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Robert Redford, Bo Svenson, Bo Brundin, Susan Sarandon, Geoffrey Lewis ... see more see more... , Edward Herrmann , Roderick Cook , Kelly Jean Peters , Margot Kidder , Scott Newman , Joe Billings , Philip Bruns , Lawrence P. Casey , James N. Harrell , Jack Manning , Greg Martin , John A. Zee , John C. Reilly

Robert Redford plays Waldo Pepper, a former World War I pilot who exaggerates his accomplishments in order to impress the rabble. After a brief rivalry with air-show entrepreneur Axel Olsson (Bo Svens... read more read more...on), Pepper teams with Axel to barnstorm all over the Midwest; later, after a series of unexpected (and calamitous) events, Pepper gets a job as a movie stunt pilot. On the set, he meets the film's technical advisor: former German ace Ernst Kessler (Bo Brundin), a man whom Pepper has been claiming falsely to have fought during the war, thereby advancing his own reputation. He is as disillusioned with civilian life as Pepper is, and ignoring the entreaties of the film's director, stages a genuine dogfight (sans live ammo) with his old "opponent." The Great Waldo Pepper represented the third filmic collaboration between star Robert Redford and director George Roy Hill. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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50% liked it

2,335 ratings

Critics

71% liked it

7 critics

PG, 1 hr. 48 min.

Directed by: George Roy Hill

Release Date: March 13, 1975

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DVD Release Date: June 15, 1998

Stats: 78 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (78)

  • ajv2688
    January 3, 2011
    ajv2688
    The airplane stunts in this movie are exciting, and the drama in the movie is pretty good, and it's kind of sad too. I hated the end, though. This movie was good, but it could have been better.
  • 70sgirl
    May 4, 2010
    70sgirl
    If you're a fan of Sarandon you should know that she doesn't have a huge role in this movie. If you love Redford, you are in luck. But if you love airplanes, you must see this movie! This movie is both exciting and sad, and I didn't like the ending, it's confusing. Still, the... read more film kept me engaged with all the crazy stunts.
  • lsmall4
    August 4, 2007
    lsmall4
    One of my favorite Redford films. Following the story of a post-WWI barnstormer, this movie captures the psyche of the aviation pioneers.

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Critic Reviews

Steve Crum
April 20, 2007
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com

Great aerial stunts, good period atmosphere, and compelling story with Redford in good form.

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 9, 2005
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Roger Ebert
October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

John A. Nesbit
December 15, 2007
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews

No review available.

Chuck O'Leary
August 31, 2005
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily

No review available.

Emanuel Levy
July 3, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Jake Euker
June 23, 2005
Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)

No review available.

Tony Toscano
August 14, 2003
Tony Toscano, Talking Pictures (U.S.)

No review available.

Derek Adams
February 9, 2006
Derek Adams, Time Out

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Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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The Great Waldo Pepper Trivia

  • I was involved with either acting or directing these movies: The Milagro Beanfield War The Great Waldo Pepper The Last Castle Havana An Indecent Proposal Ordinary People Who am I?  Answer »
  • I was in "The Great Waldo Pepper", "The Sting", "Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid" and "The Electric horseman", who am I?  Answer »
  • She was Maude in ?The Great Waldo Pepper?, and Kathy Lutz in ?The Amityville Horror?, but she?s probably best known for flying around with Chritopher Reeve as Lois Lane in the ?Superman? movies.   Answer »
  • She was Maude in ?The Great Waldo Pepper?, and Kathy Lutz in ?The Amityville Horror?, but she?s probably best known for flying around with Chritopher Reeve as Lois Lane in the ?Superman? movies.   Answer »
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