Aviation In Film History: The Great Waldo Pepper

This 1975 film stars Robert Redford and was directed by George Roy Hill. Both worked together on several films including two of Hollywood's best, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) and The Sting (1973). Flying sequences were under the guidance of the irrepressible stunt pilot, Frank Tallman.

The story follows the fictional Pepper from his days as an unhappy World War I flight instructor through a career as a barnstormer and Hollywood stunt pilot. Many pilots from that war actually lived the story line. In fact, Tallman lived a very similar life, only his began in World war II and had a much happier ending.

If OTR's readers have a fascination with barnstorming, stunt flying, and antique airplanes, The Great Waldo Pepper is tailor-made for them. There's a fine score by Henry Mancini as well.


Here is the trailer: