we think that you can just see the very top of the crash helmet going along behind the top of the van a few frames later: i.e, the rider actually lands behind, it's staged, as opposed to being edited.


I don't see the helmet behind the van -- maybe my monitor isn't good enough. But landing behind (i.e., along the left side) wouldn't explain the effects the impact had on the van itself. Note the way it rises and falls on its rear suspension, the way the van slides about eight inches down the hill, and note especially how the front wheels roll while the rear wheels slide -- as though the emergency brake was set or the vehicle was left in park.

Finally, note the absolutely seamless and authentic integration of the sound, particularly at the moment of impact. This wasn't staged the way you suggest, or if it was, then some very skillful editing was done afterwards, and I cannot imagine how they could have created the motions of the van.

tanstaafl.