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Poster for Man on Wire

Man on Wire

Seen it?

2008 | 94 min | Documentary

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office flop and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for the curious. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Eye-opening.
The pace
Moves along nicely, at 1 hr 34 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated PG-13. Probably too much for younger kids.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

On August 7th 1974, French tightrope walker Philippe Petit stepped out on a high wire, illegally rigged between New York's World Trade Center twin towers, then the world's tallest buildings. After nearly an hour of performing on the wire, 1,350 feet above the sidewalks of Manhattan, he was arrested. This fun and spellbinding documentary chronicles Philippe Petit's "highest" achievement.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 89 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.4 out of 10

  • AwardsSolid

    Won 1 Oscar: Best Documentary Feature Film. Plus 2 other awards.

  • Box office & staying powerWeak

    $5 million worldwide

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 62K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by James Marsh

  • Philippe PetitHimself
  • Jean François HeckelHimself
  • Jean-Louis BlondeauHimself
  • Annie AllixHerself
  • David FormanHimself
  • Alan WelnerHimself
  • Barry GreenhouseHimself
  • Jim MooreHimself
  • Mark LewisHimself
  • Richard NixonSelf (archive footage)