Game Of Thrones amazing behind-the-scenes footage reveals computer tricks used to create epic Hardhome battle

By Ross Mcdonagh For Dailymail.com

Published: 16:32 EST, 8 July 2015 | Updated: 12:12 EST, 9 July 2015

No Wildlings were harmed in the making of this video.

An amazing behind-the-scenes film has been released revealing the computer wizardry employed to create Game Of Thrones' stunning Battle of Hardhome.

The epic brawl between the Wildlings, Night's Watch and White Walkers was easily the most ambitious set piece of the series so far, and one of the most exciting to watch.

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Only a game: An amazing behind-the-scenes film has been released revealing the computer wizardry employed to create Game Of Thrones' stunning Battle of Hardhome, such as the sprawling Wildling encampment which seems to home thousands

Only a game: An amazing behind-the-scenes film has been released revealing the computer wizardry employed to create Game Of Thrones' stunning Battle of Hardhome, such as the sprawling Wildling encampment which seems to home thousands

Fakers: But in reality, a green screen generated most of the camp... and blocked out the workers cars in the background

Fakers: But in reality, a green screen generated most of the camp... and blocked out the workers cars in the background

In the eighth episode of the recently finished season five, Jon Snow and Tormund Giantsbane take a a fleet of ships to the last Wildling garrison beyond the Wall, where they hope to convince the Free Folk to sail south before it is too late.

But while there the massive encampment is ambushed by a rabid army of undead wights lead by the Night's King, and what follows is a visually stunning fracas involving thousands.

Or so it seemed - the sneak peek video published by visual effects company El Ranchito Imagen Digital show there were far less people there, with much of the hordes of Wildlings added digitally afterwards.

Valar morghulis: The epic brawl between the Wildlings, Night's Watch and White Walkers in episode eight was easily the most ambitious set piece of the series so far, and one of the most exciting to watch

Valar morghulis: The epic brawl between the Wildlings, Night's Watch and White Walkers in episode eight was easily the most ambitious set piece of the series so far, and one of the most exciting to watch

Longclaw: Jon Snow is seen fighting a White Walker in a pivotal scene where he - and fans - learn that Valyrian steel can kill the icy monsters, as one spectacularly shatters beneath his blow

Longclaw: Jon Snow is seen fighting a White Walker in a pivotal scene where he - and fans - learn that Valyrian steel can kill the icy monsters, as one spectacularly shatters beneath his blow

Ice to see you: When broken down  the shot shows the stuntman still standing, expertly hidden by the digital effect

Ice to see you: When broken down  the shot shows the stuntman still standing, expertly hidden by the digital effect

In one shot, what looks like sprawling camp at Hardhome stretching for miles actually stops a few dozen feet from the camera at a physically erected green screen. 

Behind it, the very un-Westerosi sight of electrical generators and set workers cars can be seen parked behind it.

Another clip shows the giant Wun Wun as he wades through the water to escape the maurauding undead army. As Wildlings and Black Brothers stare up at him as he passes, an unaltered shot shows that they are actually gazing at a tennis ball on a stick.

Fe fi fo fum: The giant Wun Wun is played by real life giant Ian Whyte, who at 7'1" also played Gregor 'The Mountain Who Rides' Clegane in season two

Fe fi fo fum: The giant Wun Wun is played by real life giant Ian Whyte, who at 7'1" also played Gregor 'The Mountain Who Rides' Clegane in season two

Up here: When interacting with other characters, Wun Wun is replaced by a tennis ball on a (very) long stick

Up here: When interacting with other characters, Wun Wun is replaced by a tennis ball on a (very) long stick

The 'giant' meanwhile is shown filming his scenes separately, stomping through the water in a far less awe-inspiring pair of fisherman's wader overalls.

While he is played by regular human Ian Whyte, he his hardly regular sized: the 7'1" actor also portrayed Gregor 'The Mountain Who Rides' Clegane in season two.

One of the most terrifying scenes in the sequence was legions of reanimated corpses hurling themselves over a cliffside as they scramble to get at the fleeing Wildlings - but the pre-production shot shows the stuntmen leaping onto a cushion floor just feet below.

Nice resume: The sneak peek video was  published by visual effects company El Ranchito Imagen Digital

Nice resume: The sneak peek video was  published by visual effects company El Ranchito Imagen Digital

Painstaking: As the video runs in chronological order through the battle, it pauses and shows the intricate layering that goes into every single millisecond, making it look so realistic

Painstaking: As the video runs in chronological order through the battle, it pauses and shows the intricate layering that goes into every single millisecond, making it look so realistic

Jon Snow is also seen fighting a White Walker in a pivotal scene where he - and fans - learn that Valyrian steel can kill the icy monsters, as one spectacularly shatters beneath his blow.

But then the shot is broken down, it shows the stuntman still lying on the floor, after being expertly hidden by the digital effect.

As the video runs in chronological order through the battle, it pauses and shows the intricate layering that goes into every single millisecond, making it look so realistic.

Not all CGI: There are plenty of oldschool tricks in there too, like the goo-filled mannequin head that gets stomped on when a wight tries to force its way beneath the gates.
Not all CGI: There are plenty of oldschool tricks in there too, like the goo-filled mannequin head that gets stomped on when a wight tries to force its way beneath the gates.

Not all CGI: There are plenty of oldschool tricks in there too, like the goo-filled mannequin head that gets stomped on when a wight tries to force its way beneath the gates.

But it's not all computerized wizardry - there are plenty of oldschool tricks in there too, like the goo-filled mannequin head that gets stomped on when a wight tries to force its way beneath the gates. 

The breathtaking episode was the top ranked critically in the second half of the season according to Rotten Tomaotes, receiving a perfect 100% fresh score.

It's director Miguel Sapochnik was subsequently put in charge of the final two episodes of the upcoming season six.

Rabid: One of the most terrifying scenes in the sequence was legions of reanimated corpses hurling themselves over a cliffside

Rabid: One of the most terrifying scenes in the sequence was legions of reanimated corpses hurling themselves over a cliffside

Soft landing: But the pre-production shot shows the stuntmen leaping onto a cushion floor just feet below

Soft landing: But the pre-production shot shows the stuntmen leaping onto a cushion floor just feet below

Heavilly backed: The breathtaking episode was the top ranked critically in the second half of the season according to Rotten Tomaotes , receiving a perfect 100% fresh score

Heavilly backed: The breathtaking episode was the top ranked critically in the second half of the season according to Rotten Tomaotes , receiving a perfect 100% fresh score

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