The Dark Knight "pencil trick"... is it possible?

Question

As entertaining as the "pencil trick" was, my over-analyzing self couldn't help but think, could an ordinary pencil really be strong enough to impale a human skull?

Answer 1

What i liked was the reaction the Joker got.  At least one of the guys' reaction that it was a good trick after all.  And if you look at the scene, the Joker does the "I'm going to show you a magic trick" well before any muscle gets up to challenge him. And that's what the Joker means when he says he's "ahead of the curve".  Great writing.

I'll have to wait for the DVD so i can see it in slow motion, to tell where they're saying the pencil goes.

There are similar effects in the Harry Potter movies, in particular #3, The Prisoner of Azkaban.  I'm thinking of the disappearing wine bottle in the Leaky Cauldron.  Of course it's supposed to be magic.  But even frame by frame, it's not at all clear how the effect was done.

Answer 2

I am just speculating, but with the proper velocity, this is a feasible feat. There have been cases of pine straw piercing lumber during hurricane force winds. The question is, can any human possibly produce the required velocity to accomplish this trick.

Answer 3

Because of the angel of the camera, it is hard to tell whether the pencil impaled through the skull, which is a little far fetched. Or if it went through the eye socket and into the brain. Which is possible.

Either way it was ******* awsome.