Man on a Tightrope (1953)

One of my all time favorites.

A Masterpiece!

Blistering performances.

The acting in this movie is really good.

How have I missed this one? Amazing cast, gritty photography, wonderful post-war realism. I was getting ready for work while watching and actually was 5 minutes late because I had to make sure that the circus made it across the border! Black and white cinematography was central to the depiction of the Soviet regime as gray and monolithic, even in the face of the beautiful Czech countryside (as portrayed by southern Germany). Frederic March was excellent, but the biggest surprise was Gloria Grahame. She was marvelous, portraying the circus manager's wife with more depth and complexity than in some of her other films. Kazan as director and Waxman as composer should not have been a surprise when I saw the complete credits. It is a thoroughly professional and subtle film. I hope to watch it again and catch the very beginning.

Fredric March is a "Man on a Tightrope" in this 1953 film also starring Terry Moore, Gloria Grahame, Adolphe Menjou, Richard Boone and Cameron Mitchell, Directed by Elia Kazan, this black and white film is about circus performers who and a daring plan to escape to Germany from Communist-controlled Czechoslovakia. The manager of the circus, Karel Czernik (Fredric March) is a seemingly weak man - in fact, his second wife (Grahame) detests him for it. When he's called before Communist authorities for one or another infraction committed by the circus, he's deferential and nervous. Behind all this, he has been planning the escape of the entire circus from Czechoslovakia for three years. Only a few people know - but when the Commmunists ask about a radio owned by Czernik, he realizes one of his friends is probably a traitor, though he can't accept it. He also has trouble accepting his daughter's (Terry Moore) taste in men (Cameron Mitchell).I visited Czechoslovakia eight years ago. The thought of that beautiful country and those charming, stunning people having to live for so long under Communist rule is a heartbreaking thought. This film really brought it home.One thing immediately noticeable about "Man on a Tightrope" is the circus and the depressing Eastern Europe atmosphere, heightened by the black and white photography and the broken-down circus. Then there is the look of the people in the circus - these aren't actor's faces, these are the faces of real people. Kazan used a real-life circus, the Brumbach Circus, for background and performances. You can almost feel the dust and the oppression of working under Communist rule.Fredric March gives a wonderful performance as Karel, a true actor who appears to bow to the Communists and yet is no weakling. His love for both his wife and daughter is apparent, as is his determination to get out of the country and concern for the performers. Gloria Grahame is sexy and flirty as his wife, who has her eye on the lion tamer, until she realizes the stuff her husband is made of. Moore and Mitchell are convincing lovers. Adolphe Menjou, as a Communist official, is very good as the only one who pierces the act that March is putting on. Smart men bear watching, and so do nice men. Cernik is both.Apparently due to the political climate at the time, this film wasn't widely shown or publicized. I caught it on Fox Movie Channel - hopefully FMC will be on more basic cable in the country, and also hopefully Fox will bring this film out on DVD. It deserves to be seen.

I am commenting on the comments I have just read and I salute all of them. This modest movie stirred my heart and soul. It has been a very long time since I saw it for perhaps the third time and I have looked in vain for a VHS never mind DVD (although that would be great).Of course, this is purely sentimental (I suppose) but the most rending moments are when this little rag-tag circus is approaching the guard house on the border, announcing themselves, "This is the Circus Cernik This is the Circus Cernik" while the few musicians play the "Moldau." The film is well done with a perfect cast and a satisfying conclusion.Judging by the small number of comments, I can only guess that not too many people have seen this wonderful film. I think I will write to TurnerClassicMovies and see if they won't find a way to get this movie on their TV view-list.

I've seen this movie several times over the years, usually on American Movie Classics or as a commercialized network movie. To me, the movie is a real classic, with wonderful acting and a most interesting plot and story. It would be very easy to imagine such an event taking place under those less than ideal times in the Eastern Bloc. I am surprised, and disappointed, that this movie classic is not out on video. If it should ever be released to video, I would prefer that it be issued on DVD (hint,hint in case a studio should look in).