Waldo Pepper (Redford) is a former WWI biplane pilot who feels he missed out on his chance to earn glory during the war and dreams of being the first man to perform the risky "outside loop." Screenplay by William Goldman after Hill's story. And the climactic sequence, while it may seem unlikely to some, is actually based (perhaps loosely) on a similar incident that occurred during the filming of either "Hells' Angels" or "Wings" in the late 1920's. After WW1, an ex-pilot takes up barn-storming and chance-meets a former German ace fighter pilot with whom he co-stars in Hollywood war movies depicting aerial dog-fights. He has no hope of winning, so he is willing to tweak the establishment. Waldo Pepper (Robert Redford) is a former WWI biplane pilot who feels he missed out on his chance to earn glory during the war and dreams of being the first man to perform the risky outside loop. The Great Waldo Pepper (1975), the story of a barnstorming pilot, was culled from some evocative childhood memories, yet despite the star power of Redford, it was not a success. Get the latest news on coronavirus impacts on general aviation, including what AOPA is doing to protect GA, event cancellations, advice for pilots to protect themselves, and more. Drama, Certificate: GP ‘The Great Waldo Pepper’ (1975) is director George Roy Hill’s ode to the barnstorming era of aviation. The story of a pilot (Robert Redford) who missed out on combat in World War I and becomes a barnstormer in the 1920s, Waldo Pepper is full of hair-raising stunts, near-crashes, and biplane disasters resulting in numerous injuries and deaths. The Great Waldo Pepper (1975) Trivia (22) Add new There are no studio takes in airplanes. In 1920, Locklear received the first aviation law violation for “reckless aerial driving” over Los Angeles. Redford's looks and charisma, coupled with the fact that while he is still pretty young he does have a few visible age lines, make him perfect for the part of a debonair flyboy, ten years removed from World War I, who is stubbornly resisting the increasing regulation of flying as a profession. (It's also good that no sequel was made - I'd hate to see the Kessler character return to Germany, join Hitler's Luftwaffe and commit suicide.) Desperate for cash, he resorts to "barnstorming" with his unique style of aerial showmanship, but soon lands in Hollywood as a stunt pilot. User. If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the discussion and see lists of open tasks and regional and topical task forces. It’s about having the right stuff at the wrong time. It was the story, after all, of a boy who never grew up, a man who wasn’t much on the ground, but who lived to fly, and was the second-best pilot alive. This FAQ is empty. His “Locklear Flying Circus” thrilled audiences across the country, with Locklear jumping between airplanes in flight. Set during 1926–1931, the film stars Robert Redford as a disaffected World War I veteran pilot who missed the opportunity to fly in combat, and examines his sense of postwar dislocation in 1920s America. A mountain man who wishes to live the life of a hermit becomes the unwilling object of a long vendetta by the Crow tribe and proves to be a match for their warriors in single combat on the early frontier. The Great Waldo Pepper is a 1975 American drama film directed, produced, and co-written by George Roy Hill. The story revolves around Waldo Pepper, a flight instructor from the post-Word War … View production, box office, & company info. Talk:The Great Waldo Pepper. Keith Loh . This movie has stood the test of time. Locklear starred in the 1919 film The Great Air Robbery, which was produced as a showcase for his aerial stunts. The Great Waldo Pepper received mixed reviews from the critics, although many were impressed by the aerial scenes, which were photographed using real aircraft. Billy Pilgrim has mysteriously become unstuck in time. Geoffrey Lewis' Newt Potts, Pepper's old squadron commander, represents the future that Pepper is trying to avoid. The flying sequences are magnificent. In 1926 Nebraska, charismatic stunt pilot, Waldo Pepper thrills the local farming communities by selling five minute flights. And so Waldo Pepper is a story about missed opportunities. A Hollywood director says it to Waldo Pepper, who was just too late to do his stuff as an ace in the Great War and now has a job, under a phony name, as a stunt flyer for the early talkies. It did well in theaters, earning $20 million on a $5 million budget. The Great Waldo Pepper is vastly entertaining and a good deal more besides. The Great Waldo Pepper. And the Swedish actor Bo Brundin puts in a great turn as Ernst Kessler, German fighter ace turned barnstormer, who has long since realized that the bravery and chivalry he found in the air (both among comrades and opponents) is rarely found on the ground. Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association Find it free on the store. Use the HTML below. With Robert Redford, Bo Svenson, Bo Brundin, Susan Sarandon. Francis Ave, Los Angeles, California, USA. I saw The Great Waldo Pepper in its first theatrical release back in 1975. There's no CGI here, folks. Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. The fictional Waldo Pepper, portrayed by Robert Redford, was a compilation of many barnstormers, and Pepper, too, died young. Robert Redford plays Waldo Pepper, a former World War I pilot who exaggerates his accomplishments in order to impress the rabble. The talented stunt pilots are credited under the umbrella of Tallmantz Aviation, which I'm guessing was formed by legendary stunt pilots Frank Tallman and Paul Mantz. Come True. This article is within the scope of WikiProject Film. A rodeo star past his prime steals his company's horse and rides into the desert, with a feisty reporter accompanying him. Synopsis. Desperate for cash, he resorts to "barnstorming" with his unique style of aerial showmanship, but soon lands in Hollywood as a stunt pilot. Waldo had missed the fighting, and was bitter about it. It’s set in the years after the war and deals with what happened to some of the heroes once the war machines wheels stopped turning. The new warden of a small prison farm in Arkansas tries to clean it up of corruption after initially posing as an inmate. The last scene of the film returns to the photo album, with a picture of Waldo and the caption, “Waldo Pepper, 1895–1931.”. Full of exciting aerial acrobatics, adventure, and an appreciation for the innocence and simplicity of the interwar time period, The Great Waldo Pepper is a real outside loop! Trailer JustWatch. He was killed in August while performing a nighttime spin for the film The Skywayman, which was rushed into theaters complete with the fatal crash scene. It is both fun to watch and has some depth to it - it is not just a piece of fluff. Written by The Great Waldo Pepper (1975) is the story of the aviators who survived the war in the air and returned to civilian life needing to scratch a … Earl Daugherty and Speed Holman were also barnstorming pilots of the era. Dining with a local family one evening, Waldo reveals that he became a flyer at the very end of The Great War and flew against the famous German ace, Ernst Kessler. Certificate: M 1975/color/108 min/PG/widescreen.The Great Waldo Pepper (DVD) In 1950s Cuba, a professional gambler falls for a woman heavily involved in the revolution movement. The friendship between two Arizona dirt bike racers is tested when they both lust for an attractive runaway young woman who joins them on the racing circuit. Bo Svensen is a great complement as the slightly older, more experienced, and more even-keeled Axel Olsson. But I could be wrong there. 35 of 36 people found this review helpful. Cast: Robert Redford, Bo Svenson, Bo Brundin, Geoffrey Lewis, Susan Sarandon, Margot Kidder ao. The Great Waldo Pepper. Thing is, the story—while true as far as the film is concerned—didn’t happen to Waldo; it happened to another pilot. The only possible anachronism that I can spot is Kessler's stunt plane, which looks a little too advanced for 1928. You should check it out. Overview. I first saw this film in the theater almost 30 years ago and have caught it a few times on TV since. Daugherty, like Locklear, worked as a movie stunt pilot. To use this banner, please refer to the documentation. 98%. The Great Waldo Pepper ; Where to watch. Was this review helpful to you? Adventure. 