Robert Redford’s film Downhill Racer stands as a pivotal moment in his career and in the history of independent cinema, embodying his struggles and ambitions as both an actor and filmmaker. Debuting in 1969, this sports drama not only marked Redford’s first venture into independent film but also became the foundation that inspired the creation of the Sundance Institute and Festival. Each year during the Sundance Film Festival, held near the Wasatch Mountains in Utah, Redford connected with filmmakers to support their creative journeys, an effort rooted in the challenges he faced while making Downhill Racer.
The Struggles Behind Making Downhill Racer
The journey to making Downhill Racer was fraught with obstacles for Robert Redford, who had to fight Paramount Pictures to realize his vision. Unlike his blockbuster success with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, which brought him widespread fame, this independent film represented a much more personal and difficult endeavor. Redford’s commitment to the project became a catalyst for his later efforts to nurture independent filmmakers through the Sundance Institute.
In a special screening at the Ray Theatre in Park City during the festival’s final Utah run, Amy Redford spoke about her father’s struggles and passion. She highlighted how his character, David Chappellet, an ambitious and often unlikable skier, broke conventional Hollywood stereotypes. The character’s arrogance and single-minded pursuit of success defied the audience’s desire to see a charismatic star, reflecting Redford’s own desire to explore complexity and imperfection on screen.
Amy Redford recalled,
“The character is imperfect, and the industry didn’t want to see an imperfect Bob Redford,”
emphasizing how the film industry preferred more polished and marketable images of its stars. She added,
“He was always trying to have the freedom to investigate imperfection, humanity. But because people cherished him as the star, there wasn’t a lot of room for that. So I think part of his drive to support writers and filmmakers who were interested in investigating complex characters was so that (filmmakers) beyond him might be able to have the opportunity to do that, still work, still have that freedom.”
The filmmaking techniques used in Downhill Racer were also groundbreaking. Amy praised the innovative camerawork, explaining that the decision to mount cameras on skis and capture real-time action was revolutionary, creating an immersive experience that felt almost like a documentary, which added authenticity to the drama.
Longstanding Narratives of Challenges at Sundance
For over two decades, festival programmer John Nein witnessed Robert Redford recount the turbulent process behind creating Downhill Racer at the Directors Brunch during Sundance. Nein described the story as evolving slightly each year but remaining fundamentally the same, portraying Redford as a masterful storyteller who engaged audiences with honesty and humor about the film’s production difficulties.
“It’s a fantastic story. It would change in little ways year to year — in great ways,”
Nein said with a laugh.
“He was a great storyteller.”
The festival organizers pieced together archival footage of Redford sharing these stories over the years, providing audiences the chance to hear about his struggles directly from him. These stories highlighted the relentless battle Redford faced not only with studio executives but also in pushing the boundaries of cinematic storytelling and technical innovation.
Robert Redford’s Personal Reflections and Encouragement
In a montage of clips spanning 2002 to 2018, Redford candidly addressed filmmakers about the difficulties he endured while making Downhill Racer. He conveyed empathy, having been through the behind-the-scenes challenges firsthand, and encouraged others to hold steadfast.
“Just want to share with you that I have been there and I know what it feels like, and so I’m empathetic — not just sympathetic,”
Redford said.
“It is always tough because of what you, the filmmaker, are putting on the line.”
His choice of skiing as the film’s subject was deliberate, driven by the sport’s combination of poetry and danger. Redford explained,
“I was an actor in the industry, and there was no independent world, and I began to want, and have the urge, to tell my own story, in my own way. To get that idea I chose skiing because I thought the visual capabilities of skiing had poetry and danger, and that was beautiful.”
Despite his passion, the studio showed little enthusiasm, forcing Redford to finance parts of the film himself and undertake covert filming at the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France. He and a hired photographer disguised themselves to capture authentic footage crucial to the film’s atmosphere.
Redford’s resourcefulness extended to improvised props, such as modifying a motorcycle helmet with silver tape and adding “USA” to achieve the right look onscreen, highlighting the scrappiness required to complete the project.
The initial screening of Downhill Racer was tense for Redford. He recalled the disheartening moment when viewers began to leave early, mistaking the film as only about skiing. The slow emptying of the theater was painful for him, capturing the challenge of presenting a complex, imperfect story to an audience with preconceived expectations.
“Pretty soon whole rows were getting up,”
he said.
“And I watched that theater empty in front of my eyes, along with my insides.”
Yet, through these trials, Redford maintained his belief in persevering. His message to filmmakers was simple but powerful:
“I wanted to tell that story to share with you that it wasn’t always easy for someone that maybe it looks like it was, Stay the course. It’s going to be OK.”
Redford closed his comments with a line from poet T.S. Eliot, inspiring those who create art to focus on effort rather than outcome:
“There’s only the trying, the rest is not our business.”
He offered a blessing, underscoring his lifelong dedication to supporting artists. And that’s who we are, he said. So, God bless.
The Lasting Impact of Downhill Racer and Sundance
Downhill Racer holds a unique place not just as a film but as the spark that ignited Redford’s commitment to independent filmmaking. The struggles he faced encapsulate his larger drive to provide space for diverse, complex stories and characters, a vision reflected annually at the Sundance Film Festival. The festival and institute have grown into vital platforms for creatives navigating the challenging film industry landscape — a legacy directly traceable to the obstacles and triumphs Redford experienced while making this groundbreaking film.
Returning to Downhill Racer for a special screening in its final Sundance Utah run underscores the enduring significance of the movie and the spirit it embodies. It reminds viewers and filmmakers alike that perseverance in the face of rejection can lead to transformative change, not only in art but in the institutions that support it.
