Touching the Void
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Movie Reviews of Touching the Void
Movie Review: "Somebody up there likes me "
Summary: 5 Stars
When I saw this movie was at one of the Local Theatres I jumped at the chance to watch it on a Big Screen (it was actually the same one I saw "Downfall"at but that came later).I had not read the Book but had heard rumours of the Story ,I was utterly spellbound when the camera started rolling ,the attitude on both climbers was incredible. Seemingly oblivious to the actual near impossible feat they were about to encounter ,there pioneering whatever it takes philosophy was wonderful and motivational .I will not go into the outcome because the reader would not believe it!...you have to watch the movie (get the DVD well worth it),the one troubling part I had was "Joe" while he was in
one of his MANY DIRE situations stated that even though he had been raised a Catholic he never Prayed or asked for help or thought about God when he needed him most ?,that just seems so strange ?because in my experience even the most ardent NON believers when they are overwhelmed with fear and up against unimaginable odds they automatically think of a higher power its the code of survival in Mans Reptilian core(Watch the "Endurance" Shackletons legendary Antarctic Expedition). When I finally read the Book (Highly recommended)in the preface written by Chris Bonnington which was a Tribute to BOTH Joe and Simon ,he put into professional context just how remarkable this expedition was .
Movie Review: Beautiful, Frightening and Mind-Boggling
Summary: 5 Stars
There are few documentaries that can truly take your breath away and "Touching The Void" is a masterpiece. The true story of British mountain climbers of Joe Simpson and Simon Yates balances story telling, suspense and brilliant photography without falling down. Their decision to be the first climbers of Peru's Siula Grande via an arguably unapproachable ascent blends bravery and madness. What got these arrogant climbers into trouble? What happened on that mountain when both `knew' they would die? How could either of them survive? Most intriguing is how could a man locked in a deep lightless crevasse with a severely broken leg get miles down the mountain and glacier? It's all told with interviews with both climbers spliced in between truly remarkable cinematography. The panoramic views and the treachery of the mountains weather are captured like no other film has done before. It is a nail-biter.The extras are wonderful as well. How this film was made is another exercise in major accomplishments and "Return to Siula Grande" is startling when trying to understand these two men's emotions after such an ordeal. They both were tested on their personal beliefs in God and mortality. Their conclusions will surprise you. It was clearly the event of their lives. Recorded in Dolby 5.1, the sound adds a level of realism unlike most films.
Movie Review: Riveting documentary not a docudrama
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a pretty amazing story of two young mountain climbers with big ambitions and even bigger misfortunes. A pair of climbers successfuly summit the 21,000 foot Siula Grande in the Andes. Upon their descent one of the climbers slips and breaks his knee. The other climber is forced to lower his wounded partner down the mountain with a pair of ropes. Along the way further mishaps occur and the one climber is forced to cut the rope and leave the other climber "presumably" for dead.
This is a documentary and not a "docudrama" as other reviewers have described. The story is moved along completely by narration from the two climbers and another person that stayed at the base camp to watch their things. Two climbers go through the motions of the story to bring the narration to life. They are not acting out in a "dramatic" sense what happened (an example of this would be Band of Brothers).
Its hard to judge the actions of the person that cuts the rope. The one person that was there and new exactly what was happening defends his friend to this day and say he would have done the same. I probably would have too. I am impressed with the man's will for life. Even if it was only to keep from dying with a really awful song stuck in his head.
Movie Review: If it came from Hollywood, nobody would believe it!
Summary: 5 Stars
This documentary had to be one of the most amazing movies I ever saw. I had heard it was a "must see" and kind of laughed when I was told how good it was, as I am generally not really into documentaries. But having the two survivors actually sitting there giving you a firsthand account(and thus you the viewer know they are alive), makes the story no less compelling, or easy to watch at points. And it should be noted that although this is a movie about climbing, it is explained in detail(thoroughly explained) so anyone can understand what took place on Siula Grande and even walk away knowing more about the sport itself.
The filming was brilliant (and beautiful), and the idea of cutting away from the actors recreating the climb to Joe Simpson and Simon Yates, was also a work of brilliance. I have added this to my DVD collection as I believe it is one of the most compelling stories I have ever heard. If someone in Hollywood had come forward with this as a script, they would have been laughed out of town.
What made this movie quite special for me is that the first time I saw it was a coffee house/movie theater in Huaraz, Peru, not far from where these events took place.
Buy or watch this film. You will not be disappointed.
Movie Review: Fantastic
Summary: 5 Stars
I read Joe Simpson's book a few years back and wasn't impressed. The impression that I got was that two young guys went up into the mountains, made some poor decisions and then were very proud of themselves after the fact. It seemed similar to Beck Weather's Left For Dead and Aaron Ralston's Between a Rock and a Hard Place in this respect.
In the film however, it is clear that neither climber was proud of what happened and that to this day they are still carrying heavy emotional baggage because of it. In my mind, the film was an ecellent showcase of human determination and emotion.
While watchin the film I had to laugh a couple of times at the absolute absurdity of the hardships endured by Simpson. If this was a fictional story I would have turned it off because it was too far fetched. However this is a true story. I can't even begin to imagine what was going on in Simpson's head as he was making his way back down the mountain after being presumed dead by his friend. I am in complete amazement.
I really liked how the reenactment was broken up with clips from interviews. It kept the film moving along at a good pace.