How did magician David Copperfield walk through the Great Wall of China. An old but famous illusion still baffling people. Here is a link to the original video. • Video
This trick was originally done by Houdini. Behind the entry screen he quickly disguises himself as one of the assistants and then slips behind the exit screen at the back while the audience is distracted, the shadow of the hands is a body double performing in front of the light, while he changes out of the assistant costume in a corner behind the screen. Copperfield probably did his own variation, but that's how Houdini did it.
@@dmontes133 Seems like basically how he did it. If not, how then? I would say instead of changing into one of his assistants he simply hid in the steps.
You're wrong. Houdini went through a brick wall that was built on the stage of the theater. If you actually do some research and read a few Houdini biographies that do reveal the secret, you will see that the method used by Houdini is totally different to that of David Copperfield.
@@berkkarsi the same method cannot be used for this trick as there was no gap in the wall. and I don't think the Chinese government would let him make a hole in the wall. so that explanation does not work
@@Nib_Nob-t7x There doesn't have to be a gap in the wall. Did you watch the full video I shared? In the video, there were no gaps in the shipping containers too. How does it not work?
Having seen this live.. and being a magician for 47 years... a can guarantee you there was no helicopter or "hole in the wall." You have parts of your explanation correct, but, I can tell you are definitely taking guesses. Nice try, though.
Since the camera was deliberately not focused on the steps we cannot know how he got over the wall. the helicopter or gap in the wall were suggestions. The most likely way was of course an out of sight (to the camera) crane lifting it over the wall. The people present saw it but most would pay it little attention.
@Kabriel The 3rd Try again and do some math. If I've been doing magic for 50 years, that means I would have been, at least, 15 years old in 1986. But I was born in 1966 and that would have made me 20. So YES, I saw it live!!! I've also seen him do a smaller version on stage and I know how this illusion works.
I very much doubt the platforms were the same. The camera pan takes about 40 seconds, that is just simply not enough time to get the platform to the other side AND set up the curtains again (as they were torn off). Plus, if you pay attention, the two platform are mirror images of each other, first one has the safety metal fence on the left side while the other has it on the right.
Since the camera only shows one place at a time, it is always possible for David Copperfield to change the apparatus he is in out of camera and audience shot.
He actually used a body-double. If you look carefully in the first part there's no standstill close-up of David. It's quite obvious the magicians carry body-doubles in their tricks.
There were 2 identical platforms and steps for both sides. They had a couple of ladders set up behind the cameras so Copperfield could get up and over to the other side while they did the rather drawn out "following the heart beat through the wall" sequence. And he was hiding behind the steps. Hiding in or behind objects as they are moved on and off stage is a very common way of moving people without being seen in magic tricks.
How can so many people standing on the wall be so stupid since not even one of them figured it out?. Besides, when did the magicians decide to reveal the secrets of their sorcery? Also, why use animations and not real people to demonstrate how the so-called illusion was performed?.👺
@@benjaminfalzon4622 the people were all stooges.. copperfield and many magicians use this to make it seem more believable. The grand canyon stunt was performed by suspending him from helicopter.. obviously everyone there saw that. Why use animation... pretty simple. Its cheaper than a flight to china and completely shows how the trick was done.. why would you need to see someone repeat it to be able to figure that out
I saw the trick om tv as a kid and was blown away. When I see it now, some 30 years later, I'm blown away too, but by how lame the trick is. David wears a towel to make the switch to the body double smoother; "I saw David wear a towel, I see someone sticking out a towel, therefore that someone must be David", but it's just makes one totally aware that there's a body double. David goes in the stairs, body double in the bigger box. The helicopter thing is just silly though. If you think helicopter you haven't been close to a helicopter. He climbs or is lifted by a crane over, just like the camera. What makes me think a crane like the camera is that they spend lots of time explaining the crane in the trick. And when the assistants press their hands to the screen it turns to a trick at a kid's Halloween party.