44 likes. Based on a story by director George Roy Hill, who flown as a US Marine Corps pilot in WWII and Korea, and directed Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Sting, Waldo Pepper is genuinely a distinguished film-maker and aviator’s salute to the great flyers of the past. The Great Waldo Pepper (1975) PG 03/13/1975 (US) Action , Adventure , Drama 1h 48m. A New York district attorney works and flirts with his adversary and her kooky artist client, who is on trial for a murder she didn't commit. A lot of the plane information was obtained from this site. Thus it is a nice touch that Udet is shown in the opening photo montage. Dennis K. Johnson is an aviation writer and pilot living in New York City. I've been a fan ever since. A biplane pilot who had missed flying in WWI takes up barnstorming and later a movie career in his quest for the glory he had missed, eventually getting a chance to prove himself in a film depicting the dogfights in the Great War. Like Locklear, they both died in flying accidents. Finally, I was able to find a DVD copy on E-Bay (apparently it is not currently available on DVD through normal means) and I am glad I did so. A biplane pilot who had missed flying in WWI takes up barnstorming and later a movie career in his quest for the glory he had missed, eventually getting a chance to prove himself in a film depicting the dogfights in the Great War. The Great Waldo Pepper depicts barnstorming during the 1920s and the accidents that led to aviation regulations b… These are real aircraft - beautiful replicas of Curtiss Jennies, Standard E-4's, and of course the Sopwith Camel and Fokker Triplane (plus a few others) - doing real stunt flying. I saw The Great Waldo Pepper in its first theatrical release back in 1975. Play Trailer. This is also notable, on a personal level, as the first place I ever saw Susan Sarandon. Watch Now. Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. The German pilot depicted in the film was based on Ernst Udet, the second-highest scoring German ace of World War I. First doing barnstorming to show off his aerobatic talents, he ultimately becomes a movie stunt pilot. ... Great aerial stunts, good period atmosphere, and compelling story with Redford in good form. Not a member? Robert Redford takes to the skies in this rousing adventure! From the iconic to the eclectic, relive the most memorable moments from the Oscars red carpet. The pilots depicted are Ormer Locklear (1891-1920), Earl Daugherty (1887-1928), Speed Holman (1898-1931), and Ernst Udet (1896-1941). Udet barnstormed after the war, had a shortened version of "Lola" painted on his Fokker D-VII, and had a fight similar to the epic battle that is an important subplot in the movie. Nor was the Paul Newman vehicle Slap Shot (1977), a raucous look at the lives of minor league ice hockey players. Tallman himself flew in this film (and died in a crash three years later; Mantz died making "Flight of the Phoenix," another of my favorite flight movies, in 1965.) In 1928, Holman set the record of 1,433 consecutive loops in an airplane. TV Shows. “The Great Waldo Pepper” (1975) ... Based on a true story, Cruise plays Barry Seal, a pilot who flew missions for the CIA, a drug cartel, and also the DEA. Yeah, he was a busy guy. Hell, she still looks great. In reality, the events told by Waldo happened to another pilot, but he has claimed the story as his. But when he crosses paths on set with a German pilot he claims he fought and beat during the war, a high-flying showdown ensues. The Great Waldo Pepper The Great Waldo Pepper is vastly entertaining and a good deal more besides. He goes on an uncontrollable trip back and forth from his birth in New York to life on a distant planet and back again to the horrors of the 1945 fire-bombing of Dresden. It was a period that ran from the end of WWI to 1927, when Charles Lindbergh made his historic flight. This is the true story of Waldo Waterman, pioneer aviator, aircraft manufacturer, engineer, barnstormer, inventor and test pilot. Podtalk: Actor/Writer Bo Svenson is Still Walking Tall at Age 80, William Goldman, Oscar-winning screenwriter who put words in the mouths of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, dead at age 87, William Goldman, Princess Bride and Butch Cassidy Writer, Dies at 87. For the fans of The Great Waldo Pepper and George Roy Hill movies. Cast; Crew; Details; Genres; Cast. 1975 Directed by George Roy Hill. ©2021 Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Gogo Vision 360 – A Premium Inflight Entertainment Experience, ‘Red