Downhill Racer

Marking both the feature film debut of director Michael Ritchie and the first project that future star Robert Redford developed for himself, 1969's Downhill Racer boasts ski scenes that are brilliantly shot and edited, deftly capturing the intensity of the competition-level ski experience in terms of the incredible physical demands and the terrific concentration required by the skiers. But Redford's David Chappellet, the brash, self-involved hotshot on the American ski team competing for Olympic gold on the European slopes, is primarily concerned with victory and fame, and coach Eugene Claire (Gene Hackman) spends almost as much time raising money for the team's training and travel as he does coaching. Redford's matinee-idol looks are more than just Hollywood casting here; although never directly stated, it's clear that Chappellet's popularity is as much due to his appearance as to his skill—the crowds love a poster-boy champion. DVD extras include a pair of interview featurettes: “Redford and Salter,” with Redford and screenwriter James Salter discussing the development and evolution of the movie; and “Coblenz, Harris, and Jalbert,” which features film editor Richard Harris, production manager Walter Coblenz, and former downhill skier Joe Jay Jalbert (who served as technical adviser and ski double). Also included are audio-only excerpts from a 1977 American Film Institute seminar with Ritchie, an archival promotional short, and a booklet with an essay by critic Todd McCarthy. Highly recommended. (S. Axmaker)[Blu-ray Review—Dec. 1, 2015—Criterion, 102 min., PG, Blu-ray: $39.95—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1969's Downhill Racer sports a fine transfer and an uncompressed monaural soundtrack. Extras include audio-only excerpts from a 1977 American Film Institute seminar with director Michael Ritchie (72 min.), interview featurettes with Redford and screenwriter James Salter (34 min.) and with production manager Walter Coblenz, editor Richard Harris, and technical advisor and ski double Joe Jay Jalbert (30 min.), a “How Fast?” 1969 archival promotional short (13 min.), and a booklet with an essay by critic Todd McCarthy. Bottom line: Ritchie's excellent sports drama makes a welcome debut on Blu-ray.]