movie stars of our time, known for his ability to captivate audiences with his charisma and talent. But perhaps what he is most famous for is his daring and death-defying stunts in the Mission Impossible franchise. Cruise has always been a fearless performer, pushing the boundaries of what is possible on the big screen, and in the Mission Impossible movies, he has taken that to a whole new level. From hanging off the side of a plane to free climbing the world’s tallest building, Cruise has performed some of the most mind-blowing stunts ever seen in cinema. In this article, we will take a look at some of the mind-blowing movie stunts ever executed by tom cruise in Mission Impossible, and explore what makes them so awe-inspiring.

Free climbing the Burj Khalifa

Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol is widely considered to be one of the greatest action movies of all time, largely due to its breathtaking stunts. One of the most memorable scenes involves Tom Cruise’s character, Ethan Hunt, scaling the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, in Dubai using gecko gloves. The stunt was filmed using IMAX cameras and required Cruise to climb a height of over 518 meters. Director Brad Bird revealed that the scene resulted in nearly 35 broken windows, and the building’s owners reluctantly agreed to the stunt on the condition that any broken windows would be replaced exactly as they were. Despite the risks and challenges, the scene remains a high point of the entire franchise and a testament to Cruise’s dedication and fearlessness.

High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) skydive

In Mission: Impossible — Fallout, Tom Cruise performed yet another death-defying stunt that involved 106 skydives and a broken ankle. The scene in question required a High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) skydive, which is a specialized technique used by military paratroopers. Cruise, who insisted on performing the stunt himself without a double, had to wear a clear helmet with lights to show his face while performing the dive. The scene involved Ethan and CIA operative August Walker jumping out of a C-17 plane over Paris at dusk while being struck by lightning. Filming the scene was challenging as several cameramen were hesitant to film it, but skydiver Craig O’Brian ultimately stepped up to carry the camera on his head while skydiving alongside Cruise.

Holding his breath for 6 minutes

One of the most impressive stunts performed by Tom Cruise in the Mission: Impossible franchise is the underwater scene in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation. In the scene, Cruise’s character Ethan Hunt has to dive into a water tank and hold his breath for six minutes to retrieve a crucial item. The stunt was not only physically demanding but also required intense mental preparation and training. Cruise worked with a diving expert to build up his lung capacity and practice breathing techniques to achieve the feat. While the scene was filmed with the help of safety divers and a specially designed air tank hidden in the set, Cruise’s ability to hold his breath for such a long time is still remarkable. The scene has become a defining moment in the franchise and serves as a testament to Cruise’s dedication and commitment to delivering jaw-dropping stunts that push the boundaries of what’s possible in cinema.

Strapped onto an Airbus 400

One of the most daring stunts in the Mission: Impossible franchise was the scene in which Tom Cruise hangs onto the side of an Airbus A400M as it takes off in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation. The scene was shot at RAF Wittering airbase in the UK, and Cruise was actually strapped onto the plane. The visual effects used were minimal, with the only VFX involved being the removal of the wires that held Cruise to the aircraft.

To ensure Cruise’s safety, he was fitted with a full-body harness and securely fastened to the aircraft through its door. An aluminium truss inside the plane held all the cables, and Cruise wore a special contact lens to protect his eyes from the strong winds. Cameras were placed inside the plane, and a helicopter flying alongside captured the scene. According to the film’s director of photography, Robert Elswit, the plane was flying at over 100 knots during takeoff and was up in the air for 6-8 minutes before landing. The scene is a testament to Cruise’s dedication to delivering thrilling stunts and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in cinema.

Intense bike sequences

One of the distinguishing features of the Mission: Impossible films are their adrenaline-pumping bike sequences, and the one set in Morocco is undoubtedly one of the best. In this scene, Tom Cruise showcases his exceptional skills as he performs some of the most dangerous stunts with ease.After BMW vehicles were introduced in Mission: Impossible— Ghost Protocol, they made a comeback in this film. During filming, a BMW M3 was entirely wrecked before the protagonist jumped on a black BMW S1000RR. A lengthy chase sequence ensues that dominates the streets of the Moroccan desert. With bullets flying past the hero, an intense emergency brake, and motorcycles darting through the lanes around the Atlas Mountains, the scene, which also includes Ilsa, is a real nail-biter.

A knife just a few millimeters away from Ethan’s retina

Although the John Woo-directed film may not have been well-received by critics and audiences, it features one of the most unsettling stunt scenes that actor-producer Tom Cruise has ever done. In the final fight sequence, antagonist Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott) attempts to stab Ethan’s eye with a knife. Despite the proximity of the weapon, Ethan manages to evade it and prevent it from causing any harm.

Some may assume that the scene was created using CGI, but given that it is a Tom Cruise film, authenticity is paramount. Despite concerns from producers, a real knife was used and hung from an overhead bar. This allowed Ambrose to use his full strength during the attack while keeping the knife at a predetermined distance, which had been measured beforehand. The scene is a testament to Cruise’s dedication to realism and his willingness to perform challenging stunts for the sake of a believable and captivating cinematic experience.

Helicopter chase

In Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Tom Cruise performed one of his most daring stunts yet, piloting a helicopter through the mountains while being chased by another helicopter. The scene was shot in the mountains of New Zealand, and according to director Christopher McQuarrie, it was one of the most difficult stunts to film in the entire movie. Cruise, who is a licensed pilot, underwent extensive training to prepare for the scene, which involved him maneuvering the helicopter in tight spaces and flying it at high speeds.

To make the scene even more thrilling, the filmmakers added a dramatic moment where Cruise’s character, Ethan Hunt, leaps out of the helicopter and clings to a cliff edge. The scene required a lot of coordination between the actors and the stunt team, as well as a carefully choreographed camera setup to capture all the action. In the end, the result was a heart-stopping sequence that left audiences on the edge of their seats.

Also Read: Top 10 Movies of Steven Spielberg