Man on Wire is a riveting documentary that takes us back to August 7, 1974, a day when the impossible became possible. The film, directed by James Marsh, is a tribute to the audacious high-wire walk performed by French tightrope artist Philippe Petit between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. The documentary has been lauded by critics and audiences alike, winning numerous awards including the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. It also won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary and the BAFTA for Outstanding British Film in 2009. Remarkably, it is one of only six documentaries to have swept “The Big Four” critics awards and the only one to have also won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
Here’s how you can watch and stream Man on Wire (Documentary) via streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video, Hulu and Peacock.
Is Man on Wire (Documentary) available to watch via streaming?
Yes, Man on Wire (Documentary) is available to watch via streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Peacock.
The documentary is a fascinating exploration of Petit’s daring feat, which he referred to as “le coup”. Petit, along with a small group of accomplices, meticulously planned and executed the high-wire walk, which was carried out 1,350 feet above the ground, without any safety measures. The documentary is based on Petit’s own book, “To Reach the Clouds.” It’s about the indomitable human spirit, the relentless pursuit of a dream, and the artistry that goes into turning that dream into reality. The film captures the tension, the excitement, and the sheer audacity of Petit’s act, making it a compelling watch.
The title, “Man on Wire,” is derived from the police report following Petit’s arrest after his breathtaking performance that lasted for almost an hour. The documentary is a testament to human audacity and artistic expression. It’s a story of a man who dared to dream, dared to defy the impossible, and in doing so, created a moment of beauty that will forever be etched in history.
The documentary masterfully combines rare footage, still photographs, re-enactments, and interviews with the participants. It features the following individuals:
- Philippe Petit: A high-wire artist from France, known for his audacious walk between the Twin Towers.
- Jean François Heckel: An accomplice of Petit in his daring act.
- Jean-Louis Blondeau: A friend from Petit’s childhood who also served as an accomplice.
- Annie Allix: The person Petit was dating at the time.
The documentary also features David Forman, Alan Welner, Barry Greenhouse, Jim Moore, and Mark Lewis.
Watch Man on Wire (Documentary) streaming via Amazon Prime Video
Man on Wire (Documentary) is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video. It is a video streaming service operated by Amazon. An Amazon Prime subscription includes Prime Video perks. Amazon Prime Video features exclusive material including Amazon Original Shows.
You can watch via Amazon Prime Video by following these steps:
- Go to Amazon Prime Video
- Select ‘Sign in’ and ‘Create your Amazon account’
- Sign up for a Prime Video membership:
- $14.99 per month or $139 per year with an Amazon Prime membership
- $8.99 per month for a standalone Prime Video membership
Amazon Prime is the online retailer’s paid service that provides fast shipping and exclusive sales on products, so the membership that includes both this service and Prime Video is the company’s most popular offering. However, you can also opt to subscribe to Prime Video separately.
Watch Man on Wire (Documentary) streaming via Hulu
Man on Wire (Documentary) is available to watch on Hulu. As a popular streaming platform, Hulu provides a wide range of content, including movies, TV series, original content, and live TV. It is owned by The Walt Disney Company.
You can watch via Hulu by following these steps:
- Go to Hulu.com/welcome
- Select ‘Start Your Free Trial’
- Choose a plan:
- $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year (With Ads)
- $17.99 per month (No Ads)
Hulu (With Ads) is the cheapest option, providing users access to Hulu’s streaming library with commercials. Hulu (No Ads) is the service’s premium option, providing access to its library without any advertisements. There are also several bundles available with Hulu that pair the service with Disney Plus and ESPN Plus, along with Live TV plans that also include many live TV channels.
Watch Man on Wire (Documentary) streaming via Peacock
Man on Wire (Documentary) is available to watch on Peacock. NBCUniversal-operated Peacock is an on-demand streaming service. It includes television shows, movies, original series, live sports, and news programs.
You can watch via Peacock by following these steps:
- Go to PeacockTV.com
- Click ‘Get Started’
- Choose your payment plan
- $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year (premium)
- $11.99 per month or $119.99 per year (premium plus)
- Create your account
- Enter your payment details
Peacock’s Premium account provides access to over 80,000+ hours of TV, movies, and sports, including current NBC and Bravo Shows, along with 50 always-on channels. Premium Plus is the same plan but with no ads (save for limited exclusions), along with allowing users to download select titles and watch them offline and providing access to your local NBC channel live 24/7.
The Man on Wire (Documentary) synopsis is as follows:
“On August 7th 1974, French tightrope walker Philippe Petit stepped out on a high wire, illegally rigged between New York’s World Trade Center twin towers, then the world’s tallest buildings. After nearly an hour of performing on the wire, 1,350 feet above the sidewalks of Manhattan, he was arrested. This fun and spellbinding documentary chronicles Philippe Petit’s “highest””
NOTE: The streaming services listed above are subject to change. The information provided was correct at the time of writing.
