The Man Who Walked Between the Towers (2005)

This animated film tells the story of Phillipe Petit's walk between the Twin Towers in 1974.

Director:

Michael Sporn

Writer:

Mordicai Gerstein (based on the book by)

Stars:

Jake Gyllenhaal

2 wins.

Cast

Credited cast:
Jake Gyllenhaal	...	Narrator (voice)

Storyline

Tells the story of Philippe Petit, the wire walker and street performer who walked across the sky, in 1974, on a cable that he and friends strung between the rooftops of the Twin Towers. Told as an animated children's book with an off-screen narrator, the film traces Philippe's passion and imagination, provides details of how he managed to get the wire in place, and completes the story of his subsequent arrest and his fitting punishment. The film celebrates his act as a thing of beauty that is part of our collective memory of the Twin Towers.

---

Plot Keywords:

tower | passion | arrest | wire walker | manhattan new york city | 

---

Genres:

Animation | Short

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 April 2005 (USA)

Box Office

Budget:

$60,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Michael Sporn Animation, Weston Woods Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

10 min

Color:

Color

User Reviews

OK, but not really my thing.

I'll immediately put up my hand and admit I only watched this because Jake Gyllenhaal narrated it. To be honest, if he hadn't and I could turn back time, I wouldn't have chosen to see it. Jake manages to put emotion and a sense of "awesome!!" into what Phillipe tries to do, but this is essentially a cartoon, and the animation ain't all that. I guess as someone brought up on Pixar I would say this, but while this style of drawing would look brilliant in a book, on film it...doesn't. However, the plot, based on the true story of someone who attempted to walk between the Twin Towers, is short but sweet. Jake's breathless will-he-won't-he attitude actually had me wanting to know whether he WOULD or not. If Jake ever gets bored with acting, he should take up voice-overs, or narrate children's books or something because he has a very radio-friendly voice. I would suggest people watch for Jake, but otherwise, only if you REALLY want to watch a French dude tight-rope walk.