There’s a scene in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone where you can clearly see a stuntman double in the place of Rupert Grint, who plays Ron Weasley. But, the stuntman is only in the movie for four frames, so it’s literally impossible to see him unless you freeze-frame the DVD.
The scene where the stuntman appears is when Ron has just declared “check” in the chess scene, and is about to be thrown off his steed by the Queen.
Right before the Queen attacks, we see a close-up of Ron, clearly Rupert Grint.

In the next shot, the Queen attacks.

In the very next shot, as the Queen’s lance hits Ron’s steed, you can clearly see that it’s now not Rupert Grint, it’s a stuntman, dressed in the same clothes.

Here’s a zoomed-in image of the above frame:

Smoke from the steed exploding obscures the face of the stuntman three frames later. Since a movie plays at 24 frames per second, that means the stuntman is on the screen for about 1/6 of a second. That’s why you can’t see him without freeze-framing the DVD.
Just 12 frames later, just a half a second, the very next shot is a closer shot of Ron falling backwards off the steed, and now it’s clearly back to Rupert again.

It’s curious there was a stuntman for this shot, since Rupert clearly shot the scene falling off the steed as well. They obviously shot it multiple times with both the stuntman and Rupert.

12 thoughts on “Spot The Stuntman”

  1. I was thinking that also, but two points make that unlikely: 1. If they digitally replaced Rupert’s face onto the stuntman, why are there 4 frames where the face is not replaced? And… 2. Notice the way there is dust/smoke obscuring Rupert’s face in the last example frame. Wouldn’t it be difficult to do the face replacement and match the dust/smoke in the air? 3. It’s expensive. Did I say two points?:-)

  2. Also if you notice just after Ron falls to the ground and some debris is flying around, a cut appears on Ron’s face. I have freeze-framed as he’s falling off the horse to the ground, and flying debris cuts his cheek really, but I never did notice the stunt double.

  3. Interesting. I think that it was likely shot multiple times also, as many movies scenes are these days. I think it odd and amazing that 4 frames could make such a difference in the final cut. But that’s Hollywood!

  4. It’s the “stuntman magic”. Stuntmen hardly ever would be taken for a “look-a-like” for the actor they’re standing in for. But as you can see from this example, they don’t need to be.

  5. Oh my god! That’s something I’ve never noticed!(probably because I haven’t watched the filme so many times) Dave, you observe things very well.

  6. Maybe the “stuntman” is the real Ronald Weasley and he Apparated onto the set for a sixth of a second on a dare from Fred and George…

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