The X-15 ready to go

Movie
German title	The X-15 ready to go
Original title	X-15
Country of production	United States
original language	English
Publishing year	1961
length	106 minutes
Age rating	FSK 12
Rod
Director	Richard Donner
script	Tony Lazzarino James Warner Bellah
production	Tony Lazzarino Henry W. Sanicola Frank Sinatra Howard W. Koch
music	Nathan Scott
camera	Carl E. Guthrie
cut	Stanley Rabjohn
occupation
David McLean : Matt Powell Charles Bronson : Lt. Col. Lee Brandon Ralph Taeger : Maj. Ernest Wilde Brad Dexter : Maj. Anthony Rinaldi Kenneth Tobey : Col. Craig Brewster James Gregory : Tom Deparma Mary Tyler Moore : Pamela Stewart Patricia Owens : Margaret Brandon Lisabeth Hush : Diane Wilde Stanley Livingston : Mike Brandon Lauren Gilbert : Col. Jessup Phil Dean : Maj. McCully Chuck Stanford : Lt. Cmdr. Joe Lacrosse Patty McDonald : Susan Brandon James Stewart : as a narrator

The X-15 ready to go (Original title: X-15 ) is an American science fiction film directed by Richard Donner from 1961 with David McLean , Charles Bronson , Ralph Taeger and Brad Dexter in the lead roles. The film was produced by Essex Productions for the MGM production company based on a story by Tony Lazzarino , who also wrote the script.

action

The experimental X-15 program at Edwards Air Force Base also includes die-hard test pilots : Matt Powell, Lt. Col. Brandon Lee, and Maj. Ernest Wilde. The high-speed program is overseen by Project Leader Tom Deparma and US Air Force Col. Craig Brewster. For the planned rocket launch , starting from a Boeing B-52 , the test pilots experience psychological and physical stresses that they share with their wives and friends.

Testing is done at the limit. Setbacks, including a near-disaster when an engine exploded on the ground, put the nerves of everyone involved to a tough test. But the daring program is beginning to bear fruit more and more. The X-15 sets speed and altitude records. Skilful handling of the X-15 ultimately leads to a safe landing and saves Powell's life, but Lt. Col. Brandon is killed in the crash of a machine. Powell himself then flies the X-15 out into space for the final test.

Reviews

“The use of test pilots on an American site for test missiles. Predominantly technically oriented feature film, whose scant interest in the private life of the pilots cannot provide a sufficient counterbalance. "

- Lexicon of international film

Production notes

The special effects came from Gerald T. Boylan, Jack Freeman, Robert L. Loahff, A. Paul Pollard, and Raymond P. Santini. The buildings are by Rolland M. Brooks. Victor B. Appel was the sound engineer. The equipment was created by Arden Cripe and Harold Michelson. Wesley Jeffries supplied the costumes. Bernard Ponedel and Mary Westmoreland were responsible for the makeup and hairstyles. Production manager was John Pommer. The location was Edwards Air Force Base in California , USA .

World premieres

• USA: December 22, 1961
• Germany: March 30, 1962

literature

• The X-15 ready to go. In: The relationship between young people and war film: a contribution to the pedagogy of journalism , by Heribert Schlinker, Perlinger 1965, p. 172

Web links

• The X-15 ready in the Internet Movie Database (English)
• The X-15 ready to go in: Cinema

Individual evidence

1. ↑ The X-15 ready to go. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed March 2, 2017 .  
2. ↑ World premieres according to IMDb