The Ingenious Trick Tom Cruise Used For Mission: Impossible’s Iconic Vault Stunt Scene

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Right from the start, the Mission: Impossible movie series starring Tom Cruise, which has become a classic in action/adventure and espionage films, established itself firmly. Now, with eight movies under its belt and nearly 30 years of history, the original 1996 film (airing on SYFY this week) continues to impress with its timeless appeal.

Without a doubt, one standout moment in the film, and arguably the series, is the memorable CIA vault infiltration scene. This scene served as the foundation for the sequels, aiming to recreate and heighten the suspenseful atmosphere as Ethan Hunt executed his daring wire act to pilfer the NOC List from a room sensitive to pressure and temperature changes, located within the core of the world’s most clandestine government agency.

The situation quickly became a well-known part of popular culture lore, inspiring numerous spoofs and tributes across various media, such as “Wrongfully Accused” and “Shrek 2,” currently available on Peacock. The success can be attributed to Tom Cruise’s exceptional acting abilities, as director Brian De Palma explains in one of the behind-the-scenes documentaries.

The filmmaker notes, “It’s quite challenging to maintain such an extended pose. It requires immense muscular precision.” However, Tom managed to pull it off, adding a sense of authenticity to the scene that left viewers in awe, given the palpable tension he portrayed.

In that movie, according to stunt coordinator Greg Powell, that particular scene seemed to be the most challenging. He was impressed by the incredible effort put in to maintain balance throughout it.

During a 25th anniversary interview for the film, Cruise shared some behind-the-scenes details about how they filmed that scene. He admitted he had accidentally hit his head several times during initial takes because of the set floor. Facing tight production deadlines, Cruise approached the stunt team with an unconventional yet clever solution.

For More on Mission: Impossible

Tom Cruise’s Regrettable Stunt – A Look at the Top Action Sequences in the Mission: Impossible Series and Why the Original Film Remains a Classic

– The Stunt That Made Tom Cruise Doubt His Decision: Ranking the Best Action Scenes from the Mission: Impossible Movies
– Tom Cruise’s Second Thoughts – A Review of the Most Memorable Set Pieces in the Mission: Impossible Franchise and a Look Back at the Original Film’s Enduring Appeal

The ingenious trick Tom Cruise used to film Mission: Impossible (1996) vault scene

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In the movie location (England), instead of asking for generic coins, I requested Pound coins. To check my balance, I tucked these Pound Coins inside my shoes and dangled from cables. Brian suggested we proceed one more time before he would make a cut, to which I responded that I could handle it. The task was also quite demanding physically, according to Tom Cruise’s recollection.

The coins worked perfectly, providing the actor with exactly the right balance so that he seemed to float barely a millimeter off the ground. This suggests that Ethan’s panicky movements at the time were likely sincere.

I went down to the floor without touching anything, and I was amazed that I managed not to touch. I remember thinking, ‘Wow, I didn’t touch.’ I held onto it tightly, gripping it as I started to sweat profusely. Then, I felt Brian moving around, and I knew I had to keep going. I could hear his distinctive laugh off-camera, and soon enough, he was laughing hysterically. He said, ‘Alright…cut.’

In the original story, Ethan manages to obtain the NOC List, which leads an angry Eugene Kittridge (Henry Czerny) to send poor analyst William Donloe (Rolf Saxon) to a remote radar tower in Alaska as punishment. The character reappears years later in “Mission: Impossible – Fallout.

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2025-05-28 19:16