To quote Brian Zhang: "The great wall has no hole on it. It was designed to defend Mongolian intruders, so if theres a hole then whats the meaning of the wall?" The wall was built thousands of years ago. Yes, the original purpose was to stop intruders (which it failed at). This purpose is no longer necessary due to the territorial expansion of China. The wall is really in the way of modern development, this is why large sections have crumbled away. The wall is basically useless except as a tourist attraction but is so old and iconic that it cannot be bulldozed . Interestingly, China bases it claim to Tibet which it invaded in 1950 and Taiwan which it want to rule over, on old maps which show these territories as part of China. Surely China should only extend to the Great Wall as that is where they once said where the country ends?
auteurAM The great wall was originally invented for the purpose of trying to keep death out so that the ruler wouldn't die, however later in line it was used as a defence
I think u misspelled the word on your name its written Amateur mate. U failed hard on this one both historically and explaining the video. U mention he might hide in the stairs lol did u see how thin they were? or the floor? We could see his shadow form becoz of the light the whole time so we would have seen him bend down and hide if that was the case how u explain that? ur liberty explanation video was abit more reasonable though but u failed hard on this one
it was the platform. in the top video on RU-vid there's a clip 5:32-5:33 where you can see that the platform isn't as thin as they would have you believe that's whay all the other shots are from high angles it's a trapezoid. I can confirm this because I've designed models of this nature
How I think he did it. We know the platform and stairs are not required so this is part of the escape. It’s a body double as we have no close up. He is already on the other side. It’s not his shadow it’s a projector screening a movie of him on the sheet. He is already in the steps at this time. The assistant reaches in to take a hanging towel as the movie shows him taking off the towel. This “proves” he is still in the platform when really the body double is in the steps. The other side which he is really on is done in reverse.
The steps are completely open. There is nowhere to hide. Unless there is some kind of mirror effect to make them appear open. This is filmed at night after all, so it is easier to hide those sort of things.
He hides in the stairs as it is moved to the other side of the wall. That is the crux of the trick. How the stairs travel to the other side is not shown on the video but is merely a detail. Most likely it is lifted by a crane while the cameras are focused elsewhere.
The simplest way to do this is to hire an actor to be the double. The actor enters the shadow box, then the real David comes out from the other end. Problem solved.
Yes I agree, that is more or less how it was done. The failed push through the screen on the other side was really lame. It was OBVIOUSLY the two people at either side of the screen pushing something against it. Look where their arms are. ... For the people who think someone can really walk through a wall... have a word with yourself.
Um people only have two arms and two hands so if the people had one arm each outside the blind then who was holding the mask...and there wasnt a person under the platform bc the platform underneath was see throw
The stairs are pulled away too early, he can't be in there. He was in the bottom of the platform. You can see it is slightly thicker at the side near the wall. Still thin, but enough to fit him in when he's lying down. You're right with the shadow, the lamp is just positioned cleverly so he can hide near the wall and cast no shadow. I don't think there is time to raise anything by helicopter while the camera moves. Probably there is an opening in the wall nearby (or ramps up and down the wall - it's not that high after all). You can see how the assistants hurry to deconstruct and move the platform. They arrive on the other side just in time. The hands and face appearing through the sheet are indeed props moved by the assistant's non-visible hands. It's quite smartly done, since there are 3 fake things visible at once (the magician's head and his two hands), so there must be some kind of prop that models both hands connected with a wire. When they let the sheet fall to the ground, the props are hidden under it. Not sure how the two-hands prop is flattened at that point, but that must be how it works. Cheers
Ah, there is a trick to go into the stairs too when using a double (see the masked magician's video). Gives them more time to move David over the wall too.
The helicopter was only a suggestion, more likely a more simpie method was used such as the ones you suggest. We cannot know which because the cameras under the control of the magician and his people were careful not to show anything to give it away.
For all the people saying there are holes in the Great Wall: there aren't!!! And that doesn't mean that you can't get past it!! If you want to get from one side to another, there are ways OVER it (and believe me, I've been there)!!! They would never destroy such a marvel just for an easier way to get past it!!
François Provencher Not now of course. However in past centuries there were times after it became useless for its original purpose that peasants and local officials would cart off parts to build houses etc. People didn't always regard national monuments as worth preserving. The same thing happened to the coliseum in Rome, where parts were recycled and used in other building projects as cheaper than quarrying new material.
After watching the Masked Magician, it comes down to 2 possibilities: (1) David has a body double (2) The stairs are moved along with the camera crane My best guess - Stairs are attached to the camera crane!
there are 2 possibilities... 1) its a trick and David doesn't walk through the wall... 2) its not a trick and David does walk through the wall Take your pick!
We can see the camera crane moving, there are not any stairs attached to it. Don't you think that people gathered on the wall would see a giant set of stairs going over their heads?
I wanna know how he hid in the platform when all it looked like was one board. Did he cling on to the back, or was there actually enough space to hide?
FSS Square Hiding in steps is a very common technique. The magician hides inside in an often uncomfortable position. When building the steps, they make it as small as possible and the lines make it look like no one could possibly be inside. Whenever steps are taken away during an illusion, almost for certain someone is inside them.
wtf There are no holes except for gates. As seen in the wide shot right before the trick it did not take place anywhere near a wall and also helicopter is not an option, cause there are no helicopters that dont make any sound.
