Listen It had all the glamour, conspiracy, and danger of a classic heist movie, but it was real – and the hero was wearing slippers.
Long before 9/11, Philippe Petit’s unauthorized walk on a tightrope between the World Trade Center towers in 1974 transfixed the world. It later became the subject of the 2009 Oscar-winning documentary Man on Wire.
Kurt Andersen visits the site of the walk (now Ground Zero) with Petit and director James Marsh. “I was a young wire-walker busy conquering an idea.” Petit explains, “I never thought of the consequences.”
(Originally aired: July 25, 2008)
Video: Philippe Petit walks between the Twin Towers – a clip from Man On Wire
Decade 9/11
Explore all of the stories, music, images and events surrounding the tenth anniversary of 9/11 from New York Public Radio: WNYC, WQXR and The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space.
Get news reports and interviews.
Explore photos and slide shows.
Stream exclusive video.
Music, stories and archived audio.
Find and attend related events.
Participate in our 9/11 projects.
View Content »
The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!