X-15 (1961)

Director:

Richard Donner

Writers:

James Warner Bellah, Tony Lazzarino (screenplay),

Stars:

David McLean, Charles Bronson, Ralph Taeger

Cast

Cast overview:
David McLean	...	Matt Powell
Charles Bronson	...	Lt. Col. Lee Brandon
Ralph Taeger	...	Maj. Ernest Wilde
Brad Dexter	...	Maj. Anthony Rinaldi
Kenneth Tobey	...	Col. Craig Brewster
James Gregory	...	Tom Deparma
Mary Tyler Moore	...	Pamela Stewart
Patricia Owens	...	Margaret Brandon
Lisabeth Hush	...	Diane Wilde
Stanley Livingston	...	Mike Brandon
Lauren Gilbert	...	Col. Jessup
Phil Dean	...	Maj. McCully
Chuck Stanford	...	Lt. Cmdr. Joe Lacrosse
Patty McDonald	...	Susan Brandon
James Stewart	...	Himself / Narrator (voice)

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

test pilot | x 15 | rocket | experimental | independent film | 

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Taglines:

THIS IS THE STORY THAT STUNS THE IMAGINATION! (original print ad - all caps)

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 December 1961 (USA)

Also Known As:

Avião Foguete X-15

Filming Locations:

Edwards Air Force Base, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Essex Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Richard Donner's directorial debut.

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Goofs

During the engine test scene, the pilot is helped into X15, serial number 66671. When the test begins, the serial number is showing 66672.

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Connections

Referenced in Radio Flyer (1992)

User Reviews

A Major Disappointment

Unfortunately, what could have been a good movie is turned into a major disappointment by a decision to take all the aerial photography done in 4:3 format and stretch it to fit the 2.35:1 format used for the rest of the movie. This makes the aircraft look strange and unreal. It ruins the experience.

This should have been a "must see" movie for aviation buffs since it shows an important period in the development of aviation. But stretching the film to fit a widescreen format makes the scenes of the X-15, the B-52 mother-ship and the F-104 and F-100 chase planes look distorted and unrealistic. It is a real waste and a shame that the film producers were more concerned with using a widescreen than with a usable presentation.