Downhill Racer (1969) - The Criterion Collection

Synopsis

Astonishing Alpine location photography and a young Robert Redford in one of his earliest starring roles are just two of the visual splendors of Michael Ritchie’s visceral debut feature, Downhill Racer. In a beautifully understated performance, Redford is David Chappellet, a ruthlessly ambitious skier competing for Olympic gold with an underdog American team in Europe, and Gene Hackman provides tough support as the coach who tries to temper the upstart’s narcissistic drive for glory. With a subtle screenplay by acclaimed novelist James Salter, Downhill Racer is a vivid character portrait buoyed by breathtakingly fast and furious imagery that brings the viewer directly into the mind of the competitor.

Cast

David Chappellet	Robert Redford
Claire	Gene Hackman
Carole	Camilla Sparv
Machet	Karl Michael Vogler
Creech	Jim McMullan
Reporter	Kathleen Crowley
Mayo	Dabney Coleman
D. K.	Kenneth Kirk

Credits

Director	Michael Ritchie
Producer	Richard Gregson
Screenplay	James Salter
Music	Kenyon Hopkins
Director of photography	Brian Probyn
Photographed by	Tony Busbridge, Alan Hewison, Arthur Wooster, Jean-Paul Janssen, Jean-Pierre Janssen, Joe Jay Jalbert, Austin Parkinson and Michael Temple
Supervising editor	Nick Archer
Editor	Richard Harris
Titles designed by	Don Record
Art director	Ian Whittaker

Disc Features

New, restored high-definition digital transfer
New video interviews with Robert Redford, screenwriter James Salter, film editor Richard Harris, production manager Walter Coblenz, and former downhill skier Joe Jay Jalbert, who served as a technical adviser, ski double, and cameraman
Audio excerpts from a 1977 American Film Institute seminar with director Michael Ritchie
How Fast?, a rare 12-minute promotional featurette
Theatrical trailer
PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by critic Todd McCarthy

From the Current

Downhill Racer: Trailblazer

by Todd McCarthy Nov 17, 2009

“Well, this isn’t exactly a team sport,” assistant coach Mayo quips sarcastically to star skier Johnny Creech after overhearing him complain about renegade team member David Chappellet. It has...

Robert Redford Talks About
Downhill Racer’s Bumpy Run

Nov 12, 2009

DOWNHILL, ILLUSTRATED

Nov 11, 2009

Michael Ritchie’s Downhill Racer, which arrives on Criterion special-edition DVD next week, is remembered today primarily for its winning star performance. Yet as evidenced by this November 1969 http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1083077/index.htm...