So it was real! Thank you for posting.

Wasn't that impressed either and it seems like a stunt wouldn't be that difficult or risky for highly trained stuntmen. By that point, Ledger was pretty experienced with horses and probably felt very confident in performing that stunt.
I read that the director was warned about letting an actor do a stunt like that and was informed he would be fired if it ever happened again.

Not that it isn't impressive, but am I truly the only one who thinks that was incredibly reckless? Fear of dangerous things is not a bad thing - it's healthy. Ledger sounds to me like a guy who needed to be saved from himself on occasion. And what was the director thinking? Never mind insurance, what if his lead had been killed or severely injured mid-movie? Professional stuntmen thought it was too risky, but these two guys decided it was a good idea. Yeesh.

Cool for sure and good on Heath for the bravery and swagger (and possibly dedication to a role or whatever) it takes to do that but uh, best stunt ever? Really?
Seen Michelle Yeoh's dirtbike jump off a berm onto a moving train? Did that herself.
Or Jackie Chan dropping off the side of a clock tower through a few awnings with no crash-mat (inspired by Buster Keaton)?
Or any of a number of other stunts in moviedom that are quite a bit more hazardous and with a good deal more "wow, that's insane" factor?
Again, cool that he did it himself and it's certainly not run-of-the-mill stuff, but yeah wee bit overblown there.

i totally did a double take and went 'HOLY SH**! HE DID THAT HIMSELF?!?!' Amazing.

That scene was a shining example of why Christopher Nolan chose Heath to play "The Joker" When asked why Heath, he was quoted as saying because he's "fearless"
I cannot think of a better word to describe the man when I watch the stunt. Fearless indeed.

That scene was incredible, I can't imagine pulling it off
Important advice
[spoiler][/spoiler]

This message has been deleted.

I wondered that myself!!
I had to stop and rewind it twice, just to watch Ledger hop on that horse as it was running full tilt!
AMAZING ACTOR!!!
Hollywood has lost a great great film star indeed

Thanks for all the positive comments
For all those who haven't seen the movie, here is a great video someone made, which also includes footage of the stunt (at 3:30).
I've also made a tribute that shows stills of the stunt. It also includes many captures (took over 13 hours to make):
Here is another good video:
"Be the flame, not the moth."

WowI was wondering about that. I kept thinking, there's no cut! That stuntman must have been Heath's twin! But what do you knowit WAS Heaththanks for the info. Amazing stuntjust brilliant. And good on SK for letting him do itI appreciate directors who know their actors enough to know when to trust them. Most directors would have been too scared about insurance and such. Clearly he knew Heath well enough that he believed in his abilities.
I really cannot understand why so many people hate this film. I thought it was by far Heath's most powerful performanceone that should mark him as a great actor and be a touchstone of his short career. I hope more people will discover it and appreciate it for its scope and complexity as a story and as an artistic exploit.

that jump was phenominal, I watch it over and over again when I watch the moviethank you for posting this information. It puts a greater perspective on the talent of Heath Ledger and his ability, agility and daring that he had as an actor. BRAVO!