A look at tightrope walker Philippe Petit's daring, but illegal, high-wire routine performed between New York City's World Trade Center's twin towers in 1974, what some consider, "the artist... Read allA look at tightrope walker Philippe Petit's daring, but illegal, high-wire routine performed between New York City's World Trade Center's twin towers in 1974, what some consider, "the artistic crime of the century".A look at tightrope walker Philippe Petit's daring, but illegal, high-wire routine performed between New York City's World Trade Center's twin towers in 1974, what some consider, "the artistic crime of the century".
- Won 1 Oscar
- 46 wins & 13 nominations total
- Self
- (as Jean-François Heckel)
- Self
- (as N. Barry Greenhouse)
- Self
- (as Guy Tozzoli)
- David - Drama Reconstructions
- (as Shawn Dempewolff)
- Alan - Drama Reconstructions
- (as David Frank)
- Dentist
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaLow on money for the Sydney Harbor Bridge walk, Philippe Petit got the cable in exchange for an impromptu juggling and magic show he put on for employees.
- GoofsIn the reenaction of Philippe Petit and his friend hiding from the night watchman at the WTC, a box on the floor has a present-day USPS logo.
- Quotes
Philippe Petit: Life should be lived on the edge of life. You have to exercise rebellion: to refuse to tape yourself to rules, to refuse your own success, to refuse to repeat yourself, to see every day, every year, every idea as a true challenge - and then you are going to live your life on a tightrope.
- Alternate versionsAccording to the Technical Specifications link for this page on IMDB, there are two different versions of this film: 1 hr 34 min (94 min) and 1 hr 30 min (90 min) (Sundance) (USA)
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Orange British Academy Film Awards (2009)
We were lucky enough to have a Q&A with the director and the star, Philippe Petit where we all asked the same old questions; 'how did it feels?' 'are you scared of death?' 'what made you do it?' but what made the experience and the film so refreshing was the personality of Petit. Of course you would assume he is a rampant egotist, he was a very good looking young man, talented, with a raft of friends happy to be involved in his dangerous and exciting endevours. Petit is actually incredibly funny and oblivious. I would describe his act not as simply entertainment but as a sublime experience, taking us to the edge of terror and death.
I was worried I'd spend the whole film with clammy hands, watching a guy on a high wire so high up, but his friend describes it so well the feeling you get watching him walk up there, it's so poetic and peaceful.
This is a very unusual film, very beautiful and exciting. I would say that it is suitable for any age but take your mum and dad, they'll love it.
- mononews
- Jun 26, 2008
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Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official sites
- Languages
- Also known as
- Людина на канаті
- Filming locations
- World Trade Center, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA(archive footage)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- £1,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $2,962,242
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $51,392
- Jul 27, 2008
- Gross worldwide
- $5,258,569
- Runtime1 hour 34 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1