Why does it seem like only approximately 3.7% of the people commenting on this video can actually fathom the English language? I've seen a lot of videos... But Jesus Christ, if you can't speak the language, don't bother commenting in that language. You're just going to get trolled.
people always say I know how this is done or that is done but I don't think you could demonstrate to your neighbours how you could walk through a wall in your own home Walk the Talk
+auteurAM building a car is one skill and driving is another skill a car builder is not expected to necessarily be a driver and vis versa one who says he can drive should be able to demonstrate driving and one who says he can build should be able to demonstrate building To your credit you have a speculatory mind but science means theory then experimentation and then the resultant outcome You only have Theory two steps short of Science
Usually people who reveal illusionist tricks without the permit of their owner are getting sued. Good luck with this video ...if this is the way David Copperfield did it.
Alright, so this explination is rather daft and quite frankly shouldnt of even been posted. Firstly; It was video recorded on the spot in "real time." Transferance over or through the wall in 'holes' is out. Not that such a thing could be possible, but clearly not in this scenario especially with the great wall. Secondly; the steps were removed before the stage was so hes not hiding in those but in the stage itself and of course does not return but remains in the platform. By him I do mean his double, while the real Copperfield is awaiting the prestige moment of ariving. Angled doors within the platform allow for the concealment and opening of a compartment without disturbing the directional path of the lighting. You were however rather correct about the stage hands using props to push on the screen prior to the unveiling. Either way the positioning of the cameras and lighting was well done and its truly a magnificent display.
Also, examine the "wall's" features, do ya really think a 2000 year old or even a few hundred years ancient wall would look like that? It looks like a local shopping Mall's decorating walls
It is clear to me that sections of the wall are refurbished so that tourists can walk over a good looking wall. What it means of course is that they no longer walk on or even see the actual Great Wall of China.
I can't understand why one would even try to decifer any magician tricks ! Magic is a very entertaining career. The fact that illusionnists master the art of performing such incredible stunts is in itself a gift for the public. I believe that trying to reveal their tricks totally invalidates the whole '' Fantastical'' experience. Yes, one can guess and speak out their views. We all are entitled to our opinion. But from my point of view, playing the detractor game only reveals that no imagination and dreams are allowed...Isn't just enjoying the show enough? Apparently not for alot of people. All the Magicians are ''Heroes of the Mind'' because they can take us through all kinds of sheer emotions if we let them. Trying to uncover their secrets , again for me, is a violation, a tresspassing. It's not a BTS movie, it is their career that one selfishingly put in jeopardy. So why can we just let our minds go wild and go along with the ride ? And I'm sorry to say that your explanations are only guesses. Through your say, only 5% is probable.... the rest...well...guess again...Thank you All the Magician in the world for your Great Gift especially in those Days of Covid...!
People that want to enjoy the magic and not have the spell broken need only not watch this type of video that looks at how they may have been done. Others like to ponder how they could be done and especially like to know which tricks are more a tv production and are not what a person who was there would actually see, relying instead on everyone there being in on it and requiring specific camera angles, film editing or special effects to pull off the illusion. If someone performs a trick in public, for money, I see no reason why it should not be commented on and examined.
Were there no live spectators there? If it was TV only then there's no magic to it (even in the "it's an illusion" sense) considering anything can be done using special effects...
auteurAM or a temporary set of stairs further down out of camera view. These people trolling you are insane wanting a bulletproof explanation. I do think a body double on the first side is the most likely explanation because it removes all the difficulty of getting the stairs over the wall, but it's not impossible that he had some other means of getting the stairs over. The hands were clearly the assistants' and the face was a molded mask being controlled by one of the assistants - you can see the assistant in the foreground being deliberate with how he pulls down the sheet to hide whatever mask/fake hands were used.
Ah yes, Helicopter. And holding up a mask. Makes sense. He forgot to mention he probably used the Underground Railroad being escorted by Harriet Tubman
+auteurAM the stairs or the unit is attached to the camera rig. when the camera rig goes over the wall and lands on the other side it could be the same stairs that was on the orignal side
+auteurAM since it was a tv stunt who knows. But there are only 3 ways he could do this. Go over ,go under or go thru. The most logical is to go over. The video shows them pushing the unit and stairs out of camera range, so attaching it to the camera is possible. the the stairs are pushed into place on the other side. If the stairs were already in place on the other side then I would think going under or thru.
auteurAM "He was hiding either behind the steps or the raised platform." "It was either by helicopter or a whole in the wall or a gap on the wall." I live for videos like these which reveal magician tricks. The thing is, if you want to b credible, you need to be specific and sure of what you're saying.
auteurAM Precisely. That's why they're called assumptions. Use too many and you will lose your credibility. If you plan to expose magician tricks and illusions, you need to be more specific and sure of what you're talking about.
