The Great Waldo Pepper
'
ISBN 0-7662-0229-1
FILM SYNOPSIS
It stars Robert Redford as Waldo Pepper, a former WWI pilot who, in 1926, is barnstorming across the country in a Curtiss JN-4 biplane, doing stunts for a living. He exaggerates his wartime heroics, as much to fulfill his own fantasies as to drum up business, claiming to have engaged in a dogfight with ace German fighter pilot Ernst Kessler (Bo Brundin). His closest friend, Ezra Stiles, is working on the design of a monoplane that can perform the perilous outside loop, which Pepper intends to be the first to execute. With public interest in stunt flying on the downslide, the pilot is forced to partner with good-natured former competitor Axel Olsson (Bo Svenson). But things still remain tough for the pilots, leading them to join a flying circus. When tragedy strikes, Pepper must answer to aviation authorities. The film, well executed on every level, features extraordinary stunt flying, mixing slapstick with a darker drama about the crippling effect of adolescent fantasy.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS & LESSON PLAN IDEAS:
This is a new project idea that I first heard about from Dr. Ben Milspaugh, Region Director of Aerospace Education - Rocky Mountain Region. If this sparks an interest with you and you have some ideas about how to use this film as part of a lesson plan, please send your ideas to me. bjackson@plata.com
VIDEO PURCHASE SITES
I have received a number of requests as to where this and other Aerospace Videos can be purchased. I do not recommend any one site over another and if you find another purchase site (better, cheaper, more dependable or just alternative) please send the direct link to me and I will include it here. bjackson@plata.com
Possible Purchase Site 4