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X-15

  • 19611961
  • 1h 47m
IMDb RATING
5.6/10
640
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
X-15 (1961)
  • Drama
  • History
During the Cold War in the 1960s the U.S.A.F.and NASA tested the experimental rocket-powered aircraft X-15 that set altitude and speed records and reached the edge of outer space.During the Cold War in the 1960s the U.S.A.F.and NASA tested the experimental rocket-powered aircraft X-15 that set altitude and speed records and reached the edge of outer space.During the Cold War in the 1960s the U.S.A.F.and NASA tested the experimental rocket-powered aircraft X-15 that set altitude and speed records and reached the edge of outer space.
IMDb RATING
5.6/10
640
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Richard Donner
  • Writers
    • James Warner Bellah(screenplay)
    • Tony Lazzarino(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • David McLean
    • Charles Bronson
    • Ralph Taeger
Top credits
  • Director
    • Richard Donner
  • Writers
    • James Warner Bellah(screenplay)
    • Tony Lazzarino(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • David McLean
    • Charles Bronson
    • Ralph Taeger
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 20User reviews
    • 6Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos11

    X-15 (1961)
    Mary Tyler Moore and David McLean in X-15 (1961)
    X-15 (1961)
    X-15 (1961)
    X-15 (1961)
    X-15 (1961)
    X-15 (1961)
    X-15 (1961)
    X-15 (1961)
    X-15 (1961)

    Top cast

    Edit
    David McLean
    David McLean
    • Matt Powellas Matt Powell
    Charles Bronson
    Charles Bronson
    • Lt. Col. Lee Brandonas Lt. Col. Lee Brandon
    Ralph Taeger
    Ralph Taeger
    • Maj. Ernest Wildeas Maj. Ernest Wilde
    Brad Dexter
    Brad Dexter
    • Maj. Anthony Rinaldias Maj. Anthony Rinaldi
    Kenneth Tobey
    Kenneth Tobey
    • Col. Craig Brewsteras Col. Craig Brewster
    James Gregory
    James Gregory
    • Tom Deparmaas Tom Deparma
    Mary Tyler Moore
    Mary Tyler Moore
    • Pamela Stewartas Pamela Stewart
    Patricia Owens
    Patricia Owens
    • Margaret Brandonas Margaret Brandon
    Lisabeth Hush
    Lisabeth Hush
    • Diane Wildeas Diane Wilde
    Stanley Livingston
    Stanley Livingston
    • Mike Brandonas Mike Brandon
    Lauren Gilbert
    • Col. Jessupas Col. Jessup
    Phil Dean
    • Maj. McCullyas Maj. McCully
    Chuck Stanford
    • Lt. Cmdr. Joe Lacrosseas Lt. Cmdr. Joe Lacrosse
    Patty McDonald
    • Susan Brandonas Susan Brandon
    James Stewart
    James Stewart
    • Narratoras Narrator
    • (voice)
    Ric Applewhite
    • Engineeras Engineer
    • (uncredited)
    Robert Dornan
    • Test Engineeras Test Engineer
    • (uncredited)
    Ed Fleming
    • Self (newscaster)as Self (newscaster)
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Richard Donner
    • Writers
      • James Warner Bellah(screenplay)
      • Tony Lazzarino(screenplay) (story)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    At the height of the Cold War during the 1960s the U.S. Air Force and NASA tested an experimental rocket-powered research aircraft code-named X-15.The X-15 experiments were conducted at Edwards Air Force Base.The X-15 aircraft set altitude and speed records by reaching the edge of outer space.The project is managed by U.S. Air Force Colonel Craig Brewster and scientist Tom Deparma. The main test pilots are Matt Powell, Colonel Lee Brandon and Major Ernest Wilde.During the test flights the X-15 aircraft is dropped from a B-52 Stratofortress mother ship before starting its engine.The whole test team is enthusiastic about the project but the project is plagued by setbacks and near disasters right from the start. —nufs68
    • outer space
    • mid century modern
    • aerial camera shot
    • prologue
    • voice over narration
    • 36 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • The Rocket Ship That Challenged Outer Space!
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • History
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Richard Donner's feature film directorial debut.
    • Goofs
      During the engine test scene, the pilot is helped into X-15, serial number 66671. When the test begins, the serial number is showing 66672.
    • Quotes

      Lt. Col. Lee Brandon: When you're a man, you be a man.

    • Connections
      Featured in 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (2012)

    User reviews20

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    The DVD fits nicely in the library next to others such as The Right Stuff
    The recent success of the SpaceShipOne spacecraft brought back to mind the early attempt at sub-orbital flights. Its designer, told us that he based his design on the X-15. Growing up in the 60's and 70's, the space race was part of our lives and the X-15 program was one more step towards space supremacy between the USA and the Soviet Union. Although this beautiful bird was finally shelved, the courage and vision of its designers merits that we take a second look at it. This movie, presented almost like a NASA -US AIR Force documentary, stayed in my mind although I was just a kid when I saw it on TV, some 30 odd years ago. Filmed in the early sixties, this story introduces the viewer to the team of 3 pilots that relay each other in the seat of the X-15 experimental rocket plane. The family life of these test pilots is also interesting as it is explained that these men need emotional stability to do their job. We are introduced to a young Mary Tyler Moore as one of the pilots fiancée. A young Charles Bronson plays one of these family men / test pilots with great presence .The flying scenes footage is of relative good quality but the sub-orbital scenes are poorly crafted animations that look terribly amateurish as we are now used to Computer Generated Images and other new special effects techniques. All in all, this is a good movie for any space race fan, and the DVD fits nicely in the library next to others such as The Right Stuff, From the Earth to the Moon and Apollo 13. I gave it a 7 for historical and documentary value.
    helpful•5
    0
    • wakedph
    • Oct 9, 2004

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 22, 1961 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Die X-15 startklar
    • Filming locations
      • Edwards Air Force Base, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Essex Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $422,500 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 47 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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