The EdgeCrusher You're contradicting yourself. It is by being specific you're making assumptions, and we all know that assumptions are the source of all fuck-ups.
Brian Zhang then again the wall is like thousands of years old and crumbling.you can even see pictures of those crumbled parts. Also it failed to keep the Mongorians out.
Yeah, that is a stupid rumor that has persisted for centuries. The moon is 238,900 miles away. The earth is just a blue, featureless ball from that distance.
I notice the wall that he went through & came out of looked WAY different than the rest of the wall. Could it have been a dummy wall over a hole in the wall? I mean, they have holes in the wall. So, that could just be a covered hole. The face bit could have been an assistant while David made his way to the other side.
+Marilyn Newman Recently, I saw the end of a documentary on the Great Wall. It showed large gates in the wall to allow people, goods and horses to cross from one side to another. This is what I have long maintained but had no proof. Even when the wall was built, easy access from one side of the wall to the other at intervals would be needed. Now of course when the wall serves no useful purpose other than tourist attraction, it is essential.
There was an audience but the trick was mainly for the millions watching on TV. The TV audience never saw anything as the cameras were focused elsewhere. The live audience saw the platform being lifted by crane or whatever method was used. Most would not register its significance especially when other things were happening as a distraction.
Why are their so many dislikes? Lol this is a plausible theory. it's camera trickery folks. the mind is a powerful thing and can be easily manipulated or convinced when you don't know the steps of how these tricks work. so . .
What about the people at the place wouldnt they have seen him coming throw the gap in the wall. And how could Copperfield hind in the stairs or the platform...if u watch the real video the stairs and the platform are to small for a man his size to fit in there...and the people watching him walk throw the walk....wouldnt they have seen him come out of the blinds...so yeah cant explain that
Magicians are clever enough to make in this case the stairs and platform in such a way that a person has just enough room to hide in them often by contorting themselves into an unnatural position while looking like there could not possibly be enough room. The trick is to get the stair contraption through or over the wall with the magician still inside. The camera does not show this being one, it focuses on another area at the time. Most likely it was lifted over the wall by a crane. The people present would see it, most are likely to think nothing of it. The TV audience sees nothing because it is deliberately not shown so as not to give clues as to what was going on.
@@auteurAM yeah...but the video isnt cut at all and for the stairs to be lifted up by a crane then it would take awhile to hook up the staires to the crane and then a little bit to get it over the wall...sooooooooo think of somethin else my dude
The video may have not been cut but it only showed one view while action was occurring off camera which was not shown. Planning and careful set up would allow enough time to pick up and lift the stairs over the wall. Soooo, no need to think of anything else to adequately explain it although other methods are possible.
@@auteurAM The audience would think nothing of the stairs that David was just on being lifted by crane to the other side of the wall, then seeing him come down those same steps?! That would have to be an extremely dense audience!
my good man, when you suggested that he might be hiding on the stairs, have you even notice that the staircase was already moved when he is still there? anyway, nice deduction !
The shadow surely came from a double. The staircase was removed 15 seconds after he came in so there was more than enough time for him to hide in the staircase.
ok im not sure that it is so easy to get from one side of the wall to the other side ... my assumption would be that he never appeared on one side of the wall ... he was hiding on one side all the time waiting to get out ... the guy who first appears was a double or something ... even if there were ways to get through the wall ... all the people around would have noticed ... like a helicopter or a gap in the wall ... either he paid all the people around to not say anything about it ... but even if he did he could never be sure they keep their mouth shut ... so i think he was on one side of the wall all the time just waiting for his grand finale ... you can't get a human body this fast on the other side of the wall without anyone noticing ... either it's fake or he never crossed the wall
+huba He would not have been transferred across in plain sight but be hidden in the stairs. The most likely way is by an unseen crane. People who saw it hopefully did not think too deeply as to why a second set of stairs were not installed on the other side as it would be much easier and cheaper.
just that i don't get it wrong ... you mean that the stairs with him inside were brought to the other side of the wall ? wouldn't that be much too obvious ?especially by a crane?
