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Downhill Racer

Play trailer 2:37 Poster for Downhill Racer PG Released Oct 28, 1969 1h 42m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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85% Tomatometer 26 Reviews 57% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
A smug and overly self-assured downhill skier, David Chappellet (Robert Redford), joins the American ski team and quickly makes waves with his arrogant behavior and even flashier maneuvers on the slopes, falling into conflict with the team's coach (Gene Hackman). A rivalry also develops between David and Johnny Creech (Jim McMullan), the man who considered the team's best skier, as both push themselves and each other in a race to the Olympic Games.
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Downhill Racer

Downhill Racer

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Critics Consensus

Downhill Racer plunges the viewer thrillingly into the action of the sport -- and continues to hold the attention as a thoughtful drama.

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Critics Reviews

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TIME Staff TIME Magazine A modest effort but a good one. It may be the first film in history that starts at the top, goes steadily downhill, and still stays interesting along the way. May 30, 2018 Full Review Chris Nashawaty Entertainment Weekly One of the great unheralded films of the late '60s. Rated: A May 30, 2018 Full Review Keith Phipps AV Club Downhill Racer doesn't always work... As a look at how [Robert] Redford's character and those orbiting him spend their time between runs, however, it's superb. Rated: B+ May 30, 2018 Full Review Nicholas Bell IONCINEMA.com Excitingly adept in its presentation of potentially ruinous ambition, Downhill Racer continues to exceed expectations of formula and tone. Rated: 4/5 Oct 20, 2020 Full Review CJ Sheu Review Film Review Th[e] astounding ending absolves the film of all its other sins, including a screeching score and choppy scene transitions[.] Jul 1, 2020 Full Review Bill Kelley South Florida Sun-Sentinel The movie avoids the cheerleading approach of today`s sports sagas (Rocky, etc.), but it has a fascinating ending, and is very satisfying. May 30, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Blu B It's good. It's a bit on the challenging side because Redford plays a character that has lots of charisma but is a jerk to put it lightly at times. He reminds of Maverick from the first Top Gun. The ediitng isn't bad but it has trouble tying things like the romance subplot and his father into the sports stuff. I get it, it shows more of his character and it does make sense. Half of this film is honestly character related stuff and it works...for the second half and when it focuses just on the sports side more. The music isn't bad either but it isn't used much and it can feel a ittle dry at times. Everything else though is pretty solid honestly. Redford & Hackman are great here. No one else really gets that much focus but does a good job. The skiing scenes are great and the best part visually. This is a very quiet film with not a lot of dialouge or soundtrack to it. But to it's credit I can follow it pretty well for the most part which was cool. It's cool seeing shaky cam ski scenes and POV shots in 69'. Really innovative stuff. The direction isn't bad but is better during ski scenes. It follows a basic sports movie archetype at it's core but it's got that New Hollywood style character study to it as well. He's a rebel but also the teams best hope. It's not as easy a watch as something like Remember the Titans or Hoosiers just because it's hard to like the character, a bit dry, lacking much interesting support outside of the two leads, and it's honestly a little clunky tying the character/sports plots together but it comes together enough and the visual storytelling is impressive. Anyone who is a fna of sports movies in particular old school ones, ski movies, the director, or any actors in this should check this out. It's a Deep Cut Redford & Hackman Classic. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/04/25 Full Review CodyZamboni Z Redford plays a selfish jerk, who lucks his way onto the US Olympic team, He battles with coach Hackman, who tries to teach him team play and the meaning of sport, Almost documentary film style approach works, With first rate, you are there, skiing sequences, And I give Redford props to deliberately play an unlikable person. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/05/24 Full Review M C Excellent movie about downhill ski. Great ski scenes. A must watch. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/21/24 Full Review Steve D Nowhere near good enough for this talent. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 07/29/23 Full Review Michael W This sports movie was pretty good. Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, Camilla Sparv, and the rest of the cast did a pretty good job in this movie. The story of the movie was dramatic and intense. It's about working hard at what you love, but alienating others along the way. If you haven't seen this movie yet, you may enjoy it. I liked it but it all depends on what you think of it. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Shioka O Redford and Hackman are in a good shape in this. I find direction/editing is odd, there is uncertainty throughout instead of excitement. Late 60s-70s nostalgia. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 10/13/22 Full Review Read all reviews
Downhill Racer

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Movie Info

Synopsis A smug and overly self-assured downhill skier, David Chappellet (Robert Redford), joins the American ski team and quickly makes waves with his arrogant behavior and even flashier maneuvers on the slopes, falling into conflict with the team's coach (Gene Hackman). A rivalry also develops between David and Johnny Creech (Jim McMullan), the man who considered the team's best skier, as both push themselves and each other in a race to the Olympic Games.
Director
Michael Ritchie
Producer
Richard Gregson
Screenwriter
James Salter
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Wildwood, Wildwood Enterprises
Rating
PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 28, 1969, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 1, 2015
Runtime
1h 42m
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