The Great Waldo Pepper

A World War I veteran pilot and stuntman, Robert Redford plays Waldo Pepper, a disaffected fighter ace who tangles with rival barnstormer Axel Olsson (Bo Svenson) after being grounded by an inspector of the newly formed Air Commerce division. In an effort to attract bigger crowds, Waldo joins Doc Dillhoefer's Flying Circus and hires Mary Beth (Susan Sarandon) as a sexy attraction. However, tragedy strikes when Mary Beth freezes up on her flying stunt, leading to a series of accidents that ultimately result in Ezra's death and Waldo's permanent grounding.