Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageDownhill Racer (1969)
Director: Michael Ritchie
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Fine first feature from the once wonderful Ritchie, concentrating - as in so much of his work (The Candidate, Smile, Semi-Tough) - on the cost and rewards of winning. Redford is the ambitious skier, out to break all records, and contemptuous of the teamwork advocated by the coach (Hackman) when he goes to Europe for the Olympics. The understated performances and reluctance to emphasise plot result in convincing characterisations, to such an extent that the often narcissistic Redford actually allows himself to come across as a dislikeably selfish, arrogant and icy man. And the location skiing sequences, revealing Ritchie's background and interest in documentary styles, are simply astounding, even for those with little interest in the sport.Author: GA
Cast & crew
Director: Michael Ritchie
Producer: Richard Gregson
Cast: Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, Camilla Sparv, Joe Jay Jalbert, Timothy Kirk, Dabney Coleman, Karl Michael Vogler full cast
Genre(s): Action/Adventure
Duration: 101 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Has David Cronenberg turned tame?
Has director David Cronenberg veered too far from his radical and bloody roots with new film 'A Dangerous Method'?
The 10 worst date movies
Just in time for Valentine's Day, we present ten of the least romantic films ever made
Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films
Find out where to watch 2012's Oscar-nominated films in London cinemas
10 unlikely badboy biopics
Featuring Phil Collins, Jeremy Clarkson, Nick Clegg, David Starkey and a host of other unlikely subjects
Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'
The first-time director of the brilliant new thriller discusses religious cults and robot boxing
Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day
Side-step romantic clichés with some alternative Valentine’s viewing
What do you think?
Post your review now