Man on Wire
2008 · Movie · PG-13 · 94 min · ★ 7.4 · 95% critics
This documentary follows a daring plan to cross a wire high above New York City’s World Trade Center towers. Through interviews, photos, and reconstructions, it shows the planning, the nerves, and the determination behind an unforgettable real-life feat.
Where to watch
Watch free on Tubi — also streaming on Dox and Magnolia Selects.
2 hours to watch.
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Details
- Years
- 2008
- Release date
- 2008-08-01
- Language
- English
- Rated
- PG-13
- Runtime
- 94 min
- Critic score
- 95/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.4/10 (965 votes)
- Box office
- $5,258,569
About
You may like this if you enjoy true stories about bold, risky dreams and the planning behind them; Not for you if you want constant action or dislike documentaries built around interviews, photos, and reconstructions.
Pros: thrilling true story; memorable central personality; strong sense of daring | Cons: limited actual footage; slower middle stretch; can feel overlong
Themes
- judge
- 1970s
- juggler
- based on true story
- street artist
- jail
- fame
- hiding
- tower
- tightrope
- world trade center
- notre dame cathedral
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award — Best Documentary Feature Film · 2009
- Sundance Film Festival World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Documentary · 2008
- Sundance World Cinema Audience Award: Documentary · 2008
- European Film Award — Best Documentary · 2008 · nominated
Cast & crew
Philippe Petit
as Himself
- JH
Jean François Heckel
as Himself
- JB
Jean-Louis Blondeau
as Himself
- AA
Annie Allix
as Herself
- DF
David Forman
as Himself
- AW
Alan Welner
as Himself
- BG
Barry Greenhouse
as Himself
- JM
Jim Moore
as Himself
Mark Lewis
as Himself
Richard Nixon
as Self (archive footage)
Directed by James Marsh