Downhill Racer

Name: Downhill Racer
Genre: Drama
Released: 1969-11-06
Duration: 1 h 41 min
Rating: 6.3
Cast: Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, Camilla Sparv, Karl Michael Vogler, Jim McMullan

How fast must a man go to get from where he's at?

Downhill Racer (1969)

Timing: 1:41 (101 min)

6.3/10
6 938

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5.9/10
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6.3/10
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Everything about the movie

Video 2

Photo 23

Actors and characters

Video for the film Downhill Racer — Downhill Racer (1969) ORIGINAL TRAILER [HD 1080p]

2:40

Photo 23

Release date

1969-11-06

Country

United States

Production

Paramount, Wildwood Enterprises

Genre

Drama

Budget

$1 600 000

Box office

Website

Director

Michael Ritchie

Actors

Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, Camilla Sparv, Karl Michael Vogler, Jim McMullan, Kathleen Crowley, Dabney Coleman, Kenneth Kirk, Oren Stevens, Jerry Dexter
All actors and roles (10)

Scenario

James Salter

Producer

Richard Gregson

Camera operator

Brian Probyn

Composer

Kenyon Hopkins

Artist

Audition

Editing

Richard A. Harris
Whole Team (13)

Short description

An ambitious young skier, determined to break all existing records, is contemptuous of the teamwork advocated by the US coach when they go to Europe for the Olympics.

What's left behind the scenes

Michael Ritchie replaced Roman Polanski as the film's director. 'Downhill Racer' was intended to be Polanski's first American film, but Paramount Pictures producer Robert Evans needed a director for the horror film 'Rosemary's Baby' (1968) and gave that project to Polanski instead. Robert Redford was also intended to be offered a role in 'Rosemary's Baby,' but it was not meant to be.
Gene Hackman later recalled that while working on the film, he felt like a "highly paid extra," as the filming focused entirely on Robert Redford, leaving him with practically nothing to do.
Richard Gregson, then Natalie Wood's husband, became the film's producer, and she had been close friends with Robert Redford since school. She came up with hairstyles for several characters in the film, provided wardrobes for some of the actors, made corrections to the script, and even occasionally played an extra.
Michael Ritchie replaced Roman Polanski as the film's director. "Downhill Racer" was to be Polanski's first American film, but producer Robert Evans of Paramount Pictures needed a director for the horror film "Rosemary's Baby" (1968), and he gave the project to Polanski. Robert Redford was also considered for a role in "Rosemary's Baby," but it was not to be.
Ten days before filming began, Robert Redford overturned a snowmobile and tore a tendon, requiring stitches in his knee.
Ten days before filming began, Robert Redford flipped a snowmobile and tore a tendon, and the actor's knee had to be stitched up.
Sylvester Stallone appeared on screen as one of the restaurant patrons. His name is not mentioned in the credits.
It is believed that Robert Redford's character was based on two real American skiers: Billy Kidd and Spider Sabich. Kidd became the first American to win gold in alpine skiing at the 1964 Olympics. Sabich (full name Vladimir Peter Sabich Jr.) was shot and killed in 1976 by his girlfriend, singer and actress Claudine Longet.
Sherry Jackson was considered for the role of Robert Redford's girlfriend, but her agent rejected the offer without even bothering to consult the actress herself.
It is believed that Robert Redford’s character was based on two real American skiers – Billy Kidd and Spider Sabich. Kidd was the first American to win gold in alpine skiing at the 1964 Olympics. Sabich (full name Vladimir Peter Sabich Jr.) was shot dead by his girlfriend – singer and actress Claudine Longet – in 1976.
The film was produced by Richard Gregson, Natalie Wood's husband at the time; Wood had been on good terms with Robert Redford since their school days. She was the one who designed the hairstyles for several characters, provided costumes for some of the actors, typed edits into the script, and occasionally even appeared as an extra.