The Great Waldo Pepper

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The Great Waldo Pepper

PG

Released Apr 13, 1975

1h 47m

Adventure

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

67%

Tomatometer

12 Reviews

57%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Aerial tale set in the 1920s about a traveling aviator whose exaggerations look to be discovered when he begins work on a film with a pilot with whom he claims to have done battle. Having told colorful stories of wartime combat with the notorious German flying ace, the two men fortunately find a mutual respect, which culminates in a spectacular dogfight.

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Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

It's a paean to purification through heroism, with the heroes fighting for the love of fighting and to determine who is the better man.

Oct 11, 2023

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

It doesn't have any big notions about the passing of that era, or of the barnstormers, who are seen as overgrown kids with wonderful toys that fly. But it has a good feeling for the period, and director George Roy Hill gives us poignancy and adventure.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 23, 2004

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Sean Burns

Crooked Marquee

A very strange film, socking you in the gut with the ugly realities of early aviation and then ascending somewhere dreamier, up into the clouds.

Oct 3, 2023

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Steve Warren

The Barb (Atlanta)

It's strictly a star vehicle and a vehicle vehicle.

May 5, 2023

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Jacoba Atlas

Los Angeles Free Press

It has all the elements of a fantastic, touching movie, except one - a script that engages the audience's interest.

Dec 5, 2019

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Bernard Drew

Gannett News Service

The Great Waldo Pepper is vastly entertaining and a good deal more besides.

Oct 5, 2019

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Kathryn V

I don't know why the low scores, I loved it. At the end I was sitting on the edge of my seat.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/15/24

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Jelisije J

Robert Redford plays a man who loves to fly and will take any job that dont regulate his love to do what he wants.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/31/24

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Ted O

A big bright, colorful period piece about the early days of daredevil aviation barnstorming. Excellent performances, snappy dialogue, a joy ride indeed. Masterful screenwriter William Goldman delivers again with a smart, engaging, and poignant drama. Great cinematography, editing, music, and of course Redford in his prime. - I loved this film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/29/23

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Martin B

In terms of cinematography it doesn't get much better then The Great Waldo Pepper and to think it's near a half a century old. The planes, period costumes and backdrop just so incredibly vivid. Redford was such a beautiful man but my lord he could never really act. The guy had one character and he pretty much played it in all his movies. Pretty to look at, deliver the lines in the Redford way and that's about it. If they had a real lead actor, one with some real chops with charisma and able to interpret the Pepper character with his own unique twist the movie could have been truly great. Redfords, layed back, under performing style dependent on his facial expressions and simple mutteiings was not right for the over the top swashbuckler the roll demanded.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/23/23

Full Review

Shioka O

This is a personal film of the director who is a pilot. Redford looks great here. Lots of aerial scenes. That's it!

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

10/17/22

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delysid d

a great companion to john frankenheimers film the gypsy moths

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/15/22

Full Review

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Synopsis

Aerial tale set in the 1920s about a traveling aviator whose exaggerations look to be discovered when he begins work on a film with a pilot with whom he claims to have done battle. Having told colorful stories of wartime combat with the notorious German flying ace, the two men fortunately find a mutual respect, which culminates in a spectacular dogfight.

Director: George Roy Hill
Producer: George Roy Hill
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Adventure, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 13, 1975, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 12, 2014
Runtime: 1h 47m

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