Man on Wire

In 1974, a young French high-wire artist named Philippe Petit stepped out on a wire illegally rigged between New York's twin towers, then the world’s tallest buildings. After balancing for an hour on the wire without a safety net or harness, he was arrested, taken for psychological evaluation, and brought to jail before he was finally released. Having dreamt of walking between the towers for six and a half years Petit spent eight months in New York City planning the execution of his coup. Aided by friends and accomplices, Petit was faced with numerous extraordinary challenges: he had to find a way to bypass the WTC’s security, smuggle the equipment into the towers, span the wire between the two rooftops, then anchor and tension it to withstand the winds and the swaying of the buildings.

Keywords

  • Award Winning
  • fun
  • sport
  • suspense
  • urban living

Actors

  • Philippe Petit
  • Jean François Heckel

Director

  • James Marsh

Documentary


1h 30min


6 FSK

EN


DE

United Kingdom
2008
In 1974, a young French high-wire artist named Philippe Petit stepped out on a wire illegally rigged between New York's twin towers, then the world’s tallest buildings.

In 1974, a young French high-wire artist named Philippe Petit stepped out on a wire illegally rigged between New York's twin towers, then the world’s tallest buildings.


After balancing for an hour on the wire without a safety net or harness, he was arrested, taken for psychological evaluation, and brought to jail before he was finally released.


Having dreamt of walking between the towers for six and a half years Petit spent eight months in New York City planning the execution of his coup.


Aided by friends and accomplices, Petit was faced with numerous extraordinary challenges: he had to find a way to bypass the WTC’s security, smuggle the equipment into the towers, span the wire between the two rooftops, then anchor and tension it to withstand the winds and the swaying of the buildings.

Award
Academy Award

Festivals

Cast & Crew