The Stunt Man is a 1980 comedy-drama directed by Richard Rush and starring Peter O'Toole, Steve Railsback, and Barbara Hershey. The film centers around the character of Steve Railsback, who plays a Vietnam War veteran named Cameron, who is on the run from the police and takes refuge on a movie set by pretending to be a stuntman.
Cameron is hiding out from the police after he accidentally runs his car into a parade, killing a man. He stumbles upon a group of filmmakers led by director Eli Cross (O'Toole) and offers his services as a stuntman to hide from the law. A former Green Beret, Cameron is up for any challenge, but he soon realizes that the shoots are becoming increasingly dangerous – and maybe even deadly.
Eli Cross is a demanding and obsessed director, who will stop at nothing to get the perfect shot for his movie. As Cameron is thrown into the world of moviemaking, he becomes increasingly conflicted between his desire to stay alive and his loyalty to the film crew.
The film is noted for its blend of reality and fantasy, as in many scenes, the line between what is real and what is part of the movie-making process is blurred. The Stunt Man features a cast of colorful characters, including the eccentric and flamboyant Eli Cross, a beautiful actress named Nina (Hershey) who becomes Cameron's love interest, and a group of stuntmen who regularly put their lives at risk for the sake of the movie.
The Stunt Man was well-received by critics and audiences, praised for its performances, direction, and unique storytelling approach. The film was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Director for Richard Rush, and has since become a cult classic.