Rotten Tomatoes

Movies / TV

    Celebrity

      No Results Found

       View All       Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

      X-15

      1961 1h 47m Drama List
      Reviews 46% 1,000+ Ratings Audience Score Three Air Force pilots (David McLean, Charles Bronson, Ralph Taeger) test the X-15 rocket plane at a California missile base. Read More Read Less

      Where to Watch

      X-15

      Prime Video

      Rent X-15 on Prime Video, or buy it on Prime Video.

      Audience Reviews

      View All (4) audience reviews
      Audience Member I watched this in the cinema when I was 12. Fifty-four years later, I sat through it again. Why? Nostalgia only. "Beautiful aircraft" is the only positive thing I can write about it. Far too long at 1 hr 45 mins. Better to watch a documentary on it. Often, this comes across as a doco. anyhow. Listen to the James Stewart narration, the press conferences, the control room dialogue. Even when one of the wives is told of her husband's death, it is explained in technical terms! As well as the ludicrous lines about I'd give you a hug (to comfort her) except that it's too soon - or something as cold. Those wives are the closest thing to Stepford wives you'll see! If this served as some sort of NASA propaganda at the time then it fails. Choicest role goes to none of the adults but to the young son played by Stanley Livingstone - later one of My Three Sons on TV. At least he gets to show some genuine emotion. I have to admire my 12 year old self sitting through this - I mustn't have been able to leave! Interesting fact: The lead actor David McLean, according to Wikipedia, is the famous Marlboro Man who later died of lung cancer. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Audience Member X-15 is a good film about the project of the same name. This is a well acted film that is fairly accurate to the real tests, as it was made the same period of the X-15 tests. Richard Donner directs this film, and delivers an entertaining drama that grabs your attention. The film is quite interesting, but should have dropped the romance sub plot, which I felt was not necessary considering that the story itself is entertaining enough. However, it works well as a drama, and adventure film, and it is one of those forgotten films that needs to be seen again. This is also noted as one of the first few Bronson films, but unlike his later work, this one is not an action/ vigilante film. X-15 is a must see for viewers interested in the story of the project. This isn't a classic by any means, but it most certainly is a worthwhile film to watch and it most certainly is a well shot picture for the time period. Donner would helm better films over the course of his career, but X-15 clearly shows the confidence of a director who knows how to tell an engaging story with a terrific cast at his disposal. Considering this is Richard Donner's directorial debut, X-15 is an accomplished picture that deserves to be rediscovered by genre fans. For what it is, it's an exhilarating, well directed film that tells an important story. The film has its flaws, but it works well due to a good script and a good cast. X-15 is not a film I would recommend to everyone, but for those interested in this project, give it a view, as it is a well crafted picture that is never dull or tiresome. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member Historically inaccurate portrayal of the first test pilots to reach the edge of space; the film's redeeming quality is that its combination of human drama and aerospace technicalities, influenced both Apollo 13 and The Right Stuff. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Audience Member 5.5/10. Interesting from the aspect of the X-15, the angle of the wives at home and the personal life of the pilots is quite hokey and not necessary. It should have left the personal drama out. It makes for a peculiar mix of genre's. Notable for very early performances from Mary Tyler Moore and Charles Bronson. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

      Show Less Cast & Crew Show More Cast & Crew

      Photos

      View All X-15 photos

      X-15

      X-15 (1961) X-15 (1961) X-15 (1961) X-15 (1961) X-15 (1961) View more photos

      Movie Info

      Synopsis Three Air Force pilots (David McLean, Charles Bronson, Ralph Taeger) test the X-15 rocket plane at a California missile base.
      Director
      Richard Donner
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Runtime
      1h 47m
      Most Popular at Home Now