On G List of Movie Reviews

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The Gypsy Moths (1969)

Rate: 6
Viewed: 7/24

GypsyM
7/24: The best movie on skydiving?

It has to be The Gypsy Moths. Gene Hackman and Scott Wilson capitalize on their fame from Bonnie and Clyde and In Cold Blood, respectively, to star in this. But really, the highlight of the show is the pairing of Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr. Seeing them together made me want to revisit From Here to Eternity afterwards. I didn't realize it was Bonnie Bedelia playing Annie; she looked very young, and it's her screen debut.

Here's the mistake: Hollywood cannot kill off the main star when there's plenty of time left. Once that happened to Burt Lancaster, The Gypsy Moths ran out of gas. Hence, the filmmakers should've prolonged the drama between Burt Lancaster's and Deborah Kerr's characters and put his death scene toward the end just before Gene Hackman's nice analogy about wearing the cape suit to make for a fitting conclusion of what it's all about.

Elsewhere, the cinematography is outstanding, especially when the skydivers are in the air against the landscape background of Kansas. If the film deserved an Oscar nomination, it's this one which was handled by Philip H. Lathrop. Also, I like Burt Lancaster's lesson on how the parachute works. It should've been done more often in other films.

All in all, although depressing, The Gypsy Moths is worth watching for a lot of reasons.