The Great Waldo Pepper main backdrop
The Great Waldo Pepper main poster

The Great Waldo Pepper

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6.4/10 • 80

1975-03-131h 48m

AdventureDrama

The second greatest flyer in the world.

A biplane pilot who had missed flying in WWI takes up barnstorming and later a movie career in his quest for the glory he had missed.

Directors
George Roy Hill
Writters
William Goldman
Editors
William Goldman, William Reynolds

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Robert Redford

    Robert Redford

    Waldo Pepper

  2. Bo Svenson

    Bo Svenson

    Axel Olsson

  3. Bo Brundin

    Bo Brundin

    Ernst Kessler

  4. Susan Sarandon

    Susan Sarandon

    Mary Beth

  5. Geoffrey Lewis

    Geoffrey Lewis

    Newt

  6. Edward Herrmann

    Edward Herrmann

    Ezra Stiles

  7. Philip Bruns

    Philip Bruns

    Dilhoefer

  8. Roderick Cook

    Roderick Cook

    Werfel

  9. Kelly Jean Peters

    Kelly Jean Peters

    Patsy

Reviews2

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Patrick E. Abe Avatar

Patrick E. Abe

Sep 21, 2016

6/10

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

Media

  • The Great Waldo Pepper backdrop
  • The Great Waldo Pepper backdrop

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
$5,000,000.00
Revenue
$20,642,922.00
Keywords
world war iaerial combatred baronbiplaneflying acebarnstormingfighter acestunt pilotthe red baronairplane pilot