If you happen to have Showtime channels on cable, check Showtime Extreme, which is showing “Downhill Racer” tonight. It is well worth recording and watching. To me, this is the best sports movie ever made. Made in 1969, when there was no US Olympic skiing champion, it is prescient about the kind of “sports hero” that exists today. The scenes of how “professional sports” were back then are almost quaint in the way they operate and the idealistic view of the world the participants hold. Except for Dave Chappelet.
Written by Jim Salter. I met him in Aspen once and we talked for a couple of hours at a bar before he told me he was a classmate of my father's and my father was one of the few cadets he knew who were not anti-Semitic. I told him I had been a Jew at West Point because I hated the protestant chaplain so much -- these were in the days when going to church was mandatory. You were supposed to be able to choose which church you went to, but the Deputy Commandant made me write to my parents and get permission to attend Jewish services. This became a major issue in federal court when the lawsuit was filed that overturned what we called mandatory chapel. Jim was a great guy. I knew him when he lived in Sagaponack, and I lived in Sag Harbor. Used to have him over for dinner. One of the smartest people I ever met, and I've met quite a few smart people.
I was on our high school ski team when that movie came out and our coach had the entire boys and girls alpine ski teams bussed to the theater where it was showing. Fabulous movie. I'd love to see it again--I'll check our cable menu!
Yes, that film deserved some nominations at least, if not rewards, for Michael Ritchie. As movie directorial debuts go I would rank it right up there with Steven Spielberg's "Duel" (as seen here at cinema theatres in New Zealand & Australia, early 1970s).
Thanks for the heads up. I love this movie and haven’t seen it for a long time. Look forward to watching it. But will have to change my cat’s favorite channel.😹 I know it’s not Friday but can’t help myself.
Way back when airline flights ran movies in the cabin, we got "Downhill Racer" on a flight to San Francisco from Houston. I remember how cynical Robert Redford's character was, but yes, that was prescient of all sorts of "me, me, me" sports "heroes" to come.
Good picture indeed. Ritchie seemed to be fascinated with video monitors, often using them to show the action in the distance and coverage of the action in the foreground.
Written by Jim Salter. I met him in Aspen once and we talked for a couple of hours at a bar before he told me he was a classmate of my father's and my father was one of the few cadets he knew who were not anti-Semitic. I told him I had been a Jew at West Point because I hated the protestant chaplain so much -- these were in the days when going to church was mandatory. You were supposed to be able to choose which church you went to, but the Deputy Commandant made me write to my parents and get permission to attend Jewish services. This became a major issue in federal court when the lawsuit was filed that overturned what we called mandatory chapel. Jim was a great guy. I knew him when he lived in Sagaponack, and I lived in Sag Harbor. Used to have him over for dinner. One of the smartest people I ever met, and I've met quite a few smart people.
I was on our high school ski team when that movie came out and our coach had the entire boys and girls alpine ski teams bussed to the theater where it was showing. Fabulous movie. I'd love to see it again--I'll check our cable menu!
Yes, that film deserved some nominations at least, if not rewards, for Michael Ritchie. As movie directorial debuts go I would rank it right up there with Steven Spielberg's "Duel" (as seen here at cinema theatres in New Zealand & Australia, early 1970s).
Thanks for the heads up. I love this movie and haven’t seen it for a long time. Look forward to watching it. But will have to change my cat’s favorite channel.😹 I know it’s not Friday but can’t help myself.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZzXOqjkrBy9VN_HiWftfhPKw-DJJdHkx/view?usp=drivesdk
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17dyrya7CzHdQLxZ0h5fdX-ZkVKhtqb6P/view?usp=drivesdk
Way back when airline flights ran movies in the cabin, we got "Downhill Racer" on a flight to San Francisco from Houston. I remember how cynical Robert Redford's character was, but yes, that was prescient of all sorts of "me, me, me" sports "heroes" to come.
Really? OK! I've never seen it, and your recommendation is GOLDEN. Can't wait to see it. xo
Good picture indeed. Ritchie seemed to be fascinated with video monitors, often using them to show the action in the distance and coverage of the action in the foreground.