Tails’ screening draws Black History Month to close. From "Dexter" to The Suicide Squad, here are our picks for the reboots and remakes we're most excited for in 2021 and beyond. (1975). Plot – In the 1920s America, many former pilots of the military aviation make a living performing with their aircraft in front of small crowds in the countryside. Ed Herrmann is the embodiment of the "seat of your pants" spirit of the early aircraft producers. THE GREAT WALDO PEPPER (1975) USA colour 103m. There are no model airplanes or computer-generated scenes in this film. Among them is Waldo Pepper, who likes to tell the story of his battle against the German pilot Ernst Kessler. Suite de 10 minutos de la Banda Sonora Original de la película "El Carnaval de las Águilas" (The Great Waldo Pepper), compuesta por Henry Mancini en 1975. Kidder had a central supporting role in the airplane-themed drama The Great Waldo Pepper (1975) opposite Robert Redford and Susan Sarandon, followed by a lead role in the psychological horror film The Reincarnation of Peter Proud, directed by J. Lee Thompson, in which she portrayed a woman about whom a college professor has recurring nightmares. Title: Minari. The Great Waldo Pepper is rated PG, so it’s a great film to share with young pilots-to-be. The cast includes Margot Kidder, Bo Svenson, Edward Herrmann and Susan Sarandon. Dennis K. Johnson is an aviation writer living in New York. THE GREAT WALDO PEPPER, directed and produced by George Roy Hill; screenplay by William Goldman, based on a story by Mr. Hill; director of … A biplane pilot who had missed flying in WWI takes up barnstorming and later a movie career in his quest for the glory he had missed. He died by suicide during World War II. Summary – The Great Waldo Pepper (1975) While researching this movie, I ran across impdb.org, which is a database of planes in film. A Midwesterner becomes fascinated with his nouveau riche neighbor, who obsesses over his lost love. ... and compelling story with Redford in good form. Under the opening titles of the 1975 movie. All close-ups of actors being airborne were done for real, sometimes with George Roy Hill, a former Marine pilot himself, flying the airplane while directing. Locklear was a nationally known barnstormer, Hollywood movie stunt pilot, and actor, even though his career spanned just two years. In 1909, when young Paiute Indian Willie Boy returns to his California reservation to be with Lola, whose father disapproves of him, a killing in self defense takes place, triggering a massive man hunt for Willie. Directed by George Roy Hill. The casting is excellent - not a single actor is unfit for the part. Quietly cocky Robert Redford joins U.S. ski team as downhill racer and clashes with the team's coach, played by Gene Hackman. Already a member? Dortmunder and his pals plan to steal a huge diamond from a museum. Directed by George Roy Hill. Redford, in fine matinee-idol form, is dashing and charismatic as he re-teams with his frequent collaborater, Academy Award-winning director George Roy Hill. The last scene of the film returns to the photo album, with a picture of Waldo and the caption, “Waldo Pepper, 1895–1931.” The story revolves around Waldo Pepper, a flight instructor from the post-Word War … You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Beautiful aircraft, great flying sequences, fine acting, and even a real plot - what more could you want? Kessler is based on Ernst Udet, the second-highest scoring German ace of WWI. Score. After a brief rivalry with air-show entrepreneur Axel Olsson (Bo Svenson), Pepper teams with Axel to barnstorm all over the Midwest; later, after a series of unexpected (and calamitous) events, Pepper gets a job as a movie stunt pilot. Phil Bruns is a convincing "carnival barker" as Doc Dillhoeffer. Waldo only wishes he got the chance to face off against Kessler. Between the wars, Udet flew as a stunt pilot for movies and in airshows. Add the first question. So it’s no wonder that Waldo Pepper was a passion project for Hill. Bill McKay is a candidate for the U.S. Senate from California. The fictional Waldo Pepper, portrayed by Robert Redford, was a compilation of many barnstormers, and Pepper, too, died young. Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? 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