Man on Wire

This  documentary is a story about Philippe Petit, a French tight rope walker whose compassion is to make his dreams come alive.  Directed by James Marsh, and released in 2008, Man on Wire is a blend of historical footage of Petit‘s life and ambitions.  Petit is famously known as the wire walker who walked between the World Trade Center twin towers in 1974.  This documentary gives insight as to how the ordeal was plotted and executed.  Petit also walked between the towers of Notre Dame and Sydney Harbour Bridge and is described by his friends as having almost an “insane” obsession with creating impossible ventures and defeating them.  The movie also portrays what happens to Petit and his crew of friends after his famous walk across the twin towers and what fame can do to those who don’t see it coming.

Man on Wire is a superb documentary artfully crafted together to create a story about a man that has no limitations.  Viewers witness Petit walking, laying down, and kneeling on the wire stretched between the World Trade Center for a total of 45 minutes.  It is truly a remarkable scene to witness and it brought many people to tears.  His wire walking was described as a beautiful art and almost a magical moment that one only sees once in a lifetime.  Man on Wire is a great film that many people probably don’t know about.  This movie deserves 3 stars.  Don’t let this documentary get away from you, because it is something magical that you won’t want to miss.