Man on Wire Review

"Man On Wire" reviews

Movie

Man On Wire

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2008-07-26 12:00:17

Rating

4/5

Provider

MRIB

Review

A death-defying story of a wire walker who dreamed of stepping out between the Twin Towers.

Frenchman Philippe Petit had a dream in his youth. As a magician and juggler on the streets of Paris, he happened upon the news story of plans to build the World Trade Center. From that moment his dream was to wire walk from one to the other. But it would be years before that moment - if it happened ever. Through archive footage and narration by the participants, a story of intricate planning and slapdash execution proves ultimately riveting with the magical spectacle of Petit stepping out seemingly onto thin air.

In the build up we see him walk between the towers of first Notre Dame and then Sydney Harbour's iconic bridge. It was the early 70's when plans we're first laid, followed by numerous excursions to New York. As this documentary builds to it's spellbinding crescendo we meet a splendidly illustrated collection of wildcats and misfits that joined Philippe on his journey: friends from France, accomplices in the US - even a worker in the Towers - as they explain how they gained access to the site again and again, then smuggled in all the copious amounts of equipment.

Economically edited to keep the story tight and lucid, Man On Wire is a thrilling experience. Whilst it's outcome is known - it's no spoiler to say he made the walk on August 7th 1974 - you're helplessly sucked into the tension (pardon the pun) as the film climbs towards it's dizzying climax (and that one!).

A loveable bunch of rogues who are breaking the law but hurting no one. Essential.

Copyright © MRIB 2008.