Off The Edge video

 Off The Edge still



Off The Edge - 1977




Pentacle Films - film 77 min; video 57 min.

Cast: Jeff Campbell, Blair Trenholme; Original Narration: Ron Hajek, Ron Roy; Video Narration: Peter Maclean.
Screenplay: original - Molly Gregory, video - Thomas F. Horton; Photography: Michael Firth, Geoff Cocks, Geoff Steven, Tony Lilleby; Original Editor: Michael Economou, video editor: Lee Osborne; Music: Richard Clements, 'Higher Trails' composed and sung by John Hanlon; Producer and Director: Michael Firth.

This 1977 Academy Award nominee for best documentary feature was filmed in Mount Cook National Park. It features the skiing and hang-gliding skills of Canadian Blair Trenholme and Colorado native, Jeff Campbell. The original film was shot on 16mm with an original length of 77 minutes, but was re-edited down to 57 minutes when produced for video distribution. Given the gear used, including the wearing of jeans, it is a rather remarkable visual product. It is spectacularly filmed from skis, helicopters and hang gliders.

Censor Rating: GY - Review Rating: C+


AVAILABILITY OF VHS OR DVD COPIES

Used NTSC copies are very difficult to find and may cost up to $40us. Although used PAL copies exist; no reliable source is available at this time. When searching, also look for: 'Search For Adventure' video series producer: Thomas F. Horton. There are no known DVDs


SOUNDTRACK ON AUDIO CD

There are no known soundtrack CDs of this title.


TRAILER & REVIEWS

Video clip w/John Hanlon's 'Higher Trails'

Information at IMDB

New Zealand Film Commission Synopsis

"A beautiful and awesome film ...OFF THE EDGE... is a stunner with one amazing vista following another... a thoroughly exhilarating experience and one that can be shared by the entire family" - The Los Angeles Times.

Clarke Fountain Review

Four Word Film Review

User Comments at IMDB

"Visually, Off the Edge is a stunner, with one amazing vista following another. There's no question that Firth and his cameramen - who ranged in number from one to three - as well as Campbell and Trenholme repeatedly risked their necks to achieve one stupendous sequence after another. Why then allow such banal narration to intrude on such imagery and physical daring? Fortunately Richard Clements' apt and varied score takes over in key sections. Despite the self- indulgent narrative, the film is a thoroughly exhilarating experience..." - ( Kevin Thomas, "Hang- gliding and skiing mystique", Los Angeles Times, March 10, 1977)

"Off the Edge is a supremely beautiful picture about alpine mystery and the freedom to excel in its midst [...] In every shot and sequence, whether filmed from the ground or the air, the grandeur of the Alps is an integral part of daring exploits by the men. No postcard views; no travelogue publicity. Off the Edge is the record of an experience that constantly merges with the poetic" - (Catherine de la Roche, The Dominion, September 19, 1977)

Like an expanded travelogue with variable sound and image quality and a sometimes facetious voice-over commentary. But generally amiable and a surprising commercial success. Nominated for a 1977 Academy Award (Nicholas Reid - 'A Decade of New Zealand Film').


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