Philippe Petit begins: "I started as a young self-taught wire walker, to dream of not so much conquering the universe but, as a poet, conquering beautiful stages." As film-watchers, though we initially approach Petit's wire walking as courage and athleticism, we learn very quickly that the athlete and his comrades view it first and foremost as a form of performance art. As collaborators and friends are interviewed, it becomes plain that they were absolutely consumed with and commanded by the stunning beauty and artistry of what they were participating in. During the Notre Dame walk, the elegiac Jean Louis Blondeau observes that it is "Something that's so beautiful, not only does it not hurt somebody, but gives something to somebody ... It's a dream." And Petit tells us that his world is "basically the world of a poet or a writer who decides to write in the sky." A bit melodramatic you might say? The moment you see Petit perform, you learn there's nothing remotely melodramatic or deceptive about this mild-mannered yet ferocious individual; he's the real deal. Accompanying this gorgeous film (with much vintage footage of NYC, Paris, and Sydney) is an equally gorgeous soundtrack. The harvested music is gentle, contemplative, and transcendental, with the selection of each piece connoting painstaking consideration including (but certainly not limited to) an excerpt from Ralph Vaughan Williams' "Lark Ascending," one of the most elegant pieces of early 20th century symphonic music ever written.
So much frenzied planning and activity precedes the WTC walk that it's unclear what to expect once it commences. Yet as soon as Petit takes that first step, we become enveloped in the warmth of his concentration, certainty, and intrepidness. Set to the reassuring calmness of Erik Satie's "Gymnopedies," the walk between the Twin Towers is at the same time spectacular and quietly elegant, monumental and humbly poetic, frightening yet tranquil. Petit is commanding and celebratory, at the height of his prowess, and seems to be in complete peace. The fusion of art, strength, and daring is mystifying, just as Petit wants it. His companion Annie Allix watched from the ground below, and there's a still powerful and visible sense of exhilaration as she recalls it: "It was extraordinary ... It was like he was walking on a cloud. And there were such amazing moments ... when he lay down ... We were thrilled by this image of Philippe lying down up above ... It was so beautiful!" Collaborator Jim Moore recalls: "The awe of the event and the overwhelming scale of the situation ... was magical ... profound." It's clear that each participant was affected in ways that have lasted a lifetime. Petit would later say the towers were his throne, "the sun my scepter, my cape the wind." There are no moving images of the WTC walk, only still photography--a testament to the enduring power of the photograph. Petit later observed that he was initially "devastated" that there were no movie images, but that "now 35 years later I think it's fabulous that there is no film." The documentary's focus is on the personalities, the caper, and the artistry, not the "whys" compelling the dare. Petit would later say that what made these walks so beautiful is that there were no whys. As for the storyline involving Philippe's desertion of his friends as his fame grew, that appears to have involved a bit of literary license.
Says Petit, "Living intensely is a magnificent way of living ... But it doesn't happen every day. One has to fight for it." Most of us ordinary folk may not be able to follow our passions with the precise same vigor and apparent fearlessness of a Philippe Petit. But we can certainly try to live life to the fullest, to give our personal best, to be just a little less pragmatic and a little more inspired. Man On Wire makes you want to do that. What more can one ask of a film. Petit leaves us with this: "Life should be lived on the edge of life. You have to experience rebellion, to refuse to taper yourself to rules, to refuse [to deny] your own success ... to see every day, every year, every idea as a true challenge. And then you have only to live your life on a tight rope."
Add Prime
to get Fast, Free delivery
$6.99 with 50 percent savings
List Price: $13.97 
The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price.
Learn more
Learn more
| Additional DVD options | Edition | Discs | Price | New from | Used from |
|
DVD
December 26, 2008 "Please retry" | — | 1 | $6.72 | $5.76 |
|
DVD
October 14, 2016 "Please retry" | — | 1 | $11.99 | $4.50 |
Watch Instantly with 
| Rent | Buy |
Frequently bought together
This item: Man on Wire
$6.99
Get it as soon as Thursday, May 22
In Stock
+
$9.77
Get it as soon as Monday, May 26
In Stock
Total price: $00
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
From the manufacturer
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2013
- Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2015
Top reviews from other countries
-
-
-
Valeria c.Reviewed in Mexico on October 23, 2023
Todo bien.
Me encanta y llegó antes de lo esperado.Valeria c.Todo bien.
Reviewed in Mexico on October 23, 2023
Es región 1.
Solo tiene subtitulos en inglés y francés.
Images in this review
