On the morning of August 7th, 1974, Frenchman Philippe Petit stepped off the roof of the World Trade Centre's South tower and onto a tethered wire cable. For 45 minutes he danced back and forth between the South and North towers, a quarter of a mile up in the air on a three quarter of an inch platform. Man On Wire, an astounding documentary film from British director James Marsh, looks back at this historic event using modern day interviews, archival footage and event re-creations.
Philippe Petit – Juggler, Performer, High Wire Artist
Petit's daring high wire performance became known as “the artistic crime of the century”. Months of reconnaissance trips and careful planning went into the escapade. The meticulous preparation featured in Marsh's film turns Petit's master plan for stringing up a wire between the twin towers into something akin to a heist movie. Petit, who had already walked a wire strung high up on Notre Dame cathedral in France, also talks eloquently about his love of death defying stunts. He describes them as poetry, and far from coming across like a crazy man, he exudes an absolute drive and passion. Afterwards, when asked why he did it, he simply replies “When I see three oranges I juggle, when I see two towers I walk.”
The Beauty of Man On Wire
Marsh's film enhances the beauty Petit clearly sees and feels when he's walking the wire by using enigmatic music. Despite some truly vertigo-inducing scenes, Man On Wire manages to convey Petit's own personal joy, and the overwhelming love and support of his friends. Girlfriend Annie is so completely caught up in the world of the charismatic Petit that she has no fears for him whatsoever. She is full of exuberance at the sight of him walking the wire, as though his dreams have become her own.
Philippe Petit Falls Out With his Friends After Walking Between the Twin Towers
It is the very human story of these people, who helped Petit achieve his goal, that provides contrast in the film. After the event, when all criminal charges against Petit were dropped and he became the toast of the town, his devoted friends are all very much forgotten about. Petit seems happy to discard them now they have served their purpose in helping him. This change of focus documents the excessive narcissism that is also a part of Petit's personality. Once he achieved public recognition for his daring deed, he wasted no time in ditching his adoring girlfriend for the first groupie to come along, and he clearly felt no guilt that other friends were deported for their role in the proceedings that brought him fame. It is a sad conclusion to the magical images of Petit dancing in the sky.
A Tribute to the World Trade Centre
The other overwhelming sadness about Man On Wire is the constant knowledge that the twin towers are no longer there. The film never draws specific attention to the events of 9/11, but certain shots do resonate with the shocking awareness of the devastating horror to come. The film treats the World Trade Centre itself with great reverence and respect. Man On Wire is a fitting tribute to the building, and a joyful celebration of a time long gone.
Further reading: Man On Wire won the Bafta for Outstanding British film. Check out who else won Bafta Awards in 2009 here.
- Man On Wire
- Director: James Marsh
- Writer: Based on Philippe Petit's book To Reach the Clouds
- Starring: Philippe Petit
- Language: English/French
- Running time: 94 minutes
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