If you like skiing and classic movies, “The Descent of Death” (Downhill Racer, 1969) can be a good alternative when you want to watch a movie.
Directed by Michael Ritchie (The Rookie Fairy, The Headhunter, The Perfect Heist) and starring Robert Redford and Gene Hackman, tells the story of David Chappellet, a very ambitious and attractive skier who aims to become the king of alpine skiing and an Olympic champion for his country (USA).
Obsessed with becoming the best, David avoids all emotional ties. Due to his need for total dedication, the skier will have problems with his girlfriend and even his own father.
Both Redford and Hackman were still unknown actors when this film was released in the United States. In fact, The film was not released in Spain until 1975., when both actors were already considered stars after appearing in films such as “The Sting” or “The French Connection“.
As we said, if you like classics and alpine skiing, you'll enjoy this film. Not only will you see the beginnings of Robert Redford and Gene Hackman as actors, but You will be able to study the equipment used by alpine skiers in the late 1960s or early 1970s.Of course, materials and equipment are much better now… but it might be interesting to take a look back and see how athletes were equipped in those times.
Here we leave you the trailer in original version:
One of the curiosities of “The Descent of Death” is the appearance of Natalie Wood, an actress who participated in “West Side Story“Rebel Without a Cause” and who became famous for starring in “Splendor in the Grass”, appears (although unrecognizable due to her clothing) in the film.
