Downhill Racer (1969)

79% of critics liked it
(14 reviews)
59% of users liked it
(875 ratings)

Director Michael Ritchie's ongoing satirical spin on the American Dream is dressed up in quasi-documentary fashion in Downhill Racer. Robert Redford stars as an Olympic-grade skier, whose talent is matched only by his aloof self-involvement. As the cocksure Redford rises to the top of his class, he… More Director Michael Ritchie's ongoing satirical spin on the American Dream is dressed up in quasi-documentary fashion in Downhill Racer. Robert Redford stars as an Olympic-grade skier, whose talent is matched only by his aloof self-involvement. As the cocksure Redford rises to the top of his class, he discards any emotional attachments that might impede his progress, ranging from girlfriends to his own father. When Redford finally attains his goal in life, the thrill of victory is an empty one indeed. The cold-bloodedness of Redford's character may have worked against Downhill Racer at the box office; on the other hand, Ritchie's similarly structured political satire The Candidate offered a "warmer" Redford -- but it, too, was a box-office disappointment. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 42 min.
Directed By: Michael Ritchie
Written By: James Salter
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics

In Theaters: Nov 1, 1969 Limited
On DVD: Nov 17, 2009
Studio: Paramount Pictures

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
An intriguing film that balances skiing and the majesty of Alpine scenery with an absorbing story of hero Robert Redford, young American innocent abroad.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The best movie ever made about sports -- without really being about sports at all.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's better than most sports films since it avoids sentimentality and falsely romanticizing its unsympathetic egotistical hero.
Sean Axmaker, Seanax.com
... the downhill runs are shot and edited with a visceral quality that takes us off the sidelines and into the skier's perspective.
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
could be lumped into the convenient category of "uplifting sports drama," but in fact is a challenging deconstruction of all the underdog clichés associated with that genre
Fernando F. Croce, Slant Magazine
Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing in Ritchie's and Redford's pointed study of competitive obsessions and Phyrric victories.
Fernando F. Croce, Slant Magazine
Downhill Racer stands as lean condemnation of the calculating underdog clichés Rocky would bring make the norm.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
An influential and extremely well-done sports film, worth watching even if you don't normally enjoy films of this type.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
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.
, Film4
Redford, just breaking into superstardom, gives one of his cool, self-centred, cynical performances as an undisciplined Olympic skier.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Robert Redford as the world's most unlikable skier!

Read all 11 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Tim S

I liked the fact that it went away from the total cliches of most sports films and thought it was interesting to see Redford play such a almost souless person whose entire existence is about going faster and ultimately winning. You can't help but think of Redford as ballsy for… More
I liked the fact that it went away from the total cliches of most sports films and thought it was interesting to see Redford play such a almost souless person whose entire existence is about going faster and ultimately winning. You can't help but think of Redford as ballsy for putting his good looking charmer clout on the line with performances like this. He is not likable in the least sense, but I enjoyed watching him and kind of understood where he was coming from even if he was being a complete asshole about it. I also loved the way the film was shot almost like a documentary and it made you feel as if you were on the slopes with him whereas now they would just prop him up in front of a green screen and call it a day. Overall, just one of those gems from the period that I don't think will ever rise again.
Grifty G

Well crafted film (about to be released on Criterion) about the US ski team in the late 60's. Micheal Ritchie creates a very real film that is almost like watching a Maysles' documentary at times (who could have foreseen he would go on to make movies like Bad News Bears and… More
Well crafted film (about to be released on Criterion) about the US ski team in the late 60's. Micheal Ritchie creates a very real film that is almost like watching a Maysles' documentary at times (who could have foreseen he would go on to make movies like Bad News Bears and Fletch). Redford plays a role he perfected in his career, like Roy Hobbs, a no-nonsense talent who just wants to do the job his way without any b.s.. Hackman also portrays a character he would become well known for, the determined coach. Great camerawork and a great ending.
Keith M

A movie like this would come out today and just be turned into a video game. I love how the story is straight forward and there a no sport movie cliches, and the end of film is an amazing payoff...great fucking ending!!!

Cast

            Robert Redford as David Chappellet

            Gene Hackman as Eugene Claire

            Camilla Sparv as Carole Stahl

            Karl Michael Vogler as Machet

            Jim McMullan as Johnny Creech

            Christian Doermer as Brumm

            Kathleen Crowley as American Newspaperwoman

            Dabney Coleman as Mayo

            Kenneth Kirk as D.K. Bryan

            Oren Stevens as Kipsmith

            Carole Carle as Lena

            Rip McManus as Bruce Devore

            Joe Jay Jalbert as Tommy Erb

            Tom J. Kirk as Stiles

            Robin Hutton-Potts as Gabriel

            Heini Schuler as Meier

            Eddie Waldburger as Haas

            Marco Walli as Istel

            Jenny Dexter as Ron Engel

            Michael Gempart as Hotel Receptionist

            Noam Pitlik as TV Announcer

            Walter Stroud as Mr. Chappellet

            Jack Ballard as Candy Vendor

            Harald Dietl as Journalist

            Timothy Kirk
            
See full cast

Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!

Discover movies your friends are watching
Keep track of what you want to see
Add your reviews to your Timeline

Get Started

Downhill Racer (1969)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Tim S

Grifty G

Keith M

Cast

Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!