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On August 7th 1974, a young Frenchman named Philippe Petit stepped out on a wire illegally rigged between New York's twin towers, then the world’s tallest buildings. After nearly an hour dancing on the wire, he was arrested, taken for psychological evaluation, and brought to jail before he was finally released.
Following six and a half years of dreaming of the towers, Petit spent eight months in New York City planning the execution of the coup. Aided by a team of friends and accomplices, Petit was faced with numerous extraordinary challenges: he had to find a way to bypass the WTC’s security; smuggle the heavy steel cable and rigging equipment into the towers; pass the wire between the two rooftops; anchor the wire and tension it to withstand the winds and the swaying of the buildings. The rigging was done by night in complete secrecy. At 7:15 AM, Philippe took his first step on the high wire 1,350 feet above the sidewalks of Manhattan…
James Marsh’s documentary brings Petit’s extraordinary adventure to life through the testimony of Philippe himself, and some of the co-conspirators who helped him create the unique and magnificent spectacle that became known as “the artistic crime of the century.”
 
Directed by James Marsh
Produced by Simon Chinn
Executive Producer Jonathan Hewes
Co Producer Victoria Gregory
Co Producer Maureen A. Ryan
Director of Photography Igor Martinovic
Film Editor Jinx Godfrey
Music by Michael Nyman
Additional Music By J. Ralph
based on the book “To Reach The Clouds”
by Philippe Petit
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“ERUPTS ONSCREEN AS ONE OF THE MOST WILDLY ENTERTAINING DOCS OF RECENT YEARS. AN ADVENTURE TALE THAT ASTONISHES IN EVERY RESPECT."
– Robert Koehler, Variety
“RIVETING. This exhilarating film makes you shake your head in amazement.”
– Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
“EXHILARATING.” – Stephen Holden, New York Times
“Shows, step by thrilling step, how Philippe Petit pulled off his astonishing tightrope walk between the twin towers of the World Trade Center in 1974. NO DOC—AND NO FICTIONAL FILM [AT SUNDANCE]—WAS MORE PURELY ENTERTAINING.”
– David Ansen, Newsweek
“EXHILARATING! A crowd pleaser in such witty, poetic ways that even a curmudgeon couldn’t deny.” – Aaron Hillis, Village Voice
“HIGHLY ENTERTAINING AND DEEPLY MOVING. The film relates the complex tale with the breathlessness of a caper thriller.” – Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
“BREATHTAKING.” – Harlan Jacobson, USA Today
“EUPHORIC AND WILDLY ENTERTAINING. A magnificently eccentric film about imagination, risk taking and creative self-expression.” – Scott Foundas, LA Weekly
“THRILLING AND PROFOUND. Filled with jaw-dropping footage of NYC and paced like a heist film, the movie reaches great heights.” – Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out New York
“THERE IS NO WAY A REVIEW CAN ADEQUATELY CONVEY ITS COMPLICATED RESONANCE, OR ITS SUBTLE POETIC TRANSFORMATION. Director Marsh has done much more than document one man’s unlikely accomplishment; he has restored those towers to us as symbols of joy and transcendence.” – Andrew O’Hehir, Salon
“BREATHTAKING! A HEART POUNDING THRILLER. It is impossible not to get caught up in the sheer audacity of Phillippe Petit’s plan.” – S. James Snyder, New York Sun
“Don’t Miss! The finale is stunning and heart-stopping.” – Sara Cardace, New York Magazine
“NO AMOUNT OF DESCRIPTION CAN TRANSMIT THE PASSION AND JOY IN THIS WONDERFUL PICTURE. GRADE A+.” – Cole Smithey
“IT’S TOO ELECTRIC AND GRIPPING TO BE CALLED A MERE DOCUMENTARY.”
– Jeffrey Wells, Hollywood Elsewhere
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