The crane or whatever means to move the stairs wasn't shown to the TV audience as the cameras were focused elsewhere as it would be too obvious what was going on to a lot of people. The live audience did see it but usually that type of audience while not stooges know to play along and a) not ask too many questions and b) look suitably impressed at the trick. That's my story anyway...
hmm sounds reasonable ... my only thought is that if too many people who are actually there and get the trick ... it would be a bad reputition for the magician after a while ... but i can't imagine that if the stairs would be lifted with a crane over the wall that the live audience wouldn't get it and tell it to everyone they know .. like if i think about an good illusion i allways try to imagine like i was there myself because Tv ancles and stuff is easy to manipulate ... i think he tricked the whole life audience .. otherwise he wouldn't be so famous ... i hope ^^
the" wall is visible on the moon" thing is so stupid... Even the Chinese literature textbook take this statement seriously ... I was 10 year old and like"ok if the wall is visible, so is our house, cuz is definitely larger than 10 meters..."
Well duh - what do think he really walked through the wall?! lolsagaze before the sunsets far away and only where the green grass grows, The lolsagaze! Stone was tempered - and David not beaten, walked and walked until he came upon a wall, and in that dream the endless wall we always see - The lolsagaze! he passed away and drifted through the stone that day. His soul he sold's now cold and damned, He'd spent it on some little glory. for him it was - The Lolsagaze!
A helicopter would be too noticeable, that was my original explanation but the noise level of a helicopter would not allow a seamless transport for Mr. Copperfield. I believe it was a body double used in this illusion.
somthing is not right about what you've said about poking through the wall. i watch the video, but the poking from david hand is in normal position, but two men curtain lifter can poke it for sure, but not in the right position.if they poke it, David's hand will be in no shape of normal human's hand. , becoz, David's hands will looked like the left hand is on the right and right hand on the left. what is your answer about that??????
There are two people so I am not convinced that one of them could not have a hand in the required position. Alternately it need not be a real hand, a fake one held by one of the men would do the job.
that's a good point "FAKE HAND". but, seems like they were not in the position of doing such a thing. like you've had said it before, "Alternately it need not be a real hand". obviously it might be true or not. but, look at the show clearer than before. the one holding the curtain on the right doesn't seemed like his shoulder didn't even move or even had a shoulder leaning towards the curtain. That is the question two of one for you. here now is number two. Even if they could do such thing like holding the fake hands. How about the face acting like he was able to move like you covered up your face on a window curtain and move or even opening your mouth. The question is that, whatever the hand is in its right position of doing that or not, this is it....tell me this. " The face that put up an actual face of a real man behind the curtain like opened up his mouth, moving his head like growling ". What is your answer to that. Maybe there are someone holding the head, or putting their head behind the curtain. ??? Seriously >????????
The two holding the curtain need not be the passing menials they appear to be, they may have practiced their roles so they look innocent while pulling off the effect. It is not hard to imagine a face being constructed that has the ability to open its mouth etc.
what is the ability of doing such a thing? Most of all, you don't mentioned the entry illusion. ] What you've said about was that there might be a hole on the wall. that is non-sense, i have research about the hole of the wall, but as a CHINESE citizen, there are no hole on the Western border. The attempt of copper field's wall is located on the 34th block of western defense border where there are no holes with only solid super concrete wall. Part of that, the western defense border of Great wall is like a Plateau with field until now. although there are trees and bushes everywhere as you can see. But still gives a space for the crew. But, i agree with what you've said about the hole. Yes, of course there are 3 holes. but, far from the attempt of David Copperfield. There are 3 hole i.e., Southern Hills of the G.W. the 2nd block. But, no men could fit on that hole. Okay, another two which is on the 12th and 14th block on the same spot, nah, i mean yeah on the south as well. there are two holes where even a Cow could fit. But there are no straight line holes. My conclusion is that, David is on the 34th block which is located on with a great view for people and a great plateau field to attempt the illusion. BUT, VERY FAR FROM THE OTHER HOLE WHICH MIGHT FIT DAVID OR THE CREW AND ALSO NOT SO VERY GOOD POSITION FOR THE CREW TO ASSEMBLE THEIR EQUIPMENT> BECAUSE< IT IS A POINTY HILL WITH DENSE FOREST AND ROUGH WALKING PATH. maybe you are right about the hole, this is the future for the past, so, it could although collapse or make a hole. But, we are debating about the past that the wall were still solid on the 34th Block. No offence. LETS AGREE TO DISAGREE... lol Sources: FONG JI Book. re-written on 2015.
Their both hands can be seen bro. who do you think of the role model of the head with mouth open and the hand with its right position. besides the curtain was lifted stick to the wall, who would fit beside that curtain and the wall. maybe he surely will be a flat mutant to fit on that thin between the wall and the curtain. lol
