Man on Wire | Rotten Tomatoes

Man on Wire

PG-13

Released Jul 25, 2008

1h 30m

Documentary

List

100%

160 Reviews

Tomatometer

87%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Using actual footage from the event seamlessly mingled with new re-enactments, filmmaker James Marsh masterfully recreates high-wire daredevil Philippe Petit's 1974 stunt: performing acrobatics on a thin wire strung between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. Plotting his feat like a master cat burglar, Petit enlists the help of a motley group of friends as he calculates every detail, from acquiring building access to stringing up the wire, and manages to pull off an astounding crime.

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Critics Consensus

James Marsh's doc about artist Phililppe Petit's artful caper brings you every ounce of suspense that can be wrung from a man on a (suspended) wire.

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TeXoR G

sooooo good, awesome story, was clenching my butt cheeks whole time

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/10/24

Full Review

Shael

The guts and persistence of our lead character makes this a legendary and timeless story.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/26/23

Full Review

scott s

This movie/doc is absolutely a must see; a mix between a caper and real life drama ! If you were told the story; you probably wouldn't believe it! Is Phillipe a daredevil or a hero, or lunatic ? I think he is all three. Watch him tightrope across the twin towers in NYC ; absolutely an incredible piece of work and art!! Don't miss this one; you won't be disappointed!! You'll be in awe !! Fantastic true story!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/03/23

Full Review

Thomas M

The best documentary movie ever made!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/26/22

Full Review

Audience Member

If you've seen Robert Zemeckis's "The Walk" starring Joseph-Gordon Levitt first, then you may recall its crafted faithfulness after taking a look onto this originally presented form of documentary engagingly whereas reminisced memory comes to re-enact and truly capture the appropriate spirit that too honors the artist's passionate stunt above the haunted fallen. (B+)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

dave s

In August 1974, Frenchman Phillipe Petit and a handful of accomplices secured a tightrope between the towers of the World Trade Center and, for forty-five minutes, entertained on-lookers and taunted the police. Man on Wire, a documentary chronicling the event, is a taut and thrilling account of the event, using still shots, present day interviews with those involved, archival footage, and newly shot recreations of events. While the stills, interviews and archival material are all endlessly fascinating, many of the recreations feel unnecessary and serve more as padding than anything else, hurting the overall impact of the movie. Despite this, regardless of how you judge the actions of Petit (a self-absorbed narcissist or a free-spirited rebel or something in between), Man on Wire never fails to entertain.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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James Marsh

Director

Annie Allix

Self

Jean François Heckel

Self

Simon Chinn

Producer

Nick Fraser

Executive Producer

Andrea Meditch

Executive Producer

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Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: B+

Feb 18, 2012

Full Review

Ben Kenigsberg

Time Out

Rated: 4/5

Nov 18, 2011

Full Review

Catherine Wheatley

Sight & Sound

The tension builds incrementally, reaching almost unbearable heights at its dizzying climax.

Jul 6, 2010

Full Review

Graeme Tuckett

Stuff.co.nz

Man On Wire is an astonishing, adorable, playful and absolutely unforgettable film.

Sep 27, 2021

Full Review

Mattie Lucas

From the Front Row

Reminds us that dreams can come true and men can fly, through the heights of the imagination and the triumph of the human spirit - this a film for all those who ever dared to dream.

Rated: 4/4

Jul 7, 2019

Full Review

Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

Some of the on-the-spot footage of the eccentric French thrillseeker's exploits truly boggle the mind (including a controversial stroll Petit once took across the Sydney Harbour Bridge).

Rated: 4/5

May 25, 2018

Full Review

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Synopsis

Using actual footage from the event seamlessly mingled with new re-enactments, filmmaker James Marsh masterfully recreates high-wire daredevil Philippe Petit's 1974 stunt: performing acrobatics on a thin wire strung between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. Plotting his feat like a master cat burglar, Petit enlists the help of a motley group of friends as he calculates every detail, from acquiring building access to stringing up the wire, and manages to pull off an astounding crime.

Director: James Marsh
Producer: Nick Fraser, Andrea Meditch
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Production Co: Discovery Films, UK Film Council
Rating: PG-13 (Some Sexuality|Some Nudity|Drug References)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English (United Kingdom)
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 25, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 17, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.0M
Runtime: 1h 30m

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