12 great movies directed by former stunt people you can watch at home

With the release of Netflix’s Day ShiftJ.J. Perry made his directorial debut with “The Stunt Coordinator’. We thought it was a smart idea to take a look at other movies directed by past stuntmen. Perry is just the latest of many stuntmen who made it behind the camera. He’s worked his way up from stunt person to stunt coordinator to second unit director (often tasked with shooting the action in movies) and now, for the first time, just “director.” Even if you didn’t realize it, you’ve probably enjoyed his work. Perry performed stunts. Blade, Iron Man Django UnchainedDirected action in films like Warrior, SpyPlease see the following: F9: The Fast Saga. The majority of other people on the list did their jobs in similar ways, so when the opportunity came to direct they took it.

You might assume stunt people would have a natural eye for good action, and while that isn’t always true, these 12 films help make the case that more stunt people should be directors. This list doesn’t include stunt people who became performers and directors at the same time, so even though they are legends, there won’t be any Buster Keaton, Jackie Chan, or Sammo Hung films here. Also, you will notice a lack of female directors. You will also notice a distinct lack of female directors in this industry. This is beyond the reach of the list. However, I strongly recommend watching the excellent documentary The Untold Hollywood Story of StuntwomenYou can watch the movie “The Assassination of Gianni Versace” for free on Tubi and Vudu. Let’s continue the list.

Smokey and the Bandit (77)

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

Hal Needham is a vital member of any list of directors and stunt performers. Needham started his career in TV Westerns. He spent much of his youth doubling Clint Eastwood’s and Burt Reynolds. These connections enabled Needham to move into directorial work. Smokey and the Bandit, starring Reynolds as a bootlegger trying to keep Jackie Gleason’s sheriff distracted by leading him on chases so his partner can transport beer. Needham fills this film with wall to wall car chases and crashes. This is a technique he would use in the future. Cannonball Run. Needham became such a Hollywood institution that Quentin Tarantino based Brad Pitt’s Hollywood: Once Upon a Time Cliff Booth plays a significant part in Needham’s character and Reynolds’ friendship.

Smokey and the Bandit It is also available for purchase or rental on digital VOD platforms.

Redemption: Undisputed III (2010)

Image from New Line Home Video

The Undisputed ThirdIsaac Florentine, director of The Director’s Dilemma was born in Israel and began his career doing stunts there. Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers After he moved to the United States, Florentine is the best example of someone who has an eye for action. The Undisputed ThirdIt is his greatest work. Florentine, which stars Scott Adkins the legendary martial artist and DTV legend, pushes Adkins to the limits, and highlights his gravity-defying kicks like no one else. Florentine uses Marko Zaror from Chile as the antagonist. The end result is one of the 21st century’s best martial arts films.

Three Undisputed: Redemption It is also available digitally for rental and purchase via VOD platforms.

Broken Path (2008)

TriCoast Worldwide

Power RangersWhen it comes to fighting coordinators and great stunt work, this farm is truly an undiscovered gem. Koichi Samoto is the leader of this outstanding group. Sakamoto and his Alpha Stunts team helped create the image of Power RangersFighting scenes and was the coordinator of the all-mighty stunt teamDrive(1997) (a movie Perry performed stunt work in). After DrivingSakamoto tried his hand in directing and was pleased with the outcome. Broken PathThe Wall-to-Wall fight, and stunt show. Former Power RangerJohnny Yong Bosh will take on any Sakamoto throws at him. He often reaches Jackie Chan levels in reckless disregard for his safety. Broken PathIt doesn’t work as a movie but it does stand tall as a demo reel of Alpha Stunts for 90 minutes.

Broken Path It is also available for viewing on YouTube.

John Wick, 1-3 (2014-2019).

Lionsgate image

Chad Stahelski is the successor to Hal Needham. He has been reinventing action for over a decade. Along with partner David Leitch, Stahelski’s company 87eleven Action Design has had wild success crafting action for everything from the MCU to low-budget DTV films. In 2014 however, John WickIt is its real calling card.

Gunplay and jiu jitsu were a refreshing change for action films that have been stagnated due to Bourne’s overediting. Keanu Reeves was a great star that Stahelski could trust to put in the effort and give his all for the film. Stahelski increased his focus on martial arts as the series progressed, including the addition of legends such as Keanu Reeves.Drive’s Mark Dacascos and Raid’s Yayan Ruhian and Cecep Arif Rahman.

John Wick, John Wick: Chapter 2.John Wick Chapter 3 – Parabellum All are available digitally for rental and purchase via VOD platforms.

Avengement (2019).

