Man on Wire
A charismatic French street performer transforms an illegal high-wire stunt between New York’s Twin Towers into an exhilarating portrait of friendship, obsession, and artistic daring.
Overview
A breathtaking journey of ambition and artistry unfolds as a daring performer risks it all for a moment of glory.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- exhilarating
- playful
- suspenseful
- inspiring afternoon
- documentary night
What critics said
Critics broadly acclaimed James Marsh’s artful documentary for turning Philippe Petit's audacious high-wire feat into a gripping, suspenseful, and emotionally engaging cinematic experience.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film combines contemporary interviews and archival footage with recreations of Philippe Petit's preparations and 1974 wire walk.
Petit walks, dances, kneels, and lies on a wire between the Twin Towers, treating altitude as a stage.
Petit's passion for high-wire performance drives the planning, illegal entry, and execution of the tower walk.
The tower crossing depends on Jean François Heckel, Jean-Louis Blondeau, Annie Allix, David Forman, and other friends.
Films like Man on Wire, and why
Free Solo
shared documentary suspense, real-life daring, and charismatic artistic subjects
Searching for Sugar Man
shared biographical documentary form, archival reconstruction, and intimate portrait of an obsessive artist
The Rescue
shared documentary tension, audacious real-world undertaking, and emphasis on friendship and personal conviction
Movie Details
- Director
- James Marsh
- Release Date
- 2008-08-01
- Runtime
- 94 min
- Rating
- 7.4 / 10 (999)
Cast
- Philippe Petit
- Jean François Heckel
- Jean-Louis Blondeau
- Annie Allix
- David Forman
- Alan Welner
- Barry Greenhouse
- Jim Moore
- Mark Lewis
- Richard Nixon
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Dox Amazon Channel, Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Man on Wire about?
- A charismatic French street performer transforms an illegal high-wire stunt between New York’s Twin Towers into an exhilarating portrait of friendship, obsession, and artistic daring.
- What is Man on Wire like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Man on Wire as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Man on Wire violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Man on Wire.
- What did critics think of Man on Wire?
- Critics broadly acclaimed James Marsh’s artful documentary for turning Philippe Petit's audacious high-wire feat into a gripping, suspenseful, and emotionally engaging cinematic experience.
- Which films are like Man on Wire?
- Films with a similar feel include Free Solo, Searching for Sugar Man, and The Rescue.
- How long is Man on Wire?
- Man on Wire runs 94 minutes.
- Where can I watch Man on Wire?
- In United States, Man on Wire streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Dox Amazon Channel, Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel.
