The Great Waldo Pepper - article about The Great Waldo Pepper

The Great Waldo Pepper

Pepper claimed to have been a flying, combat ace in World War I. The truth was that he had avoided combat by signing up as a flying instructor. He later meets the very German ace, Ernst Kessler, whom he had claimed to have encountered in battle. The Great Waldo Pepper, as he is billed, has something to prove to himself and every one else. He feels the need to test himself and his courage by taking risks, which he never got to do in the war. Redford gives a fine performance as a man who tries to retrieve his self-respect.

The action stunts are executed very well in the movie, with Redford doing his own wing walking. The best bits are definitely up in the sky and you're kept on the edge of your seat. Real airplanes are used, which looks more authentic than models. The supporting cast in The Great Waldo Pepper are also good, especially Bo Svenson and Susan Sarandon.

After barnstorming for his adoring public, The Great Waldo Pepper moves on to another exciting world, to feature in a movie. Films and film stars are the other obsession of the age. Pepper uses his skills as a pilot to simulate dogfights, as they were fought in World War I. He gets his kicks by proxy and this is the nearest he can get to an actual war.

It's a good film, if not a classic one. Stories around flying aces have been told before but not often and it depicts an interesting time in history. The only real criticism might be that the movie is a little cold hearted. It's not an emotional roller coaster and won't have anyone cheering in the aisles or weeping into their Kleenex. It is an interesting study however, into the nature of male pride and redemption.

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