Synopsis

On August 7, 1974 a young Frenchman named Philippe Petit stepped out on a wire illegally rigged between New York's Twin Towers, then the world's tallest buildings. After nearly an hour dancing on the wire, he was arrested, taken for psychological evaluation and brought to jail. Petit spent eight months in New York planning the execution of the coup. Aided by a team of friends and accomplices, he had to find a way to bypass the World Trade Center's security; smuggle the heavy steel cable and rigging equipment into the towers; pass the wire between the two rooftops; anchor the wire and tension it to withstand the winds and the swaying of the buildings. The rigging was done by night in complete secrecy. At 7:15 AM, Philippe took his first step on the high wire 1,350 feet above the sidewalks of Manhattan. James Marsh's documentary brings Petit's extraordinary adventure to life through the testimony of Philippe himself, and some of the co-conspirators who helped him create the unique and magnificent spectacle that became known as "the artistic crime of the century." Music by Michael Nyman.

Trailer

Film Information

• Genre: Documentary
• Director: James Marsh
• Starring: Philippe Petit
• Running Time: 90 minutes, approx.
• MPAA Rating: PG-13
• Language: English & French
• Official Site

Reviews

"One of the most wildly entertaining docs of recent years."

   - Robert Koehler, Variety

"The gorgeous music includes Ralph Vaughan Williams' wafting tone poem ''The Lark Ascending'' -- apt in describing an artist who might well be part bird."

   - Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

"The film itself is perfectly poised between artistry and audacity. It's beautiful."

   - Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

"Man on Wire is about the vanquishing of the towers by bravery and joy, not by terrorism."

   - Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

"James Marsh's documentary raises the bar for the genre to skyscraper height."

   - Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

Showtimes

• Wednesday, November 26th
  4:30 pm, 7:00 pm
• Thursday, November 27th
  4:30 pm, 7:00 pm
• Friday, November 28th
  2:00 pm, 4:30 pm, 7:00 pm
• Saturday, November 29th
  12:00 pm, 2:15 pm, 4:30 pm, 7:00 pm
• Sunday, November 30th
  11:30 am, 2:00 pm, 4:30 pm
• Monday, December 1st
  4:30 pm, 7:00 pm
• Tuesday, December 2nd
  4:30 pm, 7:00 pm
• Wednesday, December 3rd
  4:30 pm, 7:00 pm
• Thursday, December 4th
  4:30 pm, 7:00 pm
• Friday, December 5th
  2:00 pm, 4:30 pm, 7:00 pm
• Saturday, December 6th
  11:30 am, 2:00 pm, 4:30 pm, 7:00 pm
• Sunday, December 7th
  11:30 am, 2:00 pm, 4:30 pm
• Monday, December 8th
  4:30 pm, 7:00 pm
• Tuesday, December 9th
  4:30 pm, 7:00 pm