Daredevils – The Human Bird
Channel 4 Series About Those who Take Life Threatening Risks
Sep 14, 2009
What would you risk your life for? Some would choose to save another, others would do it for entertainment and a handful just wouldn’t do it regardless of the consequences. Some people however, like Jeb Corliss the subject in the first episode of a new Channel 4 series Daredevils exploring what makes folk take part in crazy stunts, do it for the simple thrill.
For those not aware of the name he is a BASE jumper and this documentary follows his attempt to dive down the Matterhorn in Switzerland wearing a winged Teflon suit and only release his parachute at the last possible second. A mad idea by anyone’s standards but Corliss suffers from counterphobia – which is a desire to confront ones fears – hence why he’s already completed jumps off the top of the Eiffel Tower and the Space Needle in Seattle.
Jeb Corliss the Human Bird
Corliss is clearly an eccentric guy who enjoys what he does and these are the people who deserve to have documentaries made about them as they usually prove to be fascinating characters. The timing of this series, narrated by the incredible John Simm, couldn’t have been better given its opportunity to exploit the success and acclaimed laid on Man on Wire and the recent high profile building climbs by French Spider-Man Alain Robert.
The mission statement for this show is to investigate what makes daredevils tick and this succeeds somewhat in trying to portray a complex mind. Corliss puts it on his upbrining, explains
ing that his parents travelled the world when he was younger so he was constantly “the new kid” at school and felt an outcast. Once he reached 16 he became depressed and suicidal, the latter leading him to his career of taking dangerous but extraordinary risks in his search for death.
Corliss Empire State Building Jump
The Human Bird also showed footage of how his friend and fellow BASE jumper Dwain Weston died during a previous flying attempt, with Corliss stating that this encouraged him to carry on his work. When he gets round to telling his parents about the Matterhorn they understand that it is his dream and would accept, with some reluctance, that he would die doing what he wants to do. Although his step dad was visibly annoyed when Jeb wouldn’t acknowledge that his mother might be a little scared of losing her child.
Her fear is understandable based on his past record. In 2006 Corliss wanted to jump off the Empire State Building but was grabbed before he could take off, which could have killed him. This eventually led to him being arrested for reckless endangerment and despite a post-9/11 New York taking anger for his actions he managed to avoid prison. “That was truly terrifying” he said upon exiting the court room.
Things didn’t go well in the lead up to his latest stunt either. A final practise in Italy goes wrong as he winds up in a tree and breaks his hand yet nonchalantly proclaims that he’s still continuing his Matterhorn stunt as it’s not really a necessary component.
Matterhorn BASE Jump
Some of the footage bordered on petrifying and breathtaking as he whizzes past rocks, trees and the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, so too were the first person “on board” shots as Corliss falls through the air at tremendous speed. When it finally happened the Matterhorn leap itself was spectacular and definitely worth the 50 minute wait. So to was the bizarre and frank Keith Meets Keith (Allen and Floyd) shown directly afterwards.
If that’s not good enough Channel 4 has even dusted off the exceptional Red Riding Trilogy for a repeat showing over this weekend. Then again they had to do something to make up for another dull outing of dead in the water “reality” series Big Brother.
Daredevils in on Channel 4 every Monday at 9pm.
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