The Trick: The Niagara Falls Challenge
One of Copperfield’s TV stunts had him strapped to a raft rushing for the edge of Niagara Falls. Copperfield was meant to escape before going over the edge, and ride away on a Jet Ski. He appeared to fail, tumbling over the waterfall. But then he emerged safe, riding a helicopter. To prove it wasn’t camera trickery, the entire stunt was filmed in a single, unbroken shot.