If you’re a fan of the holiday classic movie “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” you’ll probably remember the iconic sled scene where Clark Griswold, played by Chevy Chase, takes a wild ride down a snowy hill on a metal saucer. But have you ever wondered how they managed to film that scene? Let’s take a closer look.
The Making of the Sled Scene
Location: First things first, the filmmakers needed to find the perfect location for the sled scene. They settled on a quiet street in Breckenridge, Colorado which had an ideal slope for filming.
The Sled: The sled used in the scene was specially designed for this movie. It was made of aluminum and had two handles on each side for Chevy Chase to hold onto during filming. The sled also had a small motor attached to it which helped it gain speed quickly.
The Stunt Double: While Chevy Chase did most of his own stunts in the movie, he did have a stunt double for some of the more dangerous scenes. For the sled scene, professional stuntman Scott H. Eddo was brought in to do some of the more risky maneuvers.
The Filming Process
The Hill: To create the illusion that Clark Griswold was sledding down an enormous hill, filmmakers used several different camera angles and techniques. They filmed on a relatively small slope but made it appear larger by using wide-angle lenses and shooting from low angles.
The Speed: To achieve breakneck speeds during filming, they used a combination of methods. Firstly there was Scott H. Eddo who rode on skis behind Chevy Chase while holding onto ropes attached to his sled to help give him an extra push.
Secondly, they attached cables to the sled which were pulled by snowmobiles to help it gain even more speed. Finally, they used a crane-mounted camera to capture the action from above.
The Final Cut: After filming was completed, the editing team pieced together all the footage and added sound effects to enhance the experience. The result was a thrilling scene that has become one of the most memorable moments in Christmas movie history.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the sled scene in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation was no easy feat to film. It required careful planning, skilled stuntmen, and innovative camera techniques to create the illusion of an enormous hill and breakneck speeds. But all that hard work paid off in the end as it remains one of the most beloved scenes in holiday movie history.