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The Great Waldo Pepper
(1975),
Director: George Roy Hill, rated PG
The Second
Greatest Flyer in the World
  Starring:
Robert Redford, Bo Svenson, Bo Brundin, Susan Sarandon, Geoffrey
Lewis, Edward Herrmann, Philip Burns, Roderick Cook, Kelly Jean
Peters, Margot Kidder, Scott Newman
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★☆☆☆
- good
"When you die and
Saint Peter says to you, "Hey, when were you happiest down
there?" You're gonna say, "Well, it was okay the day I got
married, and I didn't much mind the day I first fell in love.
But seein' the sky with the Great Waldo Pepper, that beats 'em
all." -
Waldo Pepper
Why watch this? Even
heroic men can have the flaw of blind obsession.
Plot Summary:
Set in the 1920s, a barnstorming pilot named Waldo Pepper seeks
to prove his bravery and relive the glory he missed by failing
to fly in combat during World War I. As federal aviation
regulations begin to shut down the era of unregulated stunt
flying, Waldo travels to Hollywood to work as a stuntman in
films that reenact the very air battles he longs to have fought.
There he meets his idol, a German ace named Ernst Kessler.
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Dad's Preview:
Robert Redford was such a smart movie star. He was
always deeply involved in his film projects, and the men
he portrayed usually were imperfect and, therefore, more
real. As Waldo Pepper, he's determined to be the best
flying ace. I get it, explore your passion. Go for it.
However, this lifestyle has a cost. He constantly puts
himself in grave danger and sadly passes on chances at a
happy life, filled with love and children. Will he
finally find the glory he seeks? At what price? This
film must be noted for the incredible aerial sequences.
This was before CGI, and the pilots were flying real
World War I bi- and tri-planes. It was very dangerous to
film. The result is a memorable ode to the 1920's
barnstorming air shows, and a somber look the male
psyche. |
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George Roy Hill;
Universal Pictures |
