Man on a Tightrope
“It's true! The stranger-than-fiction story that screams with SUSPENSE!”
Synopsis
The owner of an impoverished circus in Communist-ruled Czechoslovokia plots to flee across the border to freedom, taking his entire troupe of performers and wild animals with him.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Guest Programmer Dana Delany on “Once a Thief” and “Man on a Tightrope” (Clip) | NoirvemberOfficial
Type: Featurette • Published 2025-11-27
Top Cast
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Release History & Theatrical Window
Los Angeles, California
Festival / Special Debut
June 4, 1953
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Elia Kazan
- Screenplay & Story
- Neil Paterson, Robert E. Sherwood
- Original Score
- Franz Waxman
- Original Title
- Man on a Tightrope
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 45m
- Production Studios
- 20th Century Fox, Bavaria Film
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Elia Kazan
Neil Paterson, Robert E. Sherwood
Franz Waxman
Georg Krause
Dorothy Spencer
Robert L. Jacks
Department Leadership Roster
Elia Kazan
Director
Dorothy Spencer
Editor
Robert E. Sherwood
Writer
Franz Waxman
Original Music Composer
Georg Krause
Director of Photography
Ursula Maes
Costume Design
Robert L. Jacks
Producer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
NR: Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Man on a Tightrope.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Man on a Tightrope
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Man on a Tightrope about?
The owner of an impoverished circus in Communist-ruled Czechoslovokia plots to flee across the border to freedom, taking his entire troupe of performers and wild animals with him.
Who directed Man on a Tightrope?
Man on a Tightrope was directed by Elia Kazan.
Who stars in Man on a Tightrope?
The principal cast of Man on a Tightrope includes Fredric March, Terry Moore, Gloria Grahame, Cameron Mitchell, Adolphe Menjou.
When was Man on a Tightrope released and how long is it?
Man on a Tightrope was released in 1953 with a total runtime of 1h 45m.
Who composed the musical score for Man on a Tightrope?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Man on a Tightrope was composed by Franz Waxman.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Man on a Tightrope?
Man on a Tightrope holds official age classifications: US: NR (Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.).