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The Gypsy Moths (1969)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
28 August 1969 (USA)
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Tagline:
When you turn on by falling free... when jumping is not only w way to live, but a way to die, too... you're a Gypsy Moth. more
Plot:
Three skydivers and their travelling thrill show barnstorm through a small midwestern town one Fourth of July weekend. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
User Comments:
Wonderful Cast Excels In Good Drama
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Cast
(Complete credited cast) | Burt Lancaster | ... | Mike Rettig |
 | Deborah Kerr | ... | Elizabeth Brandon |
 | Gene Hackman | ... | Joe Browdy |
 | Scott Wilson | ... | Malcolm Webson |
| William Windom | ... | V. John Brandon |
 | Bonnie Bedelia | ... | Annie Burke |
| Sheree North | ... | Waitress |
| Carl Reindel | ... | Pilot |
| Ford Rainey | ... | Stand Owner |
| John Napier | ... | Dick Donford |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
107 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Australia:PG (TV rating) |
West Germany:18 (f) |
Canada:14A (video rating) |
Finland:K-8 |
Sweden:15 |
USA:R |
Australia:G
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
During the filming of Gypsy Moths at the airfield in Benton, Kansas, the director, John Frankenheimer, wanted to get a real, horrified reaction from the extras playing the audience, so he had a Mannequin dressed like a skydiver and tied it under a helicopter which ascended a couple of hundred feet, then released the dummy. Most of the people hadn't noticed what had been rigged up, so when it fell, they thought it was a real person hitting the ground and he got the reaction he was looking for. One minor problem was that the pilot didn't gauge the wind accurately and the "skydiver" fell into the parked cars, narrowly missing some people and caving in the roof of an extra's ride. The studio bought the car for several times what it was worth and the damaged vehicle spent the rest of the shooting behind one of the hangers.
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Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: During the parachute jump that opens the film, the Gypsy Moths jump from the exact same plane flown by the same pilot they meet and hire - supposedly for the first time - in another town several days later.
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Quotes:
Allen Brandon:
What I don't understand is, why you do this thing at all.
Joe Browdy: To me, it's a business.
Allen Brandon: And you Mr. Rettig? What's it to you? If you don't mind my asking.
Mike Rettig: I had a friend in the Army, a sergeant, a parachutist for about 20 years. He used to say that jumping was not only a way to live, but also a way to die. Damn few things are.
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Joe Browdy: To me, it's a business.
Allen Brandon: And you Mr. Rettig? What's it to you? If you don't mind my asking.
Mike Rettig: I had a friend in the Army, a sergeant, a parachutist for about 20 years. He used to say that jumping was not only a way to live, but also a way to die. Damn few things are.
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Movie Connections:
Featured in The Sky Divers (1969)
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FAQ
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Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Gypsy Moths (1969)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
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| Deborah Kerr | 10emus |
| Still Photos | ohoyo13 |
| Tassel Twirling Girl | pplease |
Recommendations
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"The Gypsy Moths" is divided into a series of vignettes that explore a plethora of interesting characters. The slow-burn narrative allows a very good cast to shine. It's not a great movie, but it is well-directed and well-written, and it does present a variety of issues with honesty and taste. I was glad to see Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr together again (they starred in the 1953 classic "From Here To Eternity"). In fact, Lancaster and Kerr perform a steamy nude sex scene that is a bit more candid than their famous 'beach scene' from the 1953 - it is rare to see a mature couple do these kinds of scenes and I applaud all people involved for handling it in a tasteful manner. Gene Hackman appears in a supporting role. If you are a fan of any of these actors or you just want to see a good drama, I recommend you to give the film a chance.