The Great Waldo Pepper

The Great Waldo Pepper is set in the 1920s, after the First World War, when former pilots had to find new ways to keep flying. Waldo Pepper, a veteran who spent the war as an instructor rather than in combat, earns a living with barnstorming displays and passenger rides in small towns, telling audiences a story about a duel with the German ace Ernst Kessler. His stunts grow more dangerous as competition increases, and the authorities, eager to present aviation as a safe means of transport, take an interest in his activities. A mishap during a display brings him together with the rival pilot Axel Olsson and with Mary Beth, and the two men eventually become friends and work for a flying circus. After a tragedy costs Waldo his licence, he starts over under a new name as a stunt pilot in Hollywood, where a film about the air battles of the war offers him a meeting with Kessler.

George Roy Hill directed and produced the film from a screenplay by William Goldman, four years after The Sting and following Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Slaughterhouse-Five and The Sting in his filmography. Robert Redford plays Waldo, with Bo Svenson, Bo Brundin, Susan Sarandon, Geoffrey Lewis and Edward Herrmann in supporting roles. Made for about 5 million dollars and released in March 1975, it took roughly 21 million dollars worldwide. On IMDb it holds 6.8/10 from around 7,400 votes, while on TMDB it stands at 6.5/10 from about 100 votes.