“The Rope Walker” or “The Man on the Rope” is a famous English documentary released in 2008 by director James Marsh. In 2009, the film won the Academy Award for Best Feature Documentary. It should be noted, though, that in addition to the 2009 Academy Award, the film was also nominated for 34 awards, and won 26 of them.
The story of the film began when Simon Chinn, the film’s producer, met the tightrope walker Philippe Petit in the spring of 2005 on BBC Radio 4. Chinn then tried to buy and Petit the film rights to his acclaimed book “Reaching for the Clouds”. Petit did not give a definite answer, but after several months of deliberation decided to agree. But at the same time Petit set a condition that he would play a major role in the film.
After the film’s release, the director was repeatedly asked about the destruction of the towers, to which he replied that the tightrope walker stunt was so incredible and beautiful that it would simply be unfair and wrong to contaminate the story with any mention or discussion of the towers being destroyed.
The film tells the story of a stunt performed in New York City on August 7, 1974, by tightrope walker Philip Petit. Petit managed to walk without safety rope between the twin towers of the World Trade Center. The height was more than 400 meters above the ground. After the stunt, Petit was arrested. The film also includes rare amateur footage of the stunt preparation and photographs of the actual event. In addition, the film includes interviews with eyewitnesses. The story itself is based on Petit’s book, Reaching for the Clouds.
Even before the film was released, Petit was one of the most famous street rope walkers, famous for his spectacular performances. However, it is worth admitting that the August 7, 1974 performance was the most spectacular and memorable. The ropewalker was on the rope for 45 minutes, during which he walked back and forth eight times. His friend Annie said it was like he was walking on a cloud. There were many astounding moments when he sat down and even lay down on the rope. Everyone around him was fascinated by the sight of a lying tightrope walker at such a height.
It is also interesting that after his arrest, all charges were dropped by the court in exchange for a free performance for the children.
The passage became so popular that in addition to the book and documentary film, a children’s book was published called The Man Who Walked Between the Towers, describing the same event. In 2005, a short cartoon was made based on the book. In addition, in 2015 a movie, “The Walk,” based on the book “Reaching for the Clouds,” was released.
As for the documentary “The Rope-Walker” or “The Man on the Rope,” it was quite interesting and entertaining and worth watching.
