The Great Waldo Pepper

1975

1h 48m

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

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35 Images

Adventure

Drama

A biplane pilot and WWI veteran takes up barnstorming and later a movie career in his quest for the glory days he misses.

Directors

George Roy Hill

Writers

George Roy Hill(story by)

William Goldman(writer by)

Stars

Robert Redford

Bo Svenson

Bo Brundin

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Trailer
Watch The Great Waldo Pepper (1975) - Official Trailer

Top cast

Waldo Pepper

Axel Olsson

Ernst Kessler

Mary Beth

Newt

Ezra Stiles

Dilhoefer

Werfel

Patsy

Maude

Duke

Ace

Patrick W. Henderson Jr.

Scooter

Farmer

Farmer's Wife

Farmer's Daughter

Director, Western Set

John Reilly

Western Star

Directors

George Roy Hill

Writers

George Roy Hill(story by)

William Goldman(writer by)

All cast & crew

Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Former World War I pilot Waldo Pepper barnstorms across rural America, giving 5 minute rides to skeptical townsfolk. Clearly the people behind this project love aviation and capture the feel of the post-World-War-I era when "the sky's the limit" was literally true. The downside of early aviation is shown via the ups and downs of "Doc Dilhoefer's Flying Circus," where a novice wing walker freezes in place. The long arm of the FAA catches up to Waldo because "it's time that aviation got civilized." With limited opportunities after being grounded for life, Waldo finds salvation at the movies, where danger is ever-present in the rickety, worn-out planes and fatal stunts for the camera. An old nemesis that Waldo missed meeting over France, Ernst Kessler (Ernst Udet?), arrives for the next project--the epic three vs. one dogfight. With the FAA closing in, Waldo's days in the air are numbered, though he's in better shape than the down-at-heels Kessler. Waldo and Kessler leave their parachutes behind as the cameras roll; this aerial ballet is going to be a battle! 7/10

Otokichi78621 Sep, 2016