Based on the real-life development of the title aircraft, this dramatization shows us what happens as various civilian and military personnel test their rocket-powered aircraft that, it is hoped, can reach the outer edge of our atmosphere and then make it into space. In the process, the planes will set records in terms of altitude & speed.
Given a documentary-style approach at first (including narration spoken by Jimmy Stewart), this is certainly quite interesting to watch, but it takes a while for the picture to start injecting more heart & humanity into the story, by including moments from the test pilots' private lives. The civilian overseer of the project (James Gregory, "The Manchurian Candidate") and an Air Force colonel (Kenneth Tobey, "The Thing from Another World") have their concerns as to whether these men will be truly mentally & emotionally stable for their mission.
Charles Bronson, playing one of the test pilots, is his usual stoic self, but he does have some good scenes with young Stanley Livingston ('My Three Sons'), who plays Bronsons' son. It's also a treat to see a very young Mary Tyler Moore, who is cast as the worried girlfriend of Matt Powell (David McLean, "Kingdom of the Spiders"). Other familiar faces include Ralph Taeger (the 'Hondo' TV series), Brad Dexter ("The Magnificent Seven"), and Patricia Owens ("The Fly").
Also giving "X-15" curiosity value is that it was the theatrical debut for budding young director Richard Donner ("Superman", "Lethal Weapon", etc.), although he would continue to work in TV until the 70s, when his feature film career really took off.
Unlike some features that sort of rest on the edge of the science-fiction genre, this has a real feel of authenticity, seeing that it was based in fact and because NASA and the Air Force did extend their co-operation in the making of this movie.
Nowadays, even fans of the cast & director might draw a blank if you bring this one up. I won't try to tell you that it's some lost classic, but it's still entertaining enough to warrant a viewing for curious individuals.
Seven out of 10.
Given a documentary-style approach at first (including narration spoken by Jimmy Stewart), this is certainly quite interesting to watch, but it takes a while for the picture to start injecting more heart & humanity into the story, by including moments from the test pilots' private lives. The civilian overseer of the project (James Gregory, "The Manchurian Candidate") and an Air Force colonel (Kenneth Tobey, "The Thing from Another World") have their concerns as to whether these men will be truly mentally & emotionally stable for their mission.
Charles Bronson, playing one of the test pilots, is his usual stoic self, but he does have some good scenes with young Stanley Livingston ('My Three Sons'), who plays Bronsons' son. It's also a treat to see a very young Mary Tyler Moore, who is cast as the worried girlfriend of Matt Powell (David McLean, "Kingdom of the Spiders"). Other familiar faces include Ralph Taeger (the 'Hondo' TV series), Brad Dexter ("The Magnificent Seven"), and Patricia Owens ("The Fly").
Also giving "X-15" curiosity value is that it was the theatrical debut for budding young director Richard Donner ("Superman", "Lethal Weapon", etc.), although he would continue to work in TV until the 70s, when his feature film career really took off.
Unlike some features that sort of rest on the edge of the science-fiction genre, this has a real feel of authenticity, seeing that it was based in fact and because NASA and the Air Force did extend their co-operation in the making of this movie.
Nowadays, even fans of the cast & director might draw a blank if you bring this one up. I won't try to tell you that it's some lost classic, but it's still entertaining enough to warrant a viewing for curious individuals.
Seven out of 10.
