Directed by:
George Roy HillScreenplay:
William GoldmanCinematography:
Robert SurteesComposer:
Henry ManciniCast:
Robert Redford, Bo Svenson, Bo Brundin, Susan Sarandon, Geoffrey Lewis, Edward Herrmann, Margot Kidder, Philip Bruns, Kelly Jean Peters, Lawrence P. Casey (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
Following the enormous success of THE STING, George Roy Hill finally had the freedom to make this film about the romance of aviation, which had been a cherished project of his for years. It stars Robert Redford as Waldo Pepper, a former WWI pilot who, in 1926, is barnstorming across the country in a Curtiss JN-4 biplane, doing stunts for a living. He exaggerates his wartime heroics, as much to fulfill his own fantasies as to drum up business, claiming to have engaged in a dogfight with ace German fighter pilot Ernst Kessler (Bo Brundin). His closest friend, Ezra Stiles, is working on the design of a monoplane that can perform the perilous outside loop, which Pepper intends to be the first to execute. With public interest in stunt flying on the downslide, the pilot is forced to partner with good-natured former competitor Axel Olsson (Bo Svenson). But things still remain tough for the pilots, leading them to join a flying circus. When tragedy strikes, Pepper must answer to aviation authorities. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Reviews (3)
Robert Redford is captivating as always because that's what he does. Audiences will be on his side, even though his character is not downright good and has shady aspects. The plot has scenes that can surprise you quite a bit, but it also has scenes that can bore you. It focuses on the characters and on good aerial scenes, but it doesn't go anywhere, and in fact only to a certain pathos.
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From the very first shot of Robert Redford taking off his aviator glasses and greeting his admirers from the cockpit with a beaming smile, it's clear that this film is all about people being hotshots - in the best sense of the word, of course. The Great Waldo Pepper is about people for whom flying has gotten deep under their skin and they just can't get it out. It's partly a funny retro, but very unexpected and harsh things happen in it, bringing the characters and the audience back to reality, to earth... But only for so long before they can take off again and seek peace and freedom "up there". It's an ode to flying, just like Besson's The Big Blue is an ode to diving. And it has the absolute best aerial scenes I've ever seen in a movie.
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A film set in the early days of aviation. A film about top aviators who entertained many spectators with their stunts in biplanes, only to see many of their peers fall in aerial combat during the war. It is almost a must see for fans of the early days of aviation and everyone else will enjoy it too.
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Gallery (30)
Photo © Universal Pictures
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