Image: Samuel Goldwyn Films

It’s hard not to have multiple Scott Adkins films on this list, since the man works with some of the best action directors in the business. Jesse V. Johnson had been a professional stuntman before he began directing his films. Over the years, Johnson’s films have varied in quality, but he’s always displayed a true authorial voice. I think this is Johnson’s best film. Adkins seeks revenge on his wrongly sentenced prisoner. Johnson approaches Adkins differently to Florentine. Johnson prefers to use Adkins for his brutally grounded martial arts rather than the high-flying ones. Adkins clearly enjoys being able to craft characters and do a hard knock. Adkins came to prominence for being the “human special effect,” but Johnson turns him into much more of a brawler in the Jason Statham mold, and Adkins proves in the final pub brawl he’s a multidimensional film fighter. Adkins can be viewed as the “human special effect.” The truth is indisputable’s Boyka, you need to see what he can do under Johnson’s assured direction.

Avengement It is now available on Netflix.

Blindsided: The Game (2018)

Image: Jacobus Barber Productions

A bit of a different choice here since it’s a 45-minute short and not a feature, but when the film is directed by Clayton J. Barber, it has to be included. Barber is most notable for coming in as the stunt coordinator for season two of Netflix’s Iron FistSeason 1’s reception was not warm enough. Season 1 was choppy, flat. Barber raised them by getting the actors to do all the hard work, and then shooting the scenes in clean, long takes. Barber made the show far more enjoyable and helped Jessica Henwick become a superstar.

To Blindsided: The GameBarber joined forces with Eric Jacobus (a stuntman/director) to share a tale about a blind person with special abilities who must help his friend get out of trouble with mobsters. Part Zatoichi, part Jackie Chan-style comedy, Blindsided: The Game For its very short time, it entertains thoroughly.

Blindside: The Game It is also available for viewing on YouTube.

Angel Has Fallen (2019)

Jack English/Lionsgate Photo

I’m not the biggest fan of the first two Has Fallen movies, in particular London Has Fallen. Action is a bit sloppy and politics can be muddy at best. That’s what makes Angel Has FallenIt was a surprise delight.

Director Ric Roman Waugh dials back the xenophobia and dials up the character work for Gerard Butler’s Mike Banning. Instead of the unstoppable machine he was in the first two films, Banning is reckoning with his age and the damage he’s done to his body while repeatedly saving the president. Waugh brings the action, and Waugh even pulls off an incredible drone attack to set the plot in motion. Waugh presents the drones as an invading plague or locusts and gives the film a very different feel than the other films.

Angel Has Fallen It is also available digitally for rental and purchase via VOD platforms.

Action Jackson (1988).

Warner Home Video

Craig R. Baxley, a former stuntman, made the switch to directing. He then went on to produce three action-packed films with his crew. Action Jackson,Ich komme in FriedenPlease see the following: Stone Cold. One of the three Action JacksonThis is why I love it so much: Carl Weathers finally got his star vehicle.

Weathers is a master of this. It’s not an exaggeration to say Baxley gives Weathers maybe the best introduction of all time in the film (trust me, it’s best to see it without knowing what’s coming), and then Weathers takes it from there. He is also seen wearing a shirtless grenade launcher. I’m just saying.

Baxley lived in an era where stunts weren’t practical, but still manages Weathers getting his sports car up three flights stairs. Craig T. Nelson plays the role of the villain and Vanity shares a great chemistry.

Action Jackson It is also available digitally for rental and purchase via VOD platforms.

Born to Fight (2004)

Image: Dragon Dynasty

Panna Rittikrai has been a hero in Thai cinema. He was a stuntman, coordinator and director who helped to put Thai action movies on top.Muay Thai Warrior Ong Bak The Protector.

Rittikrai often directed films as well. His most popular film, however, is his 2004 movie. Many Thai Olympic athletes must band together when terrorists attempt to take control of a village. Lead Dan Chupong was billed as the next Jaa, and while he lacks Jaa’s charisma, his moves might even be better. Rittikrai has all the tricks in his arsenal for this challenge. As great as Chupong is, the real highlight is an action scene where all the athletes use their particular talents to fight back, whether it’s soccer, basketball, or something else. It’s the perfect kind of unhinged action that made Thai action cinema such a force in the early 2000s.

You were born to fight You can digitally purchase it on Apple TV

Hydra (2019)

Image: Hi-Yah!

Kensuke Sonomura has quickly become one of the most in-demand action designers and choreographers in Japan, frequently doing action design for video game series including Resident Evil (where he’s worked on both games and animated movies) and the third and fourth Devil May Cry games. Sonomura is well-known for his extreme action. Resident Evil: Vendetta.

Sonomura takes a new direction for his directorial debut. Instead of dialing down the action, Sonomura opts to focus on a casual and more relaxed feel. It runs for a mere 79 minutes. Hydra The film is very slow. This is until the final scene in which Sonomura performs a hand to hand fight unlike any other action film. This film is brutally violent and fast. You can enjoy the peaceful vibes or stay for the intense fight.

Hydra You can watch it on Hi-Yah! for free with your library card from Hoopla or digitally rent or buy on VOD platforms.