Les parachutistes arrivent

Veteran skydivers Mike Rettig (Burt Lancaster) and Joe Browdy (Gene Hackman) are barnstorming the midwest organizing their own skydiving shows. Malcolm Webson (Scott Wilson) is their young orphan assistant. They use various methods to promote their July 3rd jump near the town of Bridgeville, Kansas. College student Annie Burke (Bonnie Bedelia) rents a room from Malcolm's uncle and aunt (Deborah Kerr, William Windom). With director John Frankenheimer, this movie has plenty of talent. Most of it seems to be wasted in a rather flat drama. There isn't much tension. There's no drive. There is some romantic melodrama but it's not terribly compelling. It's as slow as Burt and Deborah taking an evening walk. Even the skydiving is lackluster. It's disappointing to see so many greats being wasted.

Although this film wasn't a career high for either of these great performers it did demonstrate that there was majic between them. If you check Kerr's biography, this film isn't list on her film chronology. In fact, it is hardly mention on any other site other than IMDb's. I think it was because she appeared *. She was 48 when this film was released. I think she is one of the greatest beauties that ever graced the screen.

A movie about how people just fall through life (both literally & figuratively). Burt Lancaster, Gene Hackman & Scott Wilson show up in a small town to perform their barnstorming act. While rooming at Wilson's relative's home, Lancaster embarks on an affair with the lady of the house (Deborah Kerr). Kerr is trapped in a loveless marriage to academic William Windom & longs desperately to get out. Lancaster just wants to get out of life! A melancholy film from the great John Frankenheimer. There are many astounding daredevil feats and the acting is fine. However, the movie really is very lifeless and quite frankly more than a little boring. Sheree North provides a brief spark as a party girl picked up by Hackman. There's a great music score by Elmer Bernstein and cinematography by Philip H. Lathrop.

Directed by John Frankenheimer, best known for his political thrillers, this is one of the few films to take a serious look at the increasingly popular thrill sport of sky diving. Burt Lancaster, Gene Hackman and Scott Wilson represent three different points of view of sport parachuting. For Hackman it is a business, for Wilson it is about escape and acceptance, for Lancaster it is something more personal. Seven gifted amateur sky divers did over 2000 jumps to create the stunt work in this film. Between uncooperative winds and rain and with settings in parts of seven different Kansas locations they managed to pull together this film, which will have you on the edge of your seat all the way through. Excellent supporting turns are put in my Debra Kerr and William Windom

a beautiful film.for the unique science of a great director to explore each possibility of story. for the art to discover the essence of a special sport. for acting- Deborah Kerr - Burt Lancaster is a splendid couple - , for the Scott Wilson performance, for Gene Hackman use of his character nuances. a film about passion made in admirable manner, with high precision.because it represents a gallery of portraits, decisions and opportunities, with the South melancholic spirit, with the force of a dangerous passion. one of films who preserves the flavor of lost age. and who propose a touching, profound story, a delicate view about life , duty and sacrifice.

Does anyone remember the topless dancer Patty Wright? Today she has crossed over into adult films and goes by the name of Patty Plenty. It is definitely Patty because it was me. I was nearly 20 when the movie came out. John Frankenheimer joined me into SAG and I still pay my dues as Patty Lynn Wright. I went on to be a Las Vegas Showgirl for many years. The movie was filmed mostly around Wichita Kansas where I grew up as a child. I have been a member of Screen Actors Guild for many years. I live now in both Malibu and Hawaii. I hope that I hear from someone that does remember some of the cast that did not get credited. I do have many films but they are rated adult in nature. John was a wonderful man and made as we all know many great films.

Yes, the movie does miss greatness. But it is far from a failure. As a slice of American with fascinating characters (yes, I like and cared about them), this film is worth seeing. True, there are problems. The husband in particular comes off as emotionally dead, yet I have known of men like that. The wife (Deborah Kerr) comes off almost as hopeless; worse, it is never clear what she wants or what is driving her. Yet, here again I have known marriages like this. I suspect modern viewers will want to be shown the underly rage and desperation of these characters, which has to be present, but like Days of Heaven, they are muted. No doubt, It would have helped if the film had been longer. Nevertheless, it works with great photography and stunt work and is well worth a look. BTW for those who are interested (this is an R-Rated movie after all) even at 48 years, Deborah Kerr looks great *. I know if I had been the husband in the movie, I sure would have kept trying.