The story of French high-wire artist Philippe Petit's attempt to cross the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in 1974.
Direction
Zemeckis turns 3D into a torture device. You will look down.
Cinematography
The wire sequence is 17 minutes of pure cinematic anxiety.
Practical Effects
Built a full-scale WTC roof on a soundstage. Insane commitment.
Director
Robert Zemeckis
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Philippe Petit
Ben Kingsley
Papa Rudy
Charlotte Le Bon
Annie Allix
James Badge Dale
J.P.
Clément Sibony
Jean-Louis
César Domboy
Jeff / Jean-François
Benedict Samuel
David
Ben Schwartz
Albert
Steve Valentine
Barry Greenhouse
Mark Camacho
Guy Tozolli
Sergio Di Zio
Officer Genco
Kwasi Songui
Man with Plaid Sports Coat
Melantha Blackthorne
Parisian Flower Child
Jason Blicker
Officer Daley
Larry Day
Texas Tourist
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The real Philippe Petit performed the eight passes between towers in 45 minutes. The film's recreation took 12 days to shoot, with Gordon-Levitt training directly with Petit for eight months.
Released fourteen years after 9/11, the film's reverent CGI reconstruction of the Towers sparked debate about whether Hollywood should digitally resurrect destroyed landmarks for entertainment.
US
