Man on Wire (2008)

Better than expected, has both human interest and action/entertainment. Will appear to many people, the main character has got some charisma even if mostly motivated by his desire to be famous, an interesting character. His friends who supported him are also shown and are able to comment/reflect. Contains several extra features; certainly worth viewing! Five stars from me!

The apply named French street performer Phillipe Petit decides to hone his highwire walking skills and eventually high wire walks on Notre Dam giving him some of the public attention he appears to so desperately crave. This taste of fame only serves to whet Phillipe's appetite as he sets his sights much higher; New Yorks World Trade Centre. The complicated subterfuge plans to 'conquer' the world trade centre are eerie in the light of 9/11. Phillipe and his core group travel to the US several times over 2 years to plan the event, his long suffering girlfriend is sometimes allowed to accompany him. In the interim he highwire walks between the towers of Sydney Harbour Bridge. Finally the act is accomplished. Phillipe makes sure lots of people are looking in the ultimate 'look at me Mum' 2 hour performance over the streets of New York. He is arrested finally; the incident is described in police reports as "Man on wire". His ecstatic girlfriend has been waiting all day to see him but Phillipe chooses to celebrate by disappearing for a sex romp with a new fan. Phillipe Petit, highwire walker and complete imbecile.

Fascinating, unusual but what an ego! He could have raised funds for a worthy cause in doing it but it seems to be all to do with himself! For that reason, a waste of a great talent.

Glad I persevered and watched it all, it got me in finally and I' m thankful. Great documentary based on a true story of this amazing man's feats.

Every person should see this doco ... a testament to what is humanly possible; an example of following one's passion. Superb doco.

One of the best docos ever. Absolutely loved it! What an amazing individual !! Everyone should see this

Kind of dissapointing. The true story is great, the characters are great too, but somewhere the documentary falls short of getting this across. I still recommend it, but don't have high expectations when watching it.

This doco was inspiring but also sad that the world became so over regulated and then over protective that human passion has disappeared except in its most nasty form. Makes you want to live everyday like you are on a wire.

Phillip Petite is my new hero. His transcendental journey through space is awe inspiring and life affirming - god-dam those lumpen security forces who try to rule our lives - let's all be more like Phillip Petite and live FREE!!!

a powerful incredible true story - it is inspiring to see someone live their dream like this, and what a dream. The movie keeps you interested from start to finish (and I expected it to be too much like a documentary). A Better watch than expected.

I really enjoyed this. He is mad and wow what a feat. I do have a question, how did he fund it??

Somewhat overated doco that doesn't quite convey the edge of the seat danger of the act. Some of the people interviewed don't offer much insight and the lack of film footage of the Twin Towers walk is sorely missed.

Very amusing, and well re-enacted.

This documentary tells the story of some remarkable characters who together pulled off the unthinkable...secretly breaking in to the Twin Towers, rigging up a high wire between the towers so that the charismatic performer Phillipe could walk across the wire. The most interesting thing is the determination and passion they had for this project.

Bit boring

A bit too yappy... could have been trimmed to 60 mins ready for TV - there was a 'student prank' sort of feel to it because of its length gave it and editing would have sharpened up the tension... and just to think 25 years later, other people did something equally daring but murderous and suicidal concerning those self-same towers.

This was a worthy Oscar winner-absorbing story and a very well made doco.

Slow and methodical, this documentary is a unscrupulous piece of cashing-in. This doco is 1970's footage interlaced with recently added talking head interviews and narration. Moderately interesting story only has appeal because the buildings are NOW so famous for 911. It has a human interest angle but certainly not 'wildly entertaining' 'riveting' or ' breathtaking' like the cover quote say.

I give it 5 stars for the actual story but the doco is lacking a bit, until it gets to the last 20 minutes or so when they are actually executing this amazing feat. An incredible story, some great shots of the twin towers and a bunch of characters lead by the irrepressible Phillipe.

Excellent doco about a high wire walker who made history when walking across a wire between the 2 towers of the WTC in 1974. There is plenty of footage from when the project was being planned and carried out and also new footage of interviews etc. What these people went through to perpetrate this amazing feat is incredible. There's also footage of his walk on a wire on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and plenty of busking footage where he made most of his money to carry out his feats. Highly recommended if you like doco's and are interested in just how they managed to carry this out.

This is an intriguing documentary that takes you into the private world of a daredevil tightrope walker. What a star! Fortunately there was a wealth of old footage to be used.