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IMDbPro

Sunshine Superman

  • 20142014
  • PGPG
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
64,841
2,794
Sunshine Superman (2014)
Trailer for Sunshine Superman
Play trailer2:11
2 Videos
9 Photos
DocumentaryBiographySport
A heart-racing documentary portrait of Carl Boenish, the father of the BASE jumping movement, whose early passion for skydiving led him to ever more spectacular -and dangerous- feats of foot... Read allA heart-racing documentary portrait of Carl Boenish, the father of the BASE jumping movement, whose early passion for skydiving led him to ever more spectacular -and dangerous- feats of foot-launched human flight.A heart-racing documentary portrait of Carl Boenish, the father of the BASE jumping movement, whose early passion for skydiving led him to ever more spectacular -and dangerous- feats of foot-launched human flight.
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
64,841
2,794
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Marah Strauch
    • Writer
      • Marah Strauch
    • Stars
      • Carl Boenish
      • Pat Sajak(archive footage)
      • Phil Donahue(archive footage)
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Marah Strauch
    • Writer
      • Marah Strauch
    • Stars
      • Carl Boenish
      • Pat Sajak(archive footage)
      • Phil Donahue(archive footage)
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 8User reviews
    • 49Critic reviews
    • 70Metascore
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 2 nominations

    Videos2

    Sunshine Superman
    Trailer 2:11
    Sunshine Superman
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:09
    Official Trailer

    Photos9

    Sunshine Superman (2014)
    Sunshine Superman (2014)
    Sunshine Superman (2014)
    Sunshine Superman (2014)
    Sunshine Superman (2014)
    Sunshine Superman (2014)
    Sunshine Superman (2014)
    Phil Mayfield in Sunshine Superman (2014)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Carl Boenish
    • Self
    Pat Sajak
    Pat Sajak
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Phil Donahue
    Phil Donahue
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Cecilie Bull
    Cecilie Bull
    • Screening Party Attendee
    John Long
    John Long
    • Self
    Marah Strauch
    Marah Strauch
    • Jean Boenish
    Eric Bruggemann
    • Screening Party Extra
    Eric Mofford
    • Screening Party Extra
    Christian Bruno
    • Phil Smith
    Jean Boenish
    • Self
    Allison McCulloch
    Allison McCulloch
    • Screening Party Attendee
    Selia Hansen
    Selia Hansen
    • Pretty Girl
    Ellen Houlihan
    • Screening Party Attendee
    Rodolphe Cassan
    Rodolphe Cassan
    • Carl Boenish
    Kevin McGuinness
    Kevin McGuinness
    • Screening Party Extra
    Sally Wenzel
    • Self
    Jake Suffian
    • Screening Party Attendee
    Erik Fenz
    • Self
    • Director
      • Marah Strauch
    • Writer
      • Marah Strauch
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Crazy credits
      "Johnny Utah" is listed with others in the "Thanks" section of the credits; a possible nod to the main character from the movie Point Break
    • Soundtracks
      Wasn't Born To Follow
      Written by Gerry Goffin (as Goffin) and Carole King (as King)

      Performed by The Byrds

      Published by Screen Gems-EMI Music Inc.

      By Arrangement with Sony ATV Music Publishing

      Courtesy of Columbia Records

      By Arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

    User reviews8

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Carl and Jean Boenish were the original free spirits
    As documentaries go this film was in the process of being made from the first day that Carl Boenish decided that it would be a cool idea to jump off of a very high cliff, and if at all possible, film his own descent by attaching a camera on to the top of his helmet. In todays technical environment of March 2016, with wing span suits, and more importantly Go Pro cameras that weigh less than two (2) pounds jumping off of a mountain cliff, or a building skyscraper roof is still a huge adrenalin rush, and yes, sky divers, or BASE jumpers as Carl Boenish coined his daredevil activity are still dying for their adrenalin rush today. The equipment used today in BASE jumping may be more technically advanced and safer but there is still a lot of danger and significant risk involved. BASE jumping, is an acronym for Buildings, Antennas, Spans and Earth.

    I think what makes this documentary most interesting is some of the people who knew Carl and base jumped with him, as did his wife Jean Boenish hundreds of times, didn't talk about Carl being crazy, or egotistical, or even a film hog. No Carl Boenish was described by his friends, family, and peers as one of the most interesting and intriguing characters they have ever known. I can only imagine what Carl Boenish would be attempting to do if he were alive today. I am sure Carl would be a polar opposite of someone like Johnny Knoxville of the TV/film fame Jackass.

    I was most impressed with the pre-planning Carl and his wife Jean would document before attempting any of their jumps. As their BASE jumping in the 1980's was a first not only for the USA, but around the world their reputation preceded them and their BASE jumps were breaking Guinness Book of World records right up to the days prior to Carl's untimely accident in 1984 in Norway.

    This documentary reflects the true love (and more importantly trust) that Carl and Jean had in each other as they completed BASE jump after BASE jump with each other. Carl had a lust for life and continued to challenge not only himself but the other BASE jumpers who chose to jump with him. Knowing how the BASE jumping equipment has evolved over the past 30 years, and GoPro cameras light weight and camera resolution have redefined documentaries of today, one can only imagine what Carl and Jean Boenish would be capable of capturing on film today. Sunshine Superman is well worth watching and rates an 8 out of 10 score.
    helpful•3
    1
    • Ed-Shullivan
    • Mar 30, 2016

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 22, 2015 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Norway
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Gerçek Bir Superman
    • Filming locations
      • Norway
    • Production companies
      • Scissor Kick Films
      • Flimmer Film
      • Head Gear Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $88,097
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $8,991
      • May 24, 2015
    • Gross worldwide
      • $96,715
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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