Breathtaking photography and early Robert Redford
“Downhill Racer,&#34; a scripted film shot in documentary style, is a look at the glamor of international ski racing. Robert Redford stars as David Chappellet, a ruthlessly ambitious skier competing for Olympic gold with an underdog American team in Europe. Gene Hackman (“The French Connection”), in a supporting role, plays Coach Claire, who tries to temper Chappellet’s narcissistic drive for glory.<br /><br />With a screenplay by James Salter, “Downhill Racer” is a vivid character study enriched by some breathtakingly beautiful cinematography. It marks the feature debut of director Michael Ritchie, who would go on to direct “Prime Cut,” “The Candidate” (also with Redford), “Smile” and “Fletch,” among others.<br /><br />This is the first feature film Robert Redford developed for himself, and he did much of the skiing. The downhill runs are filmed and edited in such a way that the viewer feels the rush of the sport. Several shots are from the point of view of the skier. Redford’s Chappellet is arrogant, handsome, self-assured, and highly competitive — all qualities that help him rise in the sport. His character never seems a romanticized version of a skier. The movie also takes us behind the scenes of the industry behind the sport. Raising money for the national team is top priority even as the team travels from one contest to another.<br /><br />The contrast between Chappellet and Claire provides the film’s primary dramatic conflict. Though Claire is turned off by Chappellet’s attitude, he knows that the skier’s ambition is the team’s single best chance for victory. There’s also a romantic subplot that simply can’t compete with the film’s terrific action sequences.<br /><br />Bonus content on the restored high-definition digital transfer Blu-ray edition includes interviews from 2009 with Robert Redford, screenwriter James Salter, and former downhill skier Joe Jay Jalbert, who served as a technical adviser, ski double, and camera operator; audio excerpts from a 1977 American Film Institute seminar with director Michael Ritchie; “How Fast?,” a 12-minute promotional featurette from 1969; and a critical essay.
The movie title "Downhill Racer (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]," available on None, has received an average rating of 4.4 from 196 reviewers. 
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This title falls under the categories of Movies & TV, Featured Categories, Blu-ray and Drama. 
The additional details include the following in key-value format :
 {"Genre": "Drama", "Format": "Blu-ray", "Contributor": "Gene Hackman, Robert Redford, Michael Ritchie, Dabney Coleman", "Language": "English (Dolby Digital 1.0)", "Runtime": "1 hour and 41 minutes", "Aspect Ratio": "1.78:1", "Is Discontinued By Manufacturer": "No", "MPAA rating": "PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)", "Product Dimensions": "0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 2.88 Ounces", "Item model number": "Relay time: 96min", "Director": "Michael Ritchie", "Media Format": "Blu-ray", "Run time": "1 hour and 41 minutes", "Release date": "December 1, 2015", "Actors": "Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, Dabney Coleman", "Subtitles": "English", "Studio": "Criterion Collection (Direct)", "Number of discs": "1"}

Here is a brief synopsis of the title : Astonishing Alpine location photography and a young Robert Redford (The Sting) in one of his earliest starring roles are just two of the visual splendors of Downhill Racer, the visceral debut feature by Michael Ritchie (The Bad News Bears). In a beautifully understated performance, Redford is David Chappellet, a ruthlessly ambitious skier competing for Olympic gold with an underdog American team in Europe, and Gene Hackman (The French Connection) provides tough support as the coach who tries to temper the upstart’s narcissistic drive for glory. With a subtle screenplay by the acclaimed novelist James Salter, Downhill Racer is a vivid character portrait, buoyed by breathtakingly fast and furious imagery that places the viewer directly in the mind of the competitor. BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES • High-definition digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack • Interviews from 2009 with actor Robert Redford, screenwriter James Salter, editor Richard Harris, production manager Walter Coblenz, and former downhill skiier Joe Jay Jalbert, who served as a technical adviser, ski double, and cameraman on the film • Audio excerpts from a 1977 American Film Institute seminar with director Michael Ritchie • How Fast?, a rare twelve-minute promotional feature from 1969 • Trailer • PLUS: An essay by critic Todd McCarthy.