Massimo Vanni, king of stuntmen, reveals Brad Pitt’s Formula 1 stunts, Tom Cruise’s motorbike stunts and pays tribute to Giacomo Agostini… – MOW

land asbestos suits?

Whenever I had to catch fire in a scene, I wore a wet wool sweater underneath. Over the shirt is an asbestos suit, which today would be completely illegal for health reasons. Finally, on top of the costume, at least one size larger, stage costumes. Then, when we were ready… Engine, action, and we were set on fire! To warn our colleagues to come and put us out, we threw ourselves on the ground. Now there are very powerful gels for applying to the skin. They don’t last minutes, but fifteen to twenty seconds may be enough. Today’s overalls are much thinner than they used to be. Sorry, I realized I got distracted, can we get back to talking about motorcycles?

Definite.

Well, I’m the proud owner of a classic motorcycle, one Hydroconvert Guzzi 1000 1974, with whom I filmed several scenes Thomas Milian (probably it was the “Anti-theft squad.” Or maybe the “Anti-fraud squad,” I don’t remember now). I believe this model was more successful in the States than in Italy. I keep it jealously; the mileage is probably 40 thousand, to say the least.

Considering what you said, it makes me doubt Tom Cruise. When, for example, he says that he films all the action scenes himself, without the help of the American Vanni.

In general, maybe not, but 80% I think so. And do you know why? Because today, before jumping out of a plane or throwing a sword, they study everything down to the smallest detail. Cruise relies on very large budgets: when he jumps off a cliff on a motorcycle, it means they studied this scene for days before good Tom even lifted a finger. But he takes risks, he’s great. He is one of us. For “The Last Samurai” (2003) spent eight months in Japan between swords and katanas.

And Brad Pitt, who had already filmed some scenes during the Silverstone Grand Prix for Joseph Kosinski’s Formula 1 film Apex (the American actor was also at Monza, where he made a fleeting appearance)?

Let’s talk about champions. And, I repeat, exorbitant budgets and important technologies. Contexts where things are not left to chance. Where productions train you, prepare you, protect you.

And did you feel protected by the magic of cinema even before defending a serious production?

Yes, and if you talk to me about magic, I’ll go straight to “Gangs of New York”. When, at the end of the 19th century, I found myself in New York, rebuilt in Cinecittà by the great Dante Ferretti, winner of several Oscars, I truly realized how great cinema is. There was also a port with galleons. Artificial snow. You know, narratively it went through all four seasons. Memorable scenes that stayed with me. Let’s be clear: this memory takes nothing away from the movie that represented me most: the movie Franco Nero

Tomas Milan, Fabio Testi, Maurizio Merli. Action is what makes my heart beat faster.