IMDb > The Great Waldo Pepper (1975)

The Great Waldo Pepper (1975) More at IMDbPro »


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Overview

User Rating:
6.4/10   2,147 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
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Director:
Writers:
George Roy Hill (story)
William Goldman (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Great Waldo Pepper on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
13 March 1975 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Robert Redford Takes to the Skies in This Rousing Adventure
Plot:
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... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
NewsDesk:
(2 articles)
Broadway Actor Manning Dies
 (From WENN. 20 September 2009, 4:01 PM, PDT)

Oscar-Winning Director George Roy Hill Dies at 81
 (From WENN. 27 December 2002)

User Comments:
Great For People Who Love These Old Planes more (20 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Robert Redford ... Waldo Pepper
Bo Svenson ... Axel Olsson
Bo Brundin ... Ernst Kessler

Susan Sarandon ... Mary Beth

Geoffrey Lewis ... Newt

Edward Herrmann ... Ezra Stiles

Philip Bruns ... Dillhoefer
Roderick Cook ... Werfel
Kelly Jean Peters ... Patsy

Margot Kidder ... Maude
Scott Newman ... Duke
James S. Appleby ... Ace
Patrick W. Henderson Jr. ... Scooter
James N. Harrell ... Farmer (as James Harrell)
Elma Aicklen ... Farmer's Wife
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Additional Details

Runtime:
107 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Filming Locations:
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
In his book "Adventures in the Screen Trade" writer William Goldman wrote that his original idea for the opening scene was cut. The idea was to open with a young boy trying to impress a young girl by holding out his arms and actually being able to fly. We then see the sky filled with young boys flying and young girls being impressed. The director felt the tone of that scene did not match the rest of the film. more
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: When Waldo Pepper walks out on the wing to practice his first wing walk, the shadow of the camera can be seen on the plane. more
Quotes:
Axel Olsson: Guess who's still alive...
[shouts]
Axel Olsson: Me!
more
Movie Connections:

FAQ

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15 out of 20 people found the following comment useful.
Great For People Who Love These Old Planes, 9 June 2006
7/10
Author: ccthemovieman-1 from Lockport, NY, United States

Anybody who likes old airplanes, stunt flying or just plain adventure and an interesting story should like this early Robert Redford film.

Redford plays the "The Great Waldo Pepper" as he barnstorms from place to place in the early 1900s. You see some wonderful bi-planes and the interesting characters who flew them. The most flamboyant person in this story is "Axel Olsson," played by Bo Svenson. He and Redford are intense competitors and the competition between the two is fun to witness, especially with humor thrown into the mix.

This film is noted for sporting a very young and beautiful Susan Sarandon who makes a very memorable exit from the film! Except for an excessive amount of usages of the Lord's name in vain, this would have been an excellent family film. Other actors whose names you might recognize in here are Edward Herrman, Georffrey Lewis and Margot Kidder.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Great Waldo Pepper (1975)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Ezra's plane Jester1981
How 'bout a DVD Upgrade? skidmark57
Pauline Kael called it 'cold-hearted'. She was right. *SPOILERS* threeoranges
Stunt Flying by Art Scholl thestilettoman
Bo Brundin is PERFECT as Kessler cubsfanart
what happened to Waldo? (possible spoiler!) pat-553
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