Don't miss this film just because it lacks the exposure of heavily promoted blockbusters. Man on Wire has more drama, suspense & artistic merit that the usual lot of summer movies combined. Narrating his own past with an enthusiasm that makes it palpable in the present, Phillipe Petit is dazzling! He is a man so alive & so in love with life, his desire to live on its edge becomes all the more fascinating. Friends & characters of his past who helped Petit achieve his dream are brought to tears as the recall and recount the sight of him smiling & laying down on a wire suspended 1368 feet in the air. During a press conference held after the stunt, even police officers seem unable to articulate just what it is they've witnessed. Petit's moment on top of the world is more than metaphorical, it is downright inspirational. He takes you there with him, moving the viewer beyond the apparent senselessness of the act, to a conviction of its absolute necessity for the sake of art, love, and life.

Great documentary about a forgotten subject. In light of loosing WTC on 911, this film reminded me of the great towers, and the man who made them his obsession and passion. I recommend this film.

If you are into some real interesting well-made documentaries, this is truly one to see! Everything about this film is excellent. The story is about Phillippe Petit, a high-wire performance artist who has done some of the most daring high-wire stunts (most illegal) in the world. Ultimately, his dream in the late 1960's was to span both of the World Trade Center buildings. He had seen the plans for the buildings and knew they would be, at the time, the tallest buildings in the world. As the towers were nearing completion in the early 1970's, the risky planning to get into them makes quite a mystery as to how he and his helpers were able to fool security, etc to accomplish their goal.. I won't expose any more of the story. Just go see it!!

Wonderfully constructed - the balance between original footage shot during the planning of the event and present-day interviews was perfect, presenting the events that led to this amazing stunt in a fun, uplifting, often hilarious, and occasionally suspenseful way. Documentaries have changed so much in recent years, from moments in time to thinly disguised propaganda films, so it was nice to see such a well-made return to form. Absolutely worth seeing! Take a date!

This (British) documentary is the fascinating true story of French high-wire walker PHILIPPE PETIT & his amazing unauthorized strolls across buildings around the world, including his unauthorized 1974 crossing between the two World Trade Center Towers in New York (when he was 25 years old). It?s easy to see why the film won awards at the Sundance Festival? the archival footage from the time of Petit & friends & associates spending months of preparation on arranging the walk, the difficulties faced, the recollections of his friends & others, the aftermath of his efforts, etc. The achievement was fantastic, & it brought back vivid memories to a lady sitting near me who was IN New York & witnessed the event at the time. The ads call the film ?exhilarating? and ?riveting?? and oddly enough, that?s really accurate!