Whip length and crack in TOD behind the scenes clip

[Satipo]

In the classic making of TOD documentary, there is a clip of Ford practicing his whip cracks in Sri Lanka. Basically, he is facing a ground height camera and manages to hit a paper cup that is on the grass in the foreground. Does anyone know what type of crack he did and the length of whip used?

[WhipDude]

Do you have a link to the video? Can it be found on the DVD collection bonus disc? I don't recall this scene at all.

[Satipo]

Yes, here:

https://youtu.be/0mh1YBN711c

At the 7.10 mark. It's a very brief clip.

It's been about thirty years since I last watched it, so it's not exactly as I previously described. The cup is not on the grass, but on a very low twig. Funny how memory changes details over time.

[WhipDude]

Are you sure that is Ford to begin with? The hair down the sides and the face leads me to believe it may be a stunt double?

Based upon that video, it's hard to determine the length of the whip. If the video was from the side, it may be easier to determine. However, that crack is the overhead crack. It's not the most precise overhead crack because of the way he moves his arm and hand.

[Mike]

It is Ford. Hard to tell with the quality of the video, but he's wearing headphones, not having hair hang down the side of his face.

[backstagejack]

Pretty sure that's Ford. Either way what a great BTS video thanks for the links

[Satipo]

You're welcome, backstagejack. And thanks for the analysis, WhipDude. I used to watch this over and over when I recorded it off the TV in the 80s. I was always impressed with Ford's accuracy in that brief clip (and amused by the groans of his audience), but couldn't tell what the crack was. I'd always assumed the whip was a ten footer, but now I'm thinking it moves more like an eight.

[WhipDude]

If I had to guess, I would agree and say 8 footer based upon the movement.

[lankywookiee]

I have no idea about the whip length but thanks for the video link, can't believe I haven't seen this behind the scenes doc before