Downhill Racer

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2:37

Downhill Racer

PG

Released Oct 28, 1969

1h 42m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

27 Reviews

58%

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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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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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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M C

Excellent movie about downhill ski. Great ski scenes. A must watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/21/24

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Steve D

Nowhere near good enough for this talent.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

07/29/23

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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

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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

Audience Member

omg.. This is hands down Redford's worst movie. And I am a Redford fan. And a Hackman fan. And a downhill skiiing fan! But this? Whew.. I forced myself to watch all the way through one time, but since then I use it to fall asleep and take a nap. It is booooooring. Just nothing exciting about it. And that sixties soundtrack with all. the. HORNS. Make it STOP!! It sounds like an episode of Mannix. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

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Michael Ritchie

Director

Robert Redford

David Chappellet

Gene Hackman

Eugene Claire

Camilla Sparv

Carole Stahl

Karl Michael Vogler

Machet

Jim McMullan

Johnny Creech

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Downhill Racer: Trailer 1

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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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