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The Gypsy Moths

  • 1969
  • R
  • 1h 47m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
2.5K
YOUR RATING
The Gypsy Moths (1969)
Official Trailer
Play trailer2:48
1 Video
57 Photos
Tragic RomanceActionDramaRomance

Three skydivers and their travelling thrill show barnstorm through a small midwestern town one Fourth of July weekend.Three skydivers and their travelling thrill show barnstorm through a small midwestern town one Fourth of July weekend.Three skydivers and their travelling thrill show barnstorm through a small midwestern town one Fourth of July weekend.

  • Director
    • John Frankenheimer
  • Writers
    • William Hanley
    • James Drought
  • Stars
    • Burt Lancaster
    • Deborah Kerr
    • Gene Hackman
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    2.5K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John Frankenheimer
    • Writers
      • William Hanley
      • James Drought
    • Stars
      • Burt Lancaster
      • Deborah Kerr
      • Gene Hackman
    • 46User reviews
    • 23Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro

    • Videos1

    The Gypsy Moths
    Trailer 2:48
    Watch The Gypsy Moths

    Photos57

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    Top cast15

    Edit
    Burt Lancaster
    Burt Lancaster
    • Mike Rettig
    Deborah Kerr
    Deborah Kerr
    • Elizabeth Brandon
    Gene Hackman
    Gene Hackman
    • Joe Browdy
    Scott Wilson
    Scott Wilson
    • Malcolm Webson
    William Windom
    William Windom
    • V. John Brandon
    Bonnie Bedelia
    Bonnie Bedelia
    • Annie Burke
    Sheree North
    Sheree North
    • Waitress
    Carl Reindel
    Carl Reindel
    • Pilot
    Ford Rainey
    Ford Rainey
    • Stand Owner
    John Napier
    • Dick Donford
    Wendell Burton
    • Man in Strip Club Ordering a Drink
    • (uncredited)
    Thom Conroy
    • Band Leader
    • (uncredited)
    Patty Plenty
    • Topless Dancer
    • (uncredited)
    Amzie Strickland
    Amzie Strickland
    • Women's Club Member
    • (uncredited)
    Bill Zuckert
    Bill Zuckert
    • Magistrate
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • John Frankenheimer
    • Writers
      • William Hanley
      • James Drought
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Experienced, but amateur skydivers, most with several thousand jumps to their credit, were brought in from California to double for the actors. During one take, an unexpected gust of wind pulled the chute and caused one of the skydivers to be slammed into the ground, breaking his collarbone and dislocating his shoulder. Even though in great pain, he stayed in character and managed to get up and finish the scene. He was retained by Director John Frankenheimer as a consultant.
    • Goofs
      As the plane flies over the first airfield in the film, the town's name of Bridgeville is clearly painted on the airport's hangar. The skydivers pack up, leave town, drive for what seems half a day or so to the next town, and arrive, again, in Bridgeville.
    • Quotes

      Mike Rettig: [softly] Tomorrow, when we leave here, I want you to come with me.

      Elizabeth Brandon: [clearly surprised at the request] Come with you?

      Mike Rettig: Yes.

      Elizabeth Brandon: [she makes some low sounds, and he moves toward her] Do you always offer so much more than you're asked for?

      Mike Rettig: Only to those who ask so much less than they want.

    • Alternate versions
      For the film's premier at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City, MGM removed a scene of striptease in order for the film to receive an "M" rating (suggested for mature audiences, parental description advised). This was since the Radio City Music Hall at the time would only play movies that carried a "G" or "M" rating. The scene was restored when the film played everywhere else in the United States with the rating changed to "R".
    • Connections
      Featured in The Sky Divers (1969)
    • Soundtracks
      Piano Sonata No. 16 in C-major, K. 545
      (uncredited)
      Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
      Performed by Bonnie Bedelia
      [The piano piece Annie plays in the living room]

    User reviews46

    Review
    Review
    Featured review

    Wonderful vintage skydiving sequences, interesting tale.

    Burt Lancaster, Gene Hackman, and Scott Wilson portray a team of professional sport parachutists barnstorming their way through small-town America.

    The movie features some fine performances, particularly Lancaster's. I enjoyed the way the small town was depicted; it felt curiously familiar and yet distant at the same time. The movie holds its own, even 30 years after its initial release.

    The jumping sequences are fantastic...truly the finest jump sequences ever captured on film at that time (1969). Pay particular attention to the 'cape' jumps, particularly the last one (Scott Wilson's) which gets me bug-eyed every time I see it (yes, I'm a jumper too).

    Longish and slow-moving at times but well worth it.
    • JSPrine
    • Sep 3, 1999
    • Permalink

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    FAQ14

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 3, 1969 (South Africa)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Italian
    • Also known as
      • Padobranci dolaze
    • Filming locations
      • Benton, Kansas, USA(Benton Airport)
    • Production companies
      • John Frankenheimer Productions Inc.
      • Edward Lewis Